the conveniently low prices of products when they are being sold at Wal-Mart destroy the net worth of companies, while keeping the brand name popular versus the same product being sold a smaller chain or mom and pops store where the company is able to make a larger profit, but rely more on advertising and the actual quality of a product in order remain a household name. Wal-Mart’s price also force companies to Outsource jobs to foreign companies, or downsize factories in order to stay afloat. Once a company begins to rely on Wal-Mart as its main retailer they have essentially signed a contract with them because taking their merchandise out of their stores will more than likely kill their entire profit.
Wal-Mart at all costs lives up to its motto of bringing its customers the lowest possible prices. In 2006 Wal-Mart sold $244.6 billion worth of goods. These sales made Wal-Mart the world’s largest retailer. The demand for low prices forces supplier to lower their prices until they are actually only make pennies per item sold. An amazing example is Vlasic. Wal-Mart began selling Vlasic one gallon jars of pickles which gave the company strong sales and growth in numbers, but slashing its profits by millions of dollars. Wal-Mart which is partnered with Sam's club knew that Americans love deals and pricing a one gallon jar of pickles at under three dollars would catch peoples attention. People were buying the jars faster than they could eat them. This was killing valsic in the profit department because pickle companies make their money on hamber chips, and spears; which people were not buying anymore. When Vlasic tried to increase the price on the one gallon jars Wal-Mart refused, saying that they would stop buying all of the products they getting from Vlasic if they insisted on raising the prices. They were in a catch 22. If Vlasic raised the prices they would have to move their products somewhere else, and if they kept them at Wal-Mart they would continue nit making any profit. Vlasic knew that the minuet they removed their product from Wal-Mart stores there would be other companies willing to sell their pickles at the lowest possible prices. After a Wal-Mart executive was quoted saying "we've done to pickles what we did to orange juice, we've killed it" they gave Vlasic a break selling half gallon jars of pickles for $2.79. Not long after Vlasic filed for bankrupcy, although some believe the Wal-Mart extravaganza had nothing to do with it. Something like this would never happen in a smaller mom and pops store, they don’t have enough clout to put a large corporation in a "choke hold". Smaller stores just want to carry brand name product and be able to sell them at a price that is affordable for the community that they serve and still be able to make a profit and keep their businesses open.
One could argue that the easy thing to do would be taking your products out of Wal-Mart stores all together, but that is easier said than done. In 2006 7.5 cent of every dollar spent in any store excluding auto part stores went to the retailer. Dial corp. dose 28% of its business with Wal-Mart, if they lost their business they would have to double sales in nine other accounts to break even. scenarios similar to this are true for many other companies, most of the business they do is with Wal-Mart because ideally the partnership is great until Wal-Mart begins redesigning the supplying companies anywhere from packaging, computer systems and monitoring private financial records all to “establish a collaborative and mutually beneficial relationship with suppliers” say Melissa Berryhill a Wal-Mart spokesperson. Smaller stores would never rearrange the way a supplying company dose business, they really don’t enough leverage to do something that drastic because they usually need the suppliers as much as the supplier needs them. Unlike Wal-Mart smaller chain stores are more willing to negotiate the price at which they sale and pay for their products.
Outsourcing has been going on since before the smiling face of Wal-Mart has been rolling back prices, but since those prices have become a must have the number of outsourced job as increased. Wal-Mart in 2002 bought $12 billion in outsourced merchandise; nearly 10% of all Chinese exports to the United States. The low prices that you can pay other countries for good and services make it almost impossible for Americans companies to compete. an over 75 year old company Carolina Mills that "supplies thread, yarn, and textile finishing to apparel maker half of which supply Wal-Mart" was forced to downsize from 17 factories to 7, and from 2,600 employees to 1,200 due to outsourcing. Carolina Mills would not have been able to compete with Chinese companies to stock Wal-Mart shelves even if they paid their employees nothing.
Rolling back prices at any cost seems to be what Wal-Mart is doing. There appears to be no regard for what the low prices are doing to American companies even in this time of economic depression. Wal-Mart seems more concerned with making money, maybe they should consider switching their motto to rolling back profits.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Friday, August 27, 2010
Narrative1
Dear Diary,
Sometimes I wish I could just float away, float into a place where everything is serine, blue and as calm as a creek just before a waterfall in the middle or nowhere. That would be a complete chance from the crazy and chaotic world that is my reality. My mother’s foul mouth and quick fists are beginning to become a norm, and my father, well that’s just another story for another page. I know this was a short entry but I just needed to escape, it's senior year so I must go to sleep so that I am not late for school. Goodnight dear diary.
