4 ms·

It's straight-up depressing. Lotto machines staring you in the face when you go in (admittedly, I've only seen this in some). The weirdly sick lighting and colo

It's straight-up depressing. Lotto machines staring you in the face when you go in (admittedly, I've only seen this in some). The weirdly sick lighting and color choices—I don't think they used to be like this, and IDK when they changed, or why, but I don't know of any other chains with this problem. The too-narrow-everything. The dirtiness of the floor and shelves. The disorder and clutter. The slow-moving beaten-looking workers. The patrons who, to a degree far greater than anywhere else, seem not to know how to exist in a public space without constantly being in the way. I'd shop there often, because the prices are great, but I hate being in Wal Mart so much that I rarely go. (I've tried the pick-up order service, twice—nearly an hour to get my damn "ready" order, both times, never again)

stonemetal12 3y ago
As far as I am aware that is what low prices get you. "prison lighting" is the lowest maintenance, lowest cost option. Too-narrow everything saves on floor space, which has real costs in air-con and lighting. Clean and tidy is a cost with a negligible benefit. Happy employees require money and R&R, not something you have a lot of at their margins.
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m463 3y ago
You're not the target market. People who want (require) the absolute lowest prices don't mind. Meanwhile you probably are the "Target" market, which seems to be a slightly more curated container-from-china with more upscale lighting, colors and maintenance. I think costco is the "gated community" version of these stores, requiring a membership to enter. A price-barrier to entry, or a commitment.
- yamtaddle 3y ago
  Aldi, Costco, three different local grocery stores depending on what I'm getting and how big a hurry I'm in, and Target if I only need a couple non-food things (that I'd otherwise get at Costco), yeah. Basically everywhere except Wal Mart. [EDIT] Hell I even go to Dollar General or Big Lots sometimes (used to go a lot when I had less money, LOL) and even those don't make me feel like my soul is being drained, like Wal Mart does. I actually kinda like them.

stonemetal12 3y ago

As far as I am aware that is what low prices get you. "prison lighting" is the lowest maintenance, lowest cost option. Too-narrow everything saves on floor space, which has real costs in air-con and lighting. Clean and tidy is a cost with a negligible benefit. Happy employees require money and R&R, not something you have a lot of at their margins.

deleted 3y ago

[deleted]

m463 3y ago

You're not the target market. People who want (require) the absolute lowest prices don't mind. Meanwhile you probably are the "Target" market, which seems to be a slightly more curated container-from-china with more upscale lighting, colors and maintenance. I think costco is the "gated community" version of these stores, requiring a membership to enter. A price-barrier to entry, or a commitment.

yamtaddle 3y ago
Aldi, Costco, three different local grocery stores depending on what I'm getting and how big a hurry I'm in, and Target if I only need a couple non-food things (that I'd otherwise get at Costco), yeah. Basically everywhere except Wal Mart. [EDIT] Hell I even go to Dollar General or Big Lots sometimes (used to go a lot when I had less money, LOL) and even those don't make me feel like my soul is being drained, like Wal Mart does. I actually kinda like them.