And what country can preserve its liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to facts, pardon and pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.
In 1971 when I went to work for Dayton's (one of the Dayton-Hudson corporate stores along with Target) the work climate was that those who worked for the "discount store" were "shamed" to not be working for one of the "real" stores. A very comeuppance situation for sure.
IMHO Wal-Mart is the single most influential reason that the US consumer goods manufacturing industry went to $hit. The retailer kept demanding deeper and deeper discounts from the American manufacturers and their only recourse was to go overseas.
John, I'm trying to remember the name of the pickle company that went broke trying to meet Wal-Mart's pricing. But hey, the Walton Kids ate good, didn't they?
Woolworths was sold and became Woolco if I remember correctly. As with most stories it slowly failed not too long after that. Walmart was OK until Sam died and the college educated Marxist kids got hold of it. Kmart was where we shopped for school supplies and went slowly downhill. Their competitor was Zayre another sad story of mismanagement.
Target started by the Dayton-Hudson company in Mpls in the early-early 70's. It was to capture the value shopper that was priced out of Dayton's but didn't want the stigma of shopping at K-mart. Dayton-Hudson built the 'dales' in the Twin Cities. First indoor bigass mall in America was Southdale. Worked in the JCP there from '79 to '83. Sucked ass but was pussy central in cold as Satan's balls in winter in Minnesota.
I worked for Dayton's Department Store from 1971 to 1981 as a Housewares buyer. But my first job as a trainee was in the "Downstairs Store" (aka Bargain Basement). The Dayton brothers were amazed as how many shoppers visited and purchased "stuff" from the Downstairs Store, so they decided to create a store that was as good as or better than Dayton's bargain basement. The Dales shopping malls were created in order to allow shoppers from the suburbs the convince of not having to travel downtown MPLS for shopping at their main store.
Of course, Dayton's (in Minneapolis) ... and Hudson's (in Detroit) are long gone. As are virtually any and all local department stores in any American city ... other than Macy's.
I remember how excited my parents were when Wal-Mart came to my Northeast Arkansas town of 10,000 in the early 70's. Wasn't ten years before downtown was dead.
We were driving through Cheraw, SC on our way to Myrtle Beach, circa 1981-82. Had heard about Wal-Mart but had never seen a store until then. It was around 5PM on a Thursday, and the parking lot was jammed, cars were parked on the grass vacant lot adjoining. Empty spaces had thick motor oil stains. The store was only 4,000 sq ft or so.
Bought a WSJ the next day. Called my broker, bought 200 shares, all I could afford. Future ex-wife laughed. 6 years later, she got half of that investment. Told her "I'll should get those shares, you laughed when I bought them"
I didnt know Target was around back then. Its only had a store here for 20 years
ReplyDeleteIn 1971 when I went to work for Dayton's (one of the Dayton-Hudson corporate stores along with Target) the work climate was that those who worked for the "discount store" were "shamed" to not be working for one of the "real" stores. A very comeuppance situation for sure.
Deletenot a chance
ReplyDeletefirst one i went to was in branson,mo. in the very early 70's. was not impressed.
ReplyDeleteThe Cuban missile crisis ....
ReplyDeleteYes!
DeleteWoolco - bought a Winchester 12 Ga. Ranger pump shotgun there in very early '80's. The company did not last long after that.
ReplyDeleteIt all changed when they sold out to China.
ReplyDeleteWhat? That is when they started to get successful.
DeleteIMHO Wal-Mart is the single most influential reason that the US consumer goods manufacturing industry went to $hit. The retailer kept demanding deeper and deeper discounts from the American manufacturers and their only recourse was to go overseas.
DeleteJohn, I'm trying to remember the name of the pickle company that went broke trying to meet Wal-Mart's pricing.
DeleteBut hey, the Walton Kids ate good, didn't they?
Bought an 8mm movie camera there in Fort Myers FL about 1991.
ReplyDeleteHitachi brand and cost $1100., still have it.
Are you Florida Man?
DeleteLeft there almost 20 years ago, after living there 40 years.
DeleteWoolworths. On Main Street in every town in America circa 1958. Died from NAFTA disease 1995.
ReplyDeleteThank you, "Slick Willy" Clinton.
DeleteWoolworths was sold and became Woolco if I remember correctly. As with most stories it slowly failed not too long after that. Walmart was OK until Sam died and the college educated Marxist kids got hold of it. Kmart was where we shopped for school supplies and went slowly downhill. Their competitor was Zayre another sad story of mismanagement.
DeleteBought a box of shotgun shells at the Owensville Mo. Walmart in '72. Thought it was a joint venture between K-mart and Walgreens.
ReplyDeleteJpaul
Target started by the Dayton-Hudson company in Mpls in the early-early 70's. It was to capture the value shopper that was priced out of Dayton's but didn't want the stigma of shopping at K-mart. Dayton-Hudson built the 'dales' in the Twin Cities. First indoor bigass mall in America was Southdale. Worked in the JCP there from '79 to '83. Sucked ass but was pussy central in cold as Satan's balls in winter in Minnesota.
ReplyDeleteSpin
I worked for Dayton's Department Store from 1971 to 1981 as a Housewares buyer. But my first job as a trainee was in the "Downstairs Store" (aka Bargain Basement). The Dayton brothers were amazed as how many shoppers visited and purchased "stuff" from the Downstairs Store, so they decided to create a store that was as good as or better than Dayton's bargain basement. The Dales shopping malls were created in order to allow shoppers from the suburbs the convince of not having to travel downtown MPLS for shopping at their main store.
ReplyDeleteOf course, Dayton's (in Minneapolis) ... and Hudson's (in Detroit) are long gone. As are virtually any and all local department stores in any American city ... other than Macy's.
Bill Laimbeer's father was COO of Dayton-Hudson. He joked that he was the only NBA Player that made less than his father.
DeleteI remember how excited my parents were when Wal-Mart came to my Northeast Arkansas town of 10,000 in the early 70's.
ReplyDeleteWasn't ten years before downtown was dead.
The St. Louis Globe Democrat was the one that didn't survive.
ReplyDeleteWe were driving through Cheraw, SC on our way to Myrtle Beach, circa 1981-82. Had heard about Wal-Mart but had never seen a store until then. It was around 5PM on a Thursday, and the parking lot was jammed, cars were parked on the grass vacant lot adjoining. Empty spaces had thick motor oil stains. The store was only 4,000 sq ft or so.
ReplyDeleteBought a WSJ the next day. Called my broker, bought 200 shares, all I could afford. Future ex-wife laughed. 6 years later, she got half of that investment. Told her "I'll should get those shares, you laughed when I bought them"