Walmart as metaphor/proxy probably means something different in California than, say, a little town in Alabama or Missisippi.
There are no unions to speak of in the Deep South and mom-n-pop stores never could afford much in the way of health plans or retirement plans anyway. So Walmart is a good job.
My problem with Walmart is that they got started in Arkansas, and they have a more rural clientele, so except for extremely generic stuff like toothpaste or shampoo, they never have anything that appeals to my sensibilities.
Speaking of sensibilities -- last night I went to K-Mart for the first time in forever, because I had read that they were carrying some Zymol knockoffs (car detailing goop). They weren't, but I wandered around in the Martha Stewart aisles.
Some of the stuff seemed very interesting -- if you want a copper bottomed pot or pan, I've never seen them at such a reasonable price, for example.
Some extremely weird.
There must be committees that brainstorm these ideas, tests the colors on focus groups, it can't be just Martha. I have no idea what kind of people want to decorate their Christmas trees purple or rust orange -- Goths, maybe?
On the other hand, she did spend a lot of time in prison recently, rubbing elbows with women who probably shop at K-Mart when they aren't in prison. Did a little market research while she did time, knowing Martha, she's a multitasking kind of gal.
If you are at all interested in household objects as social metaphor and phenomenon, check it out. |
