I live in an upscale area, but very near to a military base, where many of the dependents come from rural areas where Walmart is often the only game in town. Consequently, there is very high brand loyalty in this consumer group. On the rare occasion when I set foot in the store (last time about eight years ago; I've placed an online order every 2-3 years), the aisles are so narrow that two people cannot walk side by side while shopping. One wonders how they pass fire inspection.
In particular, I dread check out lines at Walmart. I've never gotten out in under 30 minutes, despite the line not appearing to be inordinately long, because nearly everyone ahead of me has a check-out issue: card declined, argument over a 30 cents off coupon, etc.
Before the K-Mart here closed down, it used to be my favorite place for variety shopping. Everything under one roof, reasonable prices (if not the lowest in town), and best of all, everyone's debit or credit card worked, so that check out was quick and efficient. I used to be kidded for "shopping with all the Mexicans", but the Mexican families I saw there were hard-working, with both parents in work uniforms and two or three very tightly controlled, well-scrubbed kids. Maybe I wouldn't want to wear the clothes they were buying, but K-Mart isn't a 99-cent store and for these families it was a matter of pride to be able to buy new clothes and stay within their budget.
In contrast, what I"d see at Walmart were women with curlers in their hair allowing their kids to run loose through the store, as if it were their own personal playground. Their dialects suggested to me that most likely they lived on base and not in town, and were not long=time residents here. I understand if dad is overseas for a six month tour, mom has all the disciplinary responsibility, but at least at Walmart the system seemed to break down.
Another reason I avoid Walmart was that I knew one of the Walton children (now deceased) personally, and he left me underwhelmed both by his intellect and his concern for others less economically fortunate. He was one of major backers of a 1993 California ballot initiative to create school vouchers for parents of kids in private schools. I could see this if there was means-testing, but why a billionaire would need tuition assistance for his kids' schooling was beyond me (the initiative failed by a wide margin). For several year we attended the same Xmas Eve gathering and I told him that year that I voted "no" as did all of my friends and all of my relatives, because the initiative seemed calculated to destroy the public school system.
I broke down and ordered a package of Persil Power-Pearls last night online, so I can give it a try like some of you have, but I refuse to set foot in the store. The $4.97 shipping/handling charge is more than worth the savings of my time, given that it is a 15-20 minute drive for me and takes 30 minutes to navigate the check-out line. (in the early 2000s there were times when every single credit card of people ahead of me in line was declined).
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