Developer wants to bring Walmart Neighborhood Market to the urban core

[The_Choose_1]

I prefer self checkout lanes myself. I also wouldn't mind having a few WNMs, Aldi's, etc. open up shop in various underserved neighborhoods.

I haven't been in the Aldi's at 1702 Blanding Blvd. Middleburg, FL 32068-3836. But I have driven by the store. And I like the way it looks outside.

[Adam White]

I prefer self checkout lanes myself. I also wouldn't mind having a few WNMs, Aldi's, etc. open up shop in various underserved neighborhoods.

Aldi and Lidl are both so cheap. Although the shopping experience isn't wonderful, the savings are pretty great.

[The_Choose_1]

When I shop for a family of 3 I buy mostly all my meat, vegetables and fresh breads at Publix and Lake Shore Produce. When it comes to can food, chips, soda's etc etc etc unless Publix has a sale on these items. I buy these at Wal$Mart or Target and save a lot of money. A box of famous Amos cookies at Publix unless it's on sale runs around $3.69 this same box at Wal$Mart is around $2.50. Wal$Mart superstores don't give you the friendly attitude that Publix does I have found.

[JaxUnicorn]

Neighborhood Walmart in the Downtown area? I volunteer the vacant grocery store building on 8th Street, near Main.

^^^  YES!  That property is perfect for a grocery store, is in the heart of Historic Springfield and is convenient to both downtown and the surrounding neighborhoods. 

[gerschea@gmail.com]

I wouldn't mind it, i wouldn't have to drive to the Phillips Highway one any more (I am a riverside resident). With that said i have never seen a Walmart spur any meaningful growth in any part of this country. The Publix in riverside is ridiculously overpriced IMO and a second option wouldn't hurt anyone. I can buy the exact same product at Walmart often for 30-40% less than the riverside Publix.

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

I'll happily overpay at Publix any day not to support Wal-Mart, or even have to set foot inside.

Over 8 years and no plans on returning. 

They can put up nicer stores in better neighborhoods, but until their employee treatment practices (real or perceived) improve, I'll continue to hold my end of the bargain.

I really wish millions of others who claimed to feel the same were able to act it as well.

[downtownbrown]

In light of Shad Khan's statement last week that  "if somebody else wants to develop the Shipyards, that would be fine...", it's hard to read that article without wondering what the Gatlins think that that property. 

[gerschea@gmail.com]

I wouldn't mind it, i wouldn't have to drive to the Phillips Highway one any more (I am a riverside resident). With that said i have never seen a Walmart spur any meaningful growth in any part of this country. The Publix in riverside is ridiculously overpriced IMO and a second option wouldn't hurt anyone. I can buy the exact same product at Walmart often for 30-40% less than the riverside Publix.

I'll happily overpay at Publix any day not to support Wal-Mart, or even have to set foot inside.

I thought this exact same thing to until i watched the documentary Food Chains on Hulu this weekend. Publix treats the people in their supply chain just as bad as Walmart. Check it out if you have free time, i was disgusted at Publix after watching it.

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

I wouldn't mind it, i wouldn't have to drive to the Phillips Highway one any more (I am a riverside resident). With that said i have never seen a Walmart spur any meaningful growth in any part of this country. The Publix in riverside is ridiculously overpriced IMO and a second option wouldn't hurt anyone. I can buy the exact same product at Walmart often for 30-40% less than the riverside Publix.

I'll happily overpay at Publix any day not to support Wal-Mart, or even have to set foot inside.

I thought this exact same thing to until i watched the documentary Food Chains on Hulu this weekend. Publix treats the people in their supply chain just as bad as Walmart. Check it out if you have free time, i was disgusted at Publix after watching it.

Supply chain does not equal employee.  Beating your suppliers up for every penny is commonplace.  If you're referring to the tomato workers...  seriously?  It's not Publix's place to step in and pay even $0.01 more than their supplier is selling it for. 

[Adam White]

I wouldn't mind it, i wouldn't have to drive to the Phillips Highway one any more (I am a riverside resident). With that said i have never seen a Walmart spur any meaningful growth in any part of this country. The Publix in riverside is ridiculously overpriced IMO and a second option wouldn't hurt anyone. I can buy the exact same product at Walmart often for 30-40% less than the riverside Publix.

I'll happily overpay at Publix any day not to support Wal-Mart, or even have to set foot inside.

I thought this exact same thing to until i watched the documentary Food Chains on Hulu this weekend. Publix treats the people in their supply chain just as bad as Walmart. Check it out if you have free time, i was disgusted at Publix after watching it.

Supply chain does not equal employee.  Beating your suppliers up for every penny is commonplace.  If you're referring to the tomato workers...  seriously?  It's not Publix's place to step in and pay even $0.01 more than their supplier is selling it for.

One could argue that it would be the ethical option, even if it's not required.

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

Supply chain does not equal employee.  Beating your suppliers up for every penny is commonplace.  If you're referring to the tomato workers...  seriously?  It's not Publix's place to step in and pay even $0.01 more than their supplier is selling it for.

One could argue that it would be the ethical option, even if it's not required.

How so?

If you're selling me a product and your employees are disgruntled because you pay shitty wages, then why is it my responsibility, as someone who buys product from you, to make sure you pay your employees more?

I don't know your margins.  I really don't care.  As a matter of fact, if someone offers me a price point below yours at the same service level, we're not doing business anymore anyhow. 

Edit for reference:

I haven't see the documentary, but What I assume to be the issue that gershea is referring to:   https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=publix%20refuses%20to%20pay%20tomato%20pickers

Here's the actual video press release:  http://www.miaminewtimes.com/restaurants/the-film-food-chains-tells-the-story-of-florida-workers-makes-publix-look-terrible-6570763

[Adam White]

Supply chain does not equal employee.  Beating your suppliers up for every penny is commonplace.  If you're referring to the tomato workers...  seriously?  It's not Publix's place to step in and pay even $0.01 more than their supplier is selling it for.

One could argue that it would be the ethical option, even if it's not required.

How so?

If you're selling me a product and your employees are disgruntled because you pay shitty wages, then why is it my responsibility, as someone who buys product from you, to make sure you pay your employees more?

I don't know your margins.  I really don't care.  As a matter of fact, if someone offers me a price point below yours at the same service level, we're not doing business anymore anyhow. 

Edit for reference:

I haven't see the documentary, but What I assume to be the issue that gershea is referring to:   https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=publix%20refuses%20to%20pay%20tomato%20pickers

Here's the actual video press release:  http://www.miaminewtimes.com/restaurants/the-film-food-chains-tells-the-story-of-florida-workers-makes-publix-look-terrible-6570763

I'm not making a comment about Walmart or Publix, per se. My comment was more general. But to answer your question, it is the ethical (or could be considered the ethical) choice for the same reason why some companies only stock (or prefer to stock) fair trade products. Some companies consider it the 'right' thing to do to make sure that the people working for their suppliers are taken care of.

Additionally, there is the issue of scale. Large companies like Walmart have a massive influence on the market - if they buy all their produce from a company that severely underpays its workers, then the other produce suppliers will either have to lower their prices to compete or go out of business. It becomes a race to the bottom.

This isn't quite the same thing, but there is an issue in the UK now where retailers are buying milk for below what it costs for farmers to produce it (well, supply it -- the cows ultimately produce it). There have been lots of protests. On the one hand, you could argue that if ASDA, Lidl and Aldi can pay what they're paying, then why should they pay more? On the other hand, it is seriously harming dairy farmers and, if it doesn't correct itself, can lead to the collapse of the British dairy industry.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-33953963

[RattlerGator]

One could argue that it would be the ethical option, even if it's not required.

Yes, one could. And one likely wouldn't be in business for long, would one?

[RattlerGator]

I haven't been in the Aldi's at 1702 Blanding Blvd. Middleburg, FL 32068-3836. But I have driven by the store. And I like the way it looks outside.
[/quote]That's not Middleburg, that's South Orange Park. Damn post office!

[Adam White]

One could argue that it would be the ethical option, even if it's not required.

Yes, one could. And one likely wouldn't be in business for long, would one?

Ask M&S or Whole Foods.