Wal-Mart DOES squeeze customers and DOES boost crime

Over at Political Animal, kneejerk, and nutbar, conservative poster Tbrosz was defending the business (and other) morals of Wal-Mart.

Part of this was his claim that Wally-World’s 3.5 percent profit margin (in a down year for Big Blue) was in line with American averages.

Wrong, Mr. T. Let’s take a look at what is actually true.

First, on the grocery side, I found:

“The average profit margin for a grocery store chain is about 2 percent.”

Oops, I may have estimated too high ...

Another site says average grocery profit margin is just 1.6 percent.

Now, let’s look at the retail side of Wally-World.

“The average profilt margin for retailers is about 1.5-2.5 percent depending on market segment. Wal-Mart manages 4.6 percent margins.”

And, does the opening of a new Wal-Mart store increase crime?

Here's a 505-hit Google search for >>Police “Wal-Mart” “new store” “increase in crime”.

And here’s a quote from one of the links:

Despite the advantages of claiming a large discount retailer, the Clayton Police Department is bracing for an increase in crime and traffic violations in the coming months.

Lt. Wayne Bridges said, “Obviously, we’re glad to see Wal-Mart coming here because it’s good for the town and its citizens.

“But we’re under no illusion that things will remain the same for us.”

The department expects to see a marked increase in shoplifting calls and traffic-related incidents at the new shopping center, Bridges said, and has responded by dividing its coverage area into “police beats” in an effort to deter incidents.

“The town has given us some additional resources, and we’ll use them in a different way,” Bridges said. “We’re as prepared as we can be.”

So, Tbrosz, and all you others, remember that you’re contributing to the decay of Main Street and Main Street conservative, wholesome, white picket fence values when you shop Wally-World.