Walmart fear of Amazon.com

         This holiday season, same-day shipping has replaced free shipping as the new must-have promotion. It’s logistically complicated and money-losing — and may not even be a service that consumers want or need, analysts say.

     But retailers from Walmart to small shops like Shoptiques are willing to take the risk. Even the Postal Service has introduced a same-day option for retailers. And the reason is simple: fear of Amazon.com.

Christmas came early for one local family

In Altoona, Iowa, Christmas came early for one local family.

     Ruby Modlin was at a local Walmart with her family shopping for some holiday groceries when an anonymous man picked up their $211 bill, KCCI 8 Des Moines reports. Modlin had noticed the man following them around the store, but wasn't sure of his intentions until he stepped in to swipe his card at the checkout. The "secret Santa" handed her the receipt and wished her a Merry Christmas before leaving with his own family.

    The holiday gift was particularly special for Modlin, who has been in and out of the hospital in recent months due to liver failure, according to KCCI 8. When it comes to charitable giving, nothing trumps the holiday season. At a Walmart store in Hastings, Mich. last week, an anonymous donor wrote a $10,000 check to pay off 43 customers' layaway accounts.

    One woman fainted when she was told her bill was paid for. In Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., another "secret Santa" similarly requested to donate $10,000 to pay for strangers' layaway accounts at Toys R Us.

Walmart prices do tend to vary slightly by region.

Please note: 
Walmart prices do tend to vary slightly by region.

Make sure you print out a copy of the Walmart coupon policy to bring with you, especially for coupons that product overage.

Here are some of my favorite Walmart deals:
Oral-B Floss, $0.97 $1/1 
Oral-B Floss, exp. 12/31/12 (P&G 11/25/12 R) 
Total after Coupon: FREE

Colgate Manual Toothbrush, $0.94 $0.50/1 
Colgate Manual Toothbrush @Walmart printable 
Total after Coupon: $0.44 ea.

Idahoan Flavored Mashed Potatoes, $0.87 $0.55/3 Idahoan Flavored Mashed Potatoes printable 
Total after Coupon: $0.68 ea. 

 Halls Cough Drops, $1.18 $1/2 
Halls Cough Drops printable $0.50/2 
Halls Bags printable $1/2 Halls 
Single Bag, exp. 12/31/12 (SS 11/04/12) 
Total after Coupon: As low as $0.68 ea. 

Del Monte Green Beans, $0.84 $0.50/4 
Del Monte Green Beans printable 
Total after Coupon: $0.71 ea. 

Wal-Mart to oversee warehouses

  Following protests and legal issues from worker-treatment complaints at its subcontractors' warehouses, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is planning to oversee working conditions the same way it does overseas.

  Warehouses for shipping and sorting goods are oftentimes operated by subcontractors who directly employ workers, the Wall Street Journal reports. During busy seasons with additional stock and online orders, thousands of temporary workers are added.

   Withheld wages and poor working conditions were the main problems relating to warehouses where protests popped up in states including California and Illinois. Though Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT) said it is the responsibility of subcontractors to follow safety and labor laws, it is crafting a system similar to the one used to oversee factories abroad to monitor its domestic branch.

Accused Walmart shoplifter chased along interstate

     Authorities say a 28-year-old Macon woman accused of stealing four televisions from a Walmart store was arrested after a chase along Interstate 75.

 Tabitha Michelle Whitehead is charged with theft by shoplifting, eluding police, reckless driving, failure to obey a traffic control device, failure to maintain lane and driving without a license.

Police responded to the department store for a call about a shoplifter around 2:40 a.m. and tried stopping the woman, who authorities say led them on a chase.

 Officials say Whitehead eventually blew a tire and was taken into custody by Monroe County deputies. Bibb County records show Whitehead is free after posting $6,283 bond. It was unclear Thursday afternoon if Whitehead had a lawyer.

