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Comment by larrys | Hacker News Reader

"Walmart, which doesn't really use discounts except to clear inventory, and advertises "always low prices"."

Walmarts game is a bit different and they can pull it off because of their unique positioning, size and buying power. They also get you to buy things you don't need by their merchandizing. (Similar to how you go into a supermarket for one thing but end up with 10 other things.)

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I think that's sort of what the GP meant by "The problem is that if you play that game, you compete with Walmart and lose."

[Walmart] get you to buy things you don't need by their merchandizing

Interesting... how do they do that? I've always found Walmart's retail experience to be about one step above a warehouse club. I tend to go in for what I want and if it's in stock (often times not the case) I buy it and GTF out.

Congratulations, you are not their primary consumer: Impulse buyers who even if they have a set list of things they are going to buy end up going off-list nearly every time. They need that DVD from the bargain bin, they need that extra box of 22lr ammunition, they need that BPA-free water bottle because the one at work (also impulse bought from Walmart) is starting to crack after 3 months of use.

Exactly. Another thing is that with regards to this "is starting to crack" the more crappy stuff you buy that needs to be replaced, the more times you are back in the store looking for a replacement and starting the cycle again.

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