Walmart confirms they are pulling their last 2 stores out of Portland Oregon

It is easy to understand why -  https://www.facebook.com/watch?v=3084820065040969

Walmart actually has FOURTEEN stores in metro Portland. They're closing those two stores because the properties are fairly old and maintenance is a problem. 

The city of Portland proper is fairly small and land is at a premium. Just like everywhere else, there aren't big box retailers in the inner city. They're in the suburbs.

Happy to fix your ignorance!

I think America would be a much better place if Wal-Mart closed every store. They are like an invasive species that destroys small businesses.

I disagree. They don't "destroy" small businesses. Small businesses fail--only half of them survive their first year--because the people who start them don't know what they're doing. For instance, undercapitalization dooms many startups from the get-go. The most common malady is that an erstwhile entrepreneur may know something very well--how to fix a car, groom a dog, make Italian food, etc --but that doesn't translate into knowing how to run a business. Yet, they think that the core knowledge they're trying to market is far more important and the nuts and bolts part, well, they'll muddle through. But they fail. 

How should a small business owner compete with WalMart? By providing something that they don't: personalized service, specialized knowledge, store setting and atmosphere, skilled employees, and cultivating repeat business. Should they try to beat WalMart's prices by constantly holding sales? No. Should they try to offer better quality and closer attention to customers' needs? Absolutely.

And to address WalMart in Oregon: a chain called Fred Meyer does what the largest WalMart stores do: they sell anything and everything. Every Fred Meyer is a large grocery store attached to a large department store. Their prices aren't as good as WalMart's but still competitive. And their quality is often better. So any area that already has a Fred Meyer is challenging for WalMart. That's the primary reason they're closing those two inner-Portland stores--Fred Meyer was there long ago and WalMart never really did well, at least not compared to their Portland metro stores.

I don't want to join the Bitch About WalMart Brigade. They perform a useful function, especially with the evil Turd trying to starve and bankrupt us. And as I explained, they can operate in harmony with, not opposition to, small businesses. You need a set of box end metric wrenches, you go to Walmart and grab them off the shelf. You need to know what tools you'll need to fix your leaky faucet, you go to Joe's Hardware.

Walmart's prices are among the lowest in the nation and these prices translate into savings for the American consumer enabling the consumer to buy more product thus expanding the economy.  I thought liberals were all about affordability.

Walmarts are located in strip malls where almost every store is occupied. These stores are busy due to the volume of traffic Walmart brings in 

Walmart has huge choice in product where the smaller retailer has limited choice.

Walmart offers higher salaries, and more benefits than small retailers.  Most managers in Walmart worked their way up and don't have college degrees.  With smaller retailers there is limited room for advancement.

By selling all types of products this saves the consumer time as they don't have to go from one small retailer to another.to buy product.

If the American consumer didn't like Walmart they would shop somewhere else.

Walmart actually drove Sears and K Mart out of business; once the largest retailers in the country.

 https://www.allrecipes.com/8-cheapest-grocery-stores-ranked-11865502

I disagree--Walmart just had a better idea.  They didn't "drive small business out of business";  they had a better idea and American shoppers agreed.  They voted with their dollars. It's kind of like:  Ford had a better idea than horses; or, Edison and Tesla had a better idea then kerosene.  You might now argue that we are having a struggle between Walmart/Target etc. and Amazon etc.; or coal vs. solar/wind.  Constant change and disruptions are a feature of capitalism.  The best we can do is try to regulate and mitigate its consequences, not lock in inefficiencies.  

Stupid Tom is mostly correct, which is amazing and something to celebrate. The only incorrect statement he made is that WalMarts are located in strip malls. Some are, but many are standalone buildings.

However, he undid his good work by making a ridiculous nasty political comment. Everybody, regardless of political bent/ideology, cares about the cost of the things they buy. 

I know that David just wanted to relay some sneering comment about Portland made by some asshole Fakebook rando. I didn't bother to look at the video or whatever it was--I never do. But other posters jumped in and turned the thread into a legitimate and interesting discussion. Then Tom decided to be a Miller and say something stupid and gratuitous about liberals.

We've lately had some interesting discussions about various topics here in the Sink, which is a breath of fresh air. Miller tries to dominate the Sink and ruin every thread with his MAGA bitching, but there's nothing we can do to make him behave or be mature. But Tom doesn't need to climb into the shortbus with him.

Krogers are located in strip malls.  I've not seen a Walmart in a strip mall.

I shop at Walmart 99%.  Prices and inventory are unbeatable anywhere else.

Edwards Food Giant has good deli and my pharmacy is located inside, the only two reasons I set foot in there.  I'm surprised they exist as prices are consistenly and signficantly higher than Walmart on every item I have ever priced.  Perhaps closer to some neighborhoods, less driving for some. 

We have Family Market, very nice, equi-distant from my house with the closest Walmart.  I sometimes go to Family Market if I have just one or two necessary items to get.  Usually a produce item I forgot, a lemon or an onion or something that I need ASAP.  Prices higher on everything but good for stop in/one-two items.

Family Market has a few things in its favor:  Discount on everything every Thursday; close up parking; two gas pumps right there, name brand and competitive price/gal;  inside is nice, produce is fresh tho higher priced, shelves are nicely kept, employees nice and helpful, no long lines.   Been there forever, so I guess they do something right.

I've always found Walmart employees to be pleasant and helpful, can look up an item on their hand held gizmo and tell you which aisle to find it.  Some will actually walk you there.  Problem is that there isn't always an employee around when you need one.  But you can go to any other department or whatever and somebody will call somebody to help you.

Candy

Candy, If you carry a smartphone you can use the app or website to lookup an item and it will show you where it is. With the app you can also "scan" barcodes to check prices. 

Wal*Mart actually takes much better care of their employees than small businesses and they offer a legitimate career path.     I know people who started off as cashiers there and now make six digits as a manager.    And even the low level jobs pay decent.   

I guarantee you Wal*Mart is paying their new hires more than Mom & Pops Hardware shop.