Walmart Gives $70,000 to 14 Nonprofits Providing Warm Clothing on the 12th Day of “12 Days of Giving” Holiday Campaign

     Walmart awards grants to organizations from Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Vermont, Virginia and Washington

     Over twelve consecutive days, Walmart has awarded a total of $1.5 million to 140 organizations across the country that are providing basic needs and services such as food, shelter, clothing and medical care. Organizations receiving grants today are featured on Walmart’s Live Better tab on Facebook. The organizations serve communities in: Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Vermont, Virginia and Washington. 

      Walmart’s November call for submissions resulted in more than 21,677 nominations from Facebook users who submitted descriptions of each nonprofit’s impact in its local community. Submissions were initially reviewed by Walmart associates from across the company and then a panel from the Walmart Foundation selected the winning organizations.

Walmart Names Karen Roberts Executive Vice President and General Counsel

Dec. 20, 2012
     Walmart stores announced the promotion of 17-year company veteran Karen Roberts, 42, to executive vice president and general counsel for Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., reporting to Executive Vice President and Corporate Secretary Jeff Gearhart, 48. The appointment is effective Feb. 1, 2013.

     In her new role, Roberts will manage the legal department, which is responsible for handling all legal matters affecting the company in its domestic and international markets. Gearhart will maintain oversight for the legal function in addition to his newly expanded responsibilities for Walmart’s compliance, ethics and investigations teams as part of the company’s steps to align the functions and further strengthen its global compliance efforts.
 

Walmart Announces New Store in Springdale

Elm Springs Road store brings approximately 300 additional jobs 

     Walmart today announced plans for a new store at Elm Springs Road and North 48th Street, creating a new option for residents seeking a job or wanting more affordable shopping options close to where they live or work. The Elm Springs Road Walmart will create approximately 300 local jobs and is expected to open in the fall of 2014.

     “Walmart is excited for the opportunity to continue to serve the people of Springdale and Northwest Arkansas,” Walmart Vice President of Real Estate Brian Hooper said. “We are thankful for the vision of Mayor Doug Sprouse of the City of Springdale, and especially the Hall family, who had the foresight to hold this property for development, to bring the people of Northwest Arkansas another opportunity to save money so they can live better.”

     “We are excited to see Walmart as well as additional developments find a new home in northwest Springdale,” said Sprouse. “This new development will continue to improve the quality of life for our citizens and broaden our tax base.”
      Like most new Walmart stores, the Elm Springs Road Walmart will include energy-efficient technology and environmentally friendly features to reduce energy and water consumption and minimize waste. The store will have a day lighting monitoring system in the grocery area. This system automatically and continuously dims all the lights as the daylight contribution increases.

Offers 10 free movies for all new VUDU users

       Calif., Dec. 19, 2012 – VUDU, the leading subscription-free, video-on-demand movie service, today announced its new app for Android, giving customers additional access to their favorite movie and TV entertainment on the go.  The VUDU app enables fans to stream or download more than 100,000 movies and TV shows on select tablet running the Android 4.0 operating system or above, with many more tablet models and smart phones to follow soon. The free app is now available for download in the Google Play store.  

      “The popularity of VUDU combined with Android, the world’s most popular mobile operating system, provides customers with even more convenience and access to new releases, Hollywood favorites and shows,” said Prasanna Ganesan, general manager, VUDU.  “Since pioneering movie-on-demand, our mission at VUDU has been to give fans instant access to the greatest selection of movies and TV shows available, on as many devices as possible and with the highest streaming quality.”

Studies show Android is the world’s leading mobile operating system** and is available on a broad selection of devices. Its growth in popularity mirrors the rise of mobile media consumption, which now surpasses TV or PC media consumption via TV.

Walmart Gives $187,500 to 15 Nonprofits Providing Shelter on the Ninth Day of “12 Days of Giving” Holiday Campaign

     On the ninth day of its “12 Days of Giving” holiday campaign,  Walmart is awarding $187,500 to 15 nonprofits that provide shelter and support to men, women and children in need. One of the winning organizations, Families by Choice, serves its community with transitional shelters and a new program that provides lifetime living for mentally handicapped adults who have been abused or abandoned by their family and are not eligible for state programs.