"Reign! I hope yo sorry ass is sleep, bitch you got school in the morning and if you miss the bus I aint takin yo ass" Lydia yelled up the stairs with a drunken slur. She stumbled up the stairs and busted into my room but by then I was already pretending to be fast asleep because I didn't want to deal with my mother. I could feel her
staring through me in envy, envy of her own daughter. Lydia had always
felt this way about me .granted I was a beautiful girl with beautiful skin the color of dark caramel, eyes that looked like brown sugar and honey ground together in a mortar, plum pink lips and long brown hair that flowed behind me with every step I took but I was a spitting image of my mother until her “accident”.
My father King, was just that a king and his kingdom was the streets he controlled the city of Cincinnati for the past ten years. Nothing happened in the streets without him knowing, and nobody got money without him getting his cut first. King was and is the man so naturally women flock to him. There was one woman in particular Bella. Bella and King have a child together but because King has complete control of Lydia she never, ever said anything about it. She just let the news go in one ear and out of the other. Bella however had to use he little bit of leverage she thought she had to ruffle the Lydia’s feather because she felt that she should be the woman sitting next to king because she gave birth to his son, Prince. About a year after prince was born my mother and Bella had a fight. I mean a no holds bar, ghetto hood rats in the streets fight. My mother won, but Bella sliced her face with a box cutter leaving a keloid from her hair line to her chin. When my father found out he was furious. He punished them both like children, like grown women they took their punishments, and like fools they are both still loyal to THEIR King.
School was my only haven; it was the only place where I could be myself and not have to worry about my father, or my mother being down my back. I am senior class president at Mt. Olympia College Prepatory Academy, home of the mighty tigers. “Hey babe, how are you?” said Dior as he walked up behind her in the hallway kissing her on the cheek, causing all of her friends to giggle and whisper to each other. “Hey! I’m good. I kinda had a crazy night but what can I say, how are you.” Said Reign “Im cool, had practice this morning, and got another one after school. Coach is kind trippin since we got this big game against Turpin Friday and were both undefeated. We can talk about it after practice if you want to.” Dior assuringly stated as he stared her in her eyes. “ok, I’ll see you then” she replied. Dior kissed her on the cheek and ran down the hall to catch up to his friends just as the bell rang.
Dior and I have been dating since he came to Mt. O 2 years ago. Dior is the product of a hood rich family just as I am. His father was killed in a shoot out and his mother recently overdosed in attempts to stay high to deal with all of the pain from the death of her husband. Dior was always a football star especially when he attended city schools. When his mom passed the Kipsey’s took him in. Mr. Kipsey owns well over 10 car dealerships in Cincinnati and throughout the tri state are, but what most people don’t know is that Mr. Kipsey is really Mr.Luci, a proud member of the italian mob. Dior’s dad and Mr.Luci had done lots of business together so there was no was Mr.K was going to allow Dior to get placed into the system so he took him in. I was glad Dior and I were going to get to talk because I couldn’t hold this secret in anymore. I had been wanting to tell him for so long. I have been dying to tell someone since it first happened but I could never trust anyone not to tell. I mean my mother knows but she blames me. She says it’s my fault and I brought it on myself, but she is brain washed so what else could I expect from her. I mean what type of child would ask to be molested by her father? And to now be in the situation I’m in, I don’t know what I’m going to do.
“So what’s been up babe? You haven’t been yourself lately. You just
seem like you got a lot on your mind” the words slid out of Dior’s mouth so smooth as he ran his hand my hair “There is something I need to talk to you about but you have to promise me you won’t say anything”
“I wont “ Dior interrupted with a worry all over his face “To a soul” I continued. “I don’t know how to say this” I grabbed Dior’s hand, as a tear rolled down my right cheek and another fell from the inner corner of my eye. “Dior my father molested me, and he has been doing so since I was 12” Dior paused for a second he looked as if he didn’t know what to say. He put his head down as if he was ashamed and shook it. “you’re lying, you’re lying” he shouted. “This is some bullshit, I swear I’ma kill um, I’ma fuckin kill his ass” Dior began to pace around the basement where we were sitting. He punched walls, the couches, his hands he was just full of rage then he calmly sat back down next to me. Dior kissed me on my forehead and proceeded to say “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry this happened to you, but I promise it won’t happen anymore. I love you and it’s my duty to protect you and I’m going to do just that. I didn’t know what Dior had in his head. I just hoped it wasn’t anything stupid. The old me would have tried to stop Dior from doing whatever he was going to but since I was carrying a child and I didn’t rather he was my son or my brother, I decided to let it ride.
After I spilled my guts to Dior, he dropped me off at home, then he spilled his guts to Mr. Kipsey. Knowing everything that I did about the Kipsey family I never knew that Mr. Kipsey and King didn’t get along. I never knew that at one point in time there was money put on Kings head, and the only reason he was still alive is because of me Mr.
K loved Dior like a son, and Dior loved me, so Mr.K was willing to do whatever for me, including putting the money back on King’s head.
The next day I went on a scholar’s retreat, with the national honor society. Dior couldn’t go because he had a game and nothing was going to come before that. When I returned my mom picked me up from the school, I was surprised because she never drove. King always picked me up and took me where ever I had to go. “This bitch is so inconsiderate” I thought to my self. She didn’t even get out of the car to help me with my bags. When I got in the car she bursted into tears “he’s gone. Dead, they killed my king” she said. I never asked any questions I just thought about Dior. I Knew he had done something but I couldn’t bring myself to care. The only thing I could do was feel relief. I texted Dior, “ I know it happen I don’t wanna know what happen, I hope your safe, thank you and I love you goodnight.” For the rest of the night I sat at home with my mother watching her mourn and pretending to mourn to all of the people that called our house.
Slam! Dior busted through the door and me and Brooklyn were sitting at the table. “What are yall talking about” he asked as he got a cool bottle of water from the frifge. “Mom is just telling me about how you and her got together” said Brooklyn anxiously waiting for me to continue my story ………. To be continued
Sometimes I wish I could just float away, float into a place where everything is serine, blue and as calm as a creek just before a waterfall in the middle or nowhere. That would be a complete chance from the crazy and chaotic world that is my reality. My mother’s foul mouth and quick fists are beginning to become a norm, and my father, well that’s just another story for another page. I know this was a short entry but I just needed to escape, it's senior year so I must go to sleep so that I am not late for school. Goodnight dear diary.
"Reign! I hope yo sorry ass is sleep, bitch you got school in the morning and if you miss the bus I aint takin yo ass" Lydia yelled up the stairs with a drunken slur. She stumbled up the stairs and busted into my room but by then I was already pretending to be fast asleep because I didn't want to deal with my mother. I could feel her
staring through me in envy, envy of her own daughter. Lydia had always
felt this way about me .granted I was a beautiful girl with beautiful skin the color of dark caramel, eyes that looked like brown sugar and honey ground together in a mortar, plum pink lips and long brown hair that flowed behind me with every step I took but I was a spitting image of my mother until her “accident”.
My father King, was just that a king and his kingdom was the streets he controlled the city of Cincinnati for the past ten years. Nothing happened in the streets without him knowing, and nobody got money without him getting his cut first. King was and is the man so naturally women flock to him. There was one woman in particular Bella. Bella and King have a child together but because King has complete control of Lydia she never, ever said anything about it. She just let the news go in one ear and out of the other. Bella however had to use he little bit of leverage she thought she had to ruffle the Lydia’s feather because she felt that she should be the woman sitting next to king because she gave birth to his son, Prince. About a year after prince was born my mother and Bella had a fight. I mean a no holds bar, ghetto hood rats in the streets fight. My mother won, but Bella sliced her face with a box cutter leaving a keloid from her hair line to her chin. When my father found out he was furious. He punished them both like children, like grown women they took their punishments, and like fools they are both still loyal to THEIR King.
School was my only haven; it was the only place where I could be myself and not have to worry about my father, or my mother being down my back. I am senior class president at Mt. Olympia College Prepatory Academy, home of the mighty tigers. “Hey babe, how are you?” said Dior as he walked up behind her in the hallway kissing her on the cheek, causing all of her friends to giggle and whisper to each other. “Hey! I’m good. I kinda had a crazy night but what can I say, how are you.” Said Reign “Im cool, had practice this morning, and got another one after school. Coach is kind trippin since we got this big game against Turpin Friday and were both undefeated. We can talk about it after practice if you want to.” Dior assuringly stated as he stared her in her eyes. “ok, I’ll see you then” she replied. Dior kissed her on the cheek and ran down the hall to catch up to his friends just as the bell rang.
Dior and I have been dating since he came to Mt. O 2 years ago. Dior is the product of a hood rich family just as I am. His father was killed in a shoot out and his mother recently overdosed in attempts to stay high to deal with all of the pain from the death of her husband. Dior was always a football star especially when he attended city schools. When his mom passed the Kipsey’s took him in. Mr. Kipsey owns well over 10 car dealerships in Cincinnati and throughout the tri state are, but what most people don’t know is that Mr. Kipsey is really Mr.Luci, a proud member of the italian mob. Dior’s dad and Mr.Luci had done lots of business together so there was no was Mr.K was going to allow Dior to get placed into the system so he took him in. I was glad Dior and I were going to get to talk because I couldn’t hold this secret in anymore. I had been wanting to tell him for so long. I have been dying to tell someone since it first happened but I could never trust anyone not to tell. I mean my mother knows but she blames me. She says it’s my fault and I brought it on myself, but she is brain washed so what else could I expect from her. I mean what type of child would ask to be molested by her father? And to now be in the situation I’m in, I don’t know what I’m going to do.
“So what’s been up babe? You haven’t been yourself lately. You just
seem like you got a lot on your mind” the words slid out of Dior’s mouth so smooth as he ran his hand my hair “There is something I need to talk to you about but you have to promise me you won’t say anything”
“I wont “ Dior interrupted with a worry all over his face “To a soul” I continued. “I don’t know how to say this” I grabbed Dior’s hand, as a tear rolled down my right cheek and another fell from the inner corner of my eye. “Dior my father molested me, and he has been doing so since I was 12” Dior paused for a second he looked as if he didn’t know what to say. He put his head down as if he was ashamed and shook it. “you’re lying, you’re lying” he shouted. “This is some bullshit, I swear I’ma kill um, I’ma fuckin kill his ass” Dior began to pace around the basement where we were sitting. He punched walls, the couches, his hands he was just full of rage then he calmly sat back down next to me. Dior kissed me on my forehead and proceeded to say “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry this happened to you, but I promise it won’t happen anymore. I love you and it’s my duty to protect you and I’m going to do just that. I didn’t know what Dior had in his head. I just hoped it wasn’t anything stupid. The old me would have tried to stop Dior from doing whatever he was going to but since I was carrying a child and I didn’t rather he was my son or my brother, I decided to let it ride.
After I spilled my guts to Dior, he dropped me off at home, then he spilled his guts to Mr. Kipsey. Knowing everything that I did about the Kipsey family I never knew that Mr. Kipsey and King didn’t get along. I never knew that at one point in time there was money put on Kings head, and the only reason he was still alive is because of me Mr.
K loved Dior like a son, and Dior loved me, so Mr.K was willing to do whatever for me, including putting the money back on King’s head.
The next day I went on a scholar’s retreat, with the national honor society. Dior couldn’t go because he had a game and nothing was going to come before that. When I returned my mom picked me up from the school, I was surprised because she never drove. King always picked me up and took me where ever I had to go. “This bitch is so inconsiderate” I thought to my self. She didn’t even get out of the car to help me with my bags. When I got in the car she bursted into tears “he’s gone. Dead, they killed my king” she said. I never asked any questions I just thought about Dior. I Knew he had done something but I couldn’t bring myself to care. The only thing I could do was feel relief. I texted Dior, “ I know it happen I don’t wanna know what happen, I hope your safe, thank you and I love you goodnight.” For the rest of the night I sat at home with my mother watching her mourn and pretending to mourn to all of the people that called our house.
Slam! Dior busted through the door and me and Brooklyn were sitting at the table. “What are yall talking about” he asked as he got a cool bottle of water from the frifge. “Mom is just telling me about how you and her got together” said Brooklyn anxiously waiting for me to continue my story ………. To be continued
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