OT - Wal-Mart and NASCAR, could there be a better marriage?

[Buddha4Mary]

I just find it baffling that the meeting of these 2 empires didn't come sooner.

http://nascar.speedtv.com/article/cu...r-jeff-gordon/

[cgy1]

Is there a point if the audience you want to attract with the sponsorship already shops at Wal*Mart?

[AFColt]

I honestly thought there was a Wal-Mart car.

I dunno, maybe it gets people in the door for promotions or something.

Heck, I wouldn't mind Wal-Mart sponsoring an IndyCar, if it meant having one more sponsorship in the series. Unless it's for NAMBLA or the Klan, I'd welcome Depends, Kotex, the Lifetime Channel, Preparation H or Gas-X as IndyCar sponsors if it meant seeing drivers I like race the whole season.

[Buellboy]

I love Walmart... http://www.peopleofwalmart.com/

[Wilbur Shaw]

I just find it baffling that the meeting of these 2 empires didn't come sooner.

http://nascar.speedtv.com/article/cu...r-jeff-gordon/

Gee, The number one racing series and number one retailer working together to mutually profit from their endeavor.

[CamKing]

Actually, they were looking at Indy Car sponsorship, but when they found out that most of Indy Car fans had their illigal alien house keepers doing their shopping at Walmart already(and pocketing the savings), it seemed like a waste.

[Wilbur Shaw]

nevermind

[cgy1]

Here's a current Indycar driver driving a Wal*Mart stock car:



and a Wal*Mart ChampCar:

[Truth Detector]

actually, they were looking at indy car sponsorship, but when they found out that most of indy car fans had their illigal alien house keepers doing their shopping at walmart already(and pocketing the savings), it seemed like a waste.

LOL (I have to type that because it won't let me do the freaking laughing smiley!!!!)

[Z28]

Yeah you know Walmart is doing their best to get even more customers by trying their darnedest to open several more stores, there is only one now, within the city limits of Chicago.

[NSRSBoiler]

I love Walmart... http://www.peopleofwalmart.com/

I love that site. Had it bookmarked for awhile now. Classic!

[goldie19]

Indycar types have had Kmart, Target, Amway, Mona vie. Marketing is everything. I'd welcome walmart in a heartbeat. How about Gordon, Lil E, JJ and Mark Martin accounting for 75% of sales. Yikes! No wonder Jeff won't get in an Indycar. Has way too much to lose

[Gateway Fan]

Interesting that NASCAR is looking at Wal-Mart to replace Motorsports Authentics. (I really think that is what is going on here, not a team sponsorship. JMO)

[Truth Detector]

Interesting that NASCAR is looking at Wal-Mart to replace Motorsports Authentics. (I really think that is what is going on here, not a team sponsorship. JMO)

Whatever it takes...

[11rowsof3]

The alternative isn't much better....



PS - this deal will be huge, it's for Walmart to work on exclusive licencing of diecast and apparel. You know, like having 1000's of 24 hour NASCAR gift shops open around the globe? Not a bad idea really... but if it makes you feel better to make red neck jokes, feel free.

[Formula Indy]

This is good news for me. One of the few things I dislike more than Nascar is Walmart. With them joining forces, I could dislike them simultaneously, allowing me more free time and less stress.

[SEVista]

The alternative isn't much better....



PS - this deal will be huge, it's for Walmart to work on exclusive licencing of diecast and apparel. You know, like having 1000's of 24 hour NASCAR gift shops open around the globe? Not a bad idea really... but if it makes you feel better to make red neck jokes, feel free.

The average full-time associate (30-hours plus) with a year of experience makes $1,150 a month.*

The average shopper at Wal-Mart has a gross household income of $2,472.50 a month and has an average of $3,000 plus in credit card debt.*

These diecasts can cost $50 to $200 from what I have seen in Speedgear catalogs. At Wal-Mart, they may get it down to $35 to 160 if they can get them made in China (if they aren't made there already).

What family in these times making $2,500 before taxes is going to put a $125 diecast on a regular basis in their budget?

Wal-Mart must think their customers have no common sense whatsoever. Corporate Wal-Mart would chastise me for saying that, but they have to know their customers are purchasing beyond their best self-interests. Thus, a shiny diecast shop to increase their debt load.

That isn't a ******* joke. It is a sad indictment on Wal-Mart and how even the most educated people don't put the 2 and 2 together on their economic model. They say it helps America because it sounds good. It really is a cancer on our economy. Cheap crap at moderate prices mean a larger margin en masse than a quality product at a slightly higher price. You also don't have to buy the quality product seven times because it broke.

A diecast is the last thing the average Wal-Mart shopper or floor associate needs. But, they will buy them. Don't scratch your head as to why we have a jobless recovery. Understand the Wal-Mart economic model and you will completely understand why our economy struggles to a full recovery.

*National Study, Rutgers University. 2008. Race To The Bottom: The Economics of Wal-Mart

[Wilbur Shaw]

The average full-time associate (30-hours plus) with a year of experience makes $1,150 a month.*

The average shopper at Wal-Mart has a gross household income of $2,472.50 a month and has an average of $3,000 plus in credit card debt.*

These diecasts can cost $50 to $200 from what I have seen in Speedgear catalogs. At Wal-Mart, they may get it down to $35 to 160 if they can get them made in China (if they aren't made there already).

What family in these times making $2,500 before taxes is going to put a $125 diecast on a regular basis in their budget?

Wal-Mart must think their customers have no common sense whatsoever. Corporate Wal-Mart would chastise me for saying that, but they have to know their customers are purchasing beyond their best self-interests. Thus, a shiny diecast shop to increase their debt load.

That isn't a ******* joke. It is a sad indictment on Wal-Mart and how even the most educated people don't put the 2 and 2 together on their economic model. They say it helps America because it sounds good. It really is a cancer on our economy. Cheap crap at moderate prices mean a larger margin en masse than a quality product at a slightly higher price. You also don't have to buy the quality product seven times because it broke.

A diecast is the last thing the average Wal-Mart shopper or floor associate needs. But, they will buy them. Don't scratch your head as to why we have a jobless recovery. Understand the Wal-Mart economic model and you will completely understand why our economy struggles to a full recovery.

*National Study, Rutgers University. 2008. Race To The Bottom: The Economics of Wal-Mart

I don't know where to start here;
Who do you think you are making such judgments as to what people should purchase, what they can afford, and how smart they are for making such purchases.
You talk about insulting to the all of shopper who go there. The number one retailer in the world.
They are number one because they are best at what they do.
If not Walmart then it would have been K-Mart etc.
And in where in the world is a 30 hour a week employee consider full time, France, Some union?
Educated people know 30hr work week is not full time. But, you missed that one didn't you?

[Grizzlor]

I won't step foot in a Walmart. The Walton family are the 21st century's J.D. Rockefeller. We shop at places like Bob's, Kohl's and Target, and for cheap stuff, once and awhile, KMart. I can't see the article at work, but are they saying that NASCAR is doing something exclusive with Walmart? If so, that couple open up the other stores for IndyCar.

[JKR]

nah man, walmart is BAD BAD BAD




BAD


my reason why? two words:

company store

[Wilbur Shaw]

Any one have an example of a non-evil retailer?

Why the hate?

[Jakester]

Walmart is a huge two edged sword.

On one hand, they've brought a quantity and selection of goods to mid/small towns that people who live in rural areas have never had before. And they have brought them at low prices.

One the other hand, Walmart has put a huge number of small businesses in mid/small towns out of business and has made a lot of entrepreneurs employess rather than business owners (and job creators).

Evil? Maybe/maybe not. They do have a very large number of employees that they put in the position of being very close to full time, but not close enough to get any real benefits. They have changed their attitude towards that to some degree. Walmart is also absolutely brutal on their suppliers.

[Grizzlor]

Any one have an example of a non-evil retailer?

Why the hate?

Walmart is no different than BP. They only care about maximum profit. They import tainted toys for children and pet food for pets. They ignore environmental laws, labor laws, any law if they could get away with it and make money. They're not like other retailers. I work for a non-evil retailer. Like Rockefeller, their ruling family live high on the horse in a compound, going one further. They had a giant underground shelter built, for either a nuclear attack, or perhaps in case the public got so angry with them, and decided to come after them, I don't know. They also "black mail" communities into investing millions of dollars in capital and tax breaks to get Walmart to come. Money that should go into the community, goes into Walmart. They put local businesses out of business, causing a negative economic impact.

[Formula Indy]

Any one have an example of a non-evil retailer?

Why the hate?

http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/77/walmart.html

I know for a fact that Walmart paid the attorney fees for the Chinese TV manufacturers that were using unfair trade practices to put RCA out of the TV business. There was another occurrence where they told another manufacturer that they needed to manufacture the products in China or they wouldn't sell them. What makes it more personal to me, is they market their low prices to the very same people they are putting out of work, who now require low prices because of them.

[bbaker]

Walmart would demand a tremendous amount of control in exchange for the merchandising. Not sure if any racing execs would be willing to give up that much control. I don't think may suppliers for Walmart ever do very well financially.

[CrewChief]

One question I haven't seen asked, how will this affect Target ? In all these other deals (Sprint, Sunoco, etc) NASCAR has grandfathered in direct competitors for X number of years then they had to leave. If it makes Wal Mart it's official distributer will it do the same ? Will Target not even be able to sell Target NASCAR merchandise ?

[Wilbur Shaw]

Sure a lot of mis-placed anger here.

Guys,
All retailers are the same, all maximizing profits;

From the of feel good 5 dollar cups of coffee guys
http://www.starbucksunion.org/

And this is about one of our valued sponsors
I love Target as much as Walmart
http://www.corpwatch.org/article.php?id=13508

from article:
A survey by the UFCW found that starting wages are similar in Targets and Wal-Marts -- possibly higher overall at Wal-Marts – and that Target benefits packages are often harder to qualify for and less comprehensive. (Target’s media relations department refused to comment on its wages and benefits policies; individual wages and benefits policies are not included in their annual report.)

I have never understood why we seem to have to have villians/someone or some thing to hate.
Why target Walmart only? Could it be a Red state/Blue state thing?

I've stated my case
that all I wanted to do here


Edit: Please, don't think I am advocating everyone hate Target

[11rowsof3]

One question I haven't seen asked, how will this affect Target ? In all these other deals (Sprint, Sunoco, etc) NASCAR has grandfathered in direct competitors for X number of years then they had to leave. If it makes Wal Mart it's official distributer will it do the same ? Will Target not even be able to sell Target NASCAR merchandise ?

That would be my guess with a deal this big.

[11rowsof3]

The average full-time associate (30-hours plus) with a year of experience makes $1,150 a month.*

The average shopper at Wal-Mart has a gross household income of $2,472.50 a month and has an average of $3,000 plus in credit card debt.*

These diecasts can cost $50 to $200 from what I have seen in Speedgear catalogs. At Wal-Mart, they may get it down to $35 to 160 if they can get them made in China (if they aren't made there already).

What family in these times making $2,500 before taxes is going to put a $125 diecast on a regular basis in their budget?

Wal-Mart must think their customers have no common sense whatsoever. Corporate Wal-Mart would chastise me for saying that, but they have to know their customers are purchasing beyond their best self-interests. Thus, a shiny diecast shop to increase their debt load.

That isn't a ******* joke. It is a sad indictment on Wal-Mart and how even the most educated people don't put the 2 and 2 together on their economic model. They say it helps America because it sounds good. It really is a cancer on our economy. Cheap crap at moderate prices mean a larger margin en masse than a quality product at a slightly higher price. You also don't have to buy the quality product seven times because it broke.

A diecast is the last thing the average Wal-Mart shopper or floor associate needs. But, they will buy them. Don't scratch your head as to why we have a jobless recovery. Understand the Wal-Mart economic model and you will completely understand why our economy struggles to a full recovery.

*National Study, Rutgers University. 2008. Race To The Bottom: The Economics of Wal-Mart

No the hobby or Elite version. We're talking $3.99 1/64 scale cars and $15.99 1/24 scale cars. Tee shirts, hats, the works. Really - no different from now except more selection and Walmart will control the supply and many/most will be "exclusive" to Walmart.

Stuff like this...

[CamKing]

Walmart is also absolutely brutal on their suppliers.

These Suppliers all came to Walmart. Walmart didn't come to them.
I have 3 friends that are all in charge of regional sales for their companies, and all three sell to Walmart.
Every one of them will tell you that Walmart is no worse then Target or Home Depot.

Walmart gets ripped in the media, because they're anti-union, and the media is in the union's pockets.
Walmart on average, actually pays better then the small stores the put out of business.