      Over twelve consecutive days, Walmart will award a total of $1.5 million to 140 organizations across the country that are providing basic needs and services such as food, shelter, clothing and medical care. Organizations receiving grants today are featured on Walmart’s Live Better tab on Facebook. The organizations serve communities in: Alaska, California, Delaware, Indiana, Montana, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and West Virginia.

      “For some, ‘home for holidays’ just isn’t possible. In fact, more than 600,000 people across the U.S. are currently homeless,” said Sylvia Mathews Burwell, president of the Walmart Foundation. “Walmart supports the essential work of local nonprofit organizations that provide shelter to men, women and children in need. We hope these grants will help give more people a safe, warm place to rest.”
Walmart’s November call for submissions resulted in more than 21,677 nominations from Facebook users who submitted descriptions of each nonprofit’s impact in its local community. Submissions were initially reviewed by Walmart associates from across the company and then a panel from the Walmart Foundation selected the winning organizations.

Walmart Statement in Response to December 17 New York Times Article About Allegations of Corruption in Mexico

BENTONVILLE, Ark., Dec. 17, 2012

      “The allegations contained in the New York Times article surrounding events in 2003-2004 involving the permitting and licensing process for a Walmart de Mexico store in Teotihuacan, Mexico, have been part of the company’s ongoing investigation of potential violations of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act we began more than a year ago.

       “The Audit Committee of the board, comprised entirely of independent directors, is overseeing the investigation. “We are also continuing to cooperate with the Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission on this matter.

“At this point, the investigation is still ongoing and we have not yet reached final conclusions. A thorough and independent investigation will take time to complete. We wish we could say more but we will not jeopardize the integrity of the investigation.
“We are committed to having a strong and effective global anti-corruption program everywhere we operate and taking appropriate action for any instance of non-compliance.
“While the investigation is ongoing, we have not waited to act. Over the past 20 months, we have made significant improvements to our compliance programs around the world and have taken a number of specific, concrete actions with respect to our processes, procedures and people.
“Over the past several months we have:

• Established several new compliance positions around the world;
• Directed more than 300 third-party legal and accounting experts who have dedicated in excess of 79,000 hours to this effort;
• Conducted more than 85 in-country visits and more than 1,000 interviews of market personnel;
• Spent more than $35 million on new processes and procedures; and
• Conducted training sessions attended by more than 19,000 associates.

“We recognize that our effort to date is a work in progress and there is more to be done as we continue building a world-class FCPA compliance program.”

Getting to the Heart of Christmas

    In the small town of Possum Trot, Texas, one selfless bishop and his wife are changing the lives of more than 75 foster children.

    This holiday season, Walmart and the TODAY Show surprised the community of Possum Trot with an abundance of food, clothes and other necessities for the individual families in the community as well as for the community's Youth Center. A Christmas gift was also given to each of the foster children, and Bishop W.C. Martin was surprised with $15,000 worth of Walmart gift cards to help him throughout the year.

Walmart Says Green Monday Is Busiest Online Shopping Day in December and Hosts Special “One-Day Only” Event Online

Big savings up to 60 percent on popular gifts, plus an incredible low price on a secret top brand 55” LED HDTV (up to $600 savings) revealed Monday 

      Walmart  had its best day in history on Cyber Monday this year thanks to its customers. And, with only two weeks left before Christmas, it is rewarding customers with a big “one-day only” online event on Monday, Dec. 10, including up to 60 percent savings on top toys, electronics and more.* Green Monday, which is the second Monday in December, is becoming another major trend in strong online shopping performance. In fact, this day last year was Walmart.com’s highest traffic day in December. And, according to comScore, the second Monday in December last year represented a 19 percent increase in online spending and was the third highest online shopping day of the season.

