Thursday, February 16, 2006

 

Wal-Mart and small shops

Soony Seo
Eap2(w/w)
2/7/06
Research Paper Proposal

Wal-Mart and small shops

I became interested in Wal-Mart after reading several articles about it. Small shops tend to be nervous to the supercenter Wal-Mart because they will lose money because of Wal-Mart's cheap price and good convenience. The problem is that the small shops how should survive with a giant Wal-Mart. According to Keiser(2006), some cities don't like Wal-Mart's moving into their places, because small shops have to close their shops. On other hand, Rice(2005) explains some consumers are likely to choose cheap price. Some consumers are likely to choose convenience and some consumers are likely to choose quality even though they have to pay more.

There are various tastes in consumers. Some people worry about expansion of Wal-Mart. Everything is connected in the economy. Even though Wal-Mart has freedom to build their markets anywhere, small shops are disappearing from local economy world, the consumers will be influenced the result, for example, Wal-Mart's power of controlling price without any competitor.

I plan to write that three things should be done about Wal-Mart and the small shop. The government should not intervene in Wal-Mart's expansion to the customers for three reasons. First, consumers have the right to enjoy their low price. The government should not intervene in expansion of Wal-Mart with a low price and convenience. Most consumers like Wal-Mart's marketing, even though its quality could not satisfy them. In a free market, Wal-Mart's low price is a good strategy to attract customers, and also customers could save their money, furthermore, Wal-Mart make customers happy. The government could not prevent from erecting Wal-Mart anywhere.

Second, small shops should search their special strategy to lure the customers such as high quality or high service, because some consumers are willing to open their purse to get high quality. Small shop's unique strategies are only solution to make their problem themselves. Wal-Mart also started as a small shop without government supporting. For example, there are several small shops that have the unique strategy, such as Dollar General-lower price, Best buy-more various electric goods, Staples-more various staples etc. More competitive, better price and better quality to the customers, Wal-Mart is good innovator to improve small shop's strategies to the customers.

Third, it is natural business way to be competitive like a fierce animal world. The strongest shop would be winner, and the process make economic environment better. It means that Wal-Mart is an example of innovators in modern economy. Wal-Mart has ability to make money by its strong strategy that study the taste of consumers. Its marketing is powerful to lure customers. "Everyday low price" its slogan is very attractive to the customers. Who knows that "high quality is better that cheap thing". The economic situation is changing quickly, The small shops should not only read consumers thinking but also lead them. It is necessary for small shops to get positive and aggressive strategy to the customers without crying.

In conclusion, consumers have right to go the place where is better to them; that is why it is possible for Wal-Mart to open its shop. It is good for the consumers through competition of price and quality. There are some ways to solve this problem; some shops which have strong strategy to the customer will survive in a fierce business world. So the government should not intervene in Wal-Mart expansion.

Reference
Albright, M.(2003, October 19). Super marketing at Wal-Mart. St. Petersburg Times, FL. Retrieved January 30, 2006 from http://www.sptimes.com/2003/10/19/news-pf/Tampabay/Super_marketing_at_Wa.shtml

Kaiser, E. (2003, July 12). Some cities resisting Wal-Mart expansion. Reuters, Common Dreams News Center, Retrieved on Jan.17, 2006 from Common Dreams News Center.

Locke, E. (2003, July 12). Three cheers for Wal-Mart. Capitalism Magazine. Retrieved December 8, 2006 from http://www.capmag.com/article.asp?Id=3534

Mestas, A. A. (2005, October 6). Small-town grocer hangs up apron. The Pueblo Chieftain(Colorado). Retrieved January 23, 2005 from lexis-nexis.

Rice, M. (2005, December 13). Local families taking sides. Columbus Ledger-Enquire(GA). Retrieved January 25, 2005 from Lexis-nexis.

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