     “We know our customers are relentlessly looking online for the best savings this holiday and our goal is to give them low prices on the gifts they want most,” said Joel Anderson, President & CEO, Walmart.com U.S. “Given this highly competitive season, we are living up to our commitment with even more big savings online before Christmas that keeps more money in their pockets this year."

Walmart Gives $120,000 to 14 Nonprofits Supporting Children on the Fifth Day of “12 Days of Giving” Holiday Campaign

On the fifth day of its “12 Days of Giving” holiday campaign, Walmart is awarding $120,000 to 14 nonprofits that are creating a better future for children across the country. One of the winning organizations, Para Los Niños, serves its community by providing high-quality education integrated with family support, mental health services and community engagement opportunities to thousands of children living in at-risk neighborhoods in Los Angeles County.

Over twelve consecutive days, Walmart will award a total of $1.5 million to 140 organizations across the country that are providing basic needs and services such as food, shelter, clothing and medical care. Organizations receiving grants today are featured on Walmart’s Live Better tab on Facebook. The organizations serve communities in: Vermont, California, Texas, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Minnesota, Georgia and Pennsylvania.
“Building a better tomorrow starts with our children, yet 22 percent of kids in the U.S. live in poverty,” said Sylvia Mathews Burwell, president of the Walmart Foundation. “Through education, nourishment, mentorship, clothing and shelter, the organizations honored today are helping children community by community achieve a brighter future. We’re honored to help support their mission with grants this holiday season.”
Walmart’s November call for submissions resulted in more than 21,677 nominations from Facebook users who submitted descriptions of each nonprofit’s impact in its local community. Submissions were initially reviewed by Walmart associates from across the company and then a panel from the Walmart Foundation selected the winning organizations.

Walmart Gives $100,000 to 10 Nonprofits Supporting Seniors on the Second Day of “12 Days of Giving” Holiday Campaign

Walmart awards grants to organizations from Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, Wisconsin, Texas, North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Connecticut and Missouri

 BENTONVILLE, Ark., Dec. 11, 2012 – On the second day of its “12 Days of Giving” holiday campaign, Walmart is awarding $100,000 to 10 nonprofits that are helping senior citizens in their local communities. One of the winning organizations, Helping Hands of Vegas Valley, serves its community by providing free services in the Las Vegas Valley to assist senior citizens with transportation and food as well as vouchers for short-term, temporary care to relieve family members who are caring for seniors in their homes.
Over twelve consecutive days, Walmart will award a total of $1.5 million to 140 organizations across the country that are providing basic needs and services such as food, shelter, clothing and medical care. Organizations receiving grants today are featured on Walmart’s Live Better tab on Facebook. The organizations serve communities in: Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, Wisconsin, Texas, North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Connecticut and Missouri.
“More than 3.6 million adults age 65 and older live below the poverty line,” said Sylvia Mathews Burwell, president of the Walmart Foundation. “Through these grants, we want to support local organizations who are helping seniors live more fulfilled and stable lives and also say ‘thank you’ for all the wisdom and experience they’ve contributed.”
Walmart’s November call for submissions resulted in more than 21,677 nominations from Facebook users who submitted descriptions of each nonprofit’s impact in its local community. Submissions were initially reviewed by Walmart associates from across the company and then a panel from the Walmart Foundation selected the winning organizations.

Walmart Foundation Grants $150,000 to Wreaths Across America

       Wreaths Across America™ (WAA) announced a $150,000 grant from the Walmart Foundation to help fund the placement of more than 355,000 remembrance wreaths across the country — including 105,000 at Arlington National Cemetery — on Saturday, Dec. 15. WAA is a nonprofit organization, whose mission to Remember, Honor, and Teach, is carried out in part each year by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies on National Wreaths Across America Day each December. This is the fifth consecutive year that Walmart has supported Wreaths Across America.
       “Walmart has been an invaluable partner over the last several years, and this year’s donation will help us honor so many more veterans who fought to protect our freedoms,” said Karen Worcester, executive director, Wreaths Across America. “Every Walmart employee involved — from the drivers delivering wreaths, to individuals volunteering their time to lay wreaths across the country — have given so much of their time and energy to support our mission. We are incredibly grateful.”
Walmart also donates transportation services through its network of distribution centers across the country. Nearly 100 professional drivers will transport wreaths from Harrington, Maine, to their final destinations at more than 800 locations throughout the United States.
     “The men and women of our nation’s military are among the most spirited and talented of Americans, who not only serve to protect our freedoms abroad, but make great contributions to our workforce and way of life here at home,” said Sylvia Mathews Burwell, president of the Walmart Foundation. “This year we are honored to help Wreaths Across America reach the great milestone of laying the one-millionth remembrance wreath to honor our nation’s heroes and their families, and to remember the sacrifices they’ve made.”
Wreath sponsorships and volunteers for Arlington are still needed.

Big savings up to 60 percent on popular gifts, plus an incredible low price on a secret top brand 55” LED HDTV (up to $600 savings) revealed Monday

     Walmart had its best day in history on Cyber Monday this year thanks to its customers. And, with only two weeks left before Christmas, it is rewarding customers with a big “one-day only” online event on Monday, Dec. 10, including up to 60 percent savings on top toys, electronics and more.*  

     Green Monday, which is the second Monday in December, is becoming another major trend in strong online shopping performance. In fact, this day last year was Walmart.com’s highest traffic day in December.  And, according to comScore, the second Monday in December last year represented a 19 percent increase in online spending and was the third highest online shopping day of the season.

“We know our customers are relentlessly looking online for the best savings this holiday and our goal is to give them low prices on the gifts they want most,” said Joel Anderson, President & CEO, Walmart.com U.S. “Given this highly competitive season, we are living up to our commitment with even more big savings online before Christmas that keeps more money in their pockets this year."

     Secret Top-Brand 55”LED HDTV Revealed Monday – Nearly $600 SavingsOn Monday only, Walmart.com will unveil an incredible low price on a specific top-brand 55” LED HDTV (while supplies last), which represents nearly $600 savings on comparable TVs. This secret TV and price will be revealed on the site early Monday, and will also be available for free shipping to home.

    “One-Day Only” Online Specials – Monday, Dec. 10This one-day only event includes up to 60 percent savings online on top items

Walmart Economic and Customer Insights Report - Q3 2012

      Increased Shopper Optimism Imminent, But Not All Elements Aligned: Since Q2, portions of shopper confidence have been building, with economic and personal finance expectations on the rise.

    Additionally, among job seekers, optimism is growing, moving in concert with favorable employment reports. Back-To-School shopping was a bright spot, with consumers bucking recent years’ trends and spending more this year. Despite this, the economy remains the key concern. Gas prices came down but were still higher than what consumers expected; they are reluctant to trust that sustained lower prices are forthcoming. Although we haven’t seen pricing effect from the Midwestern drought as of yet, media attention caused increased apprehension about food prices among shoppers.

     Sluggishness in disposable income remains a key barrier to confidence growth, and there are indications that some consumers are patching income gaps with credit card purchases. Because of this, consumers’ mindset for Holiday spending is both hopeful and guarded.

Massmart Identified in Top 10 Best Performing Companies in JSE’s 2012 Socially Responsible Investment (SRI) Index

       Dec. 4, 2012 -- Massmart has once again been recognised as one of the top 10 best performers in the medium environmental impact category of the JSE’s 2012 Socially Responsible Investment (SRI) Index, the results of which were announced on Wednesday (28 November 2012). The SRI Index comprises of listed companies which meet criteria related to their environmental, social and governance (ESG) policies, management practices and reporting.

      The intention of the index is two-fold: to encourage companies to operate responsibly and transparently and to prompt institutions to consider ESG factors when evaluating investments. The SRI Index is a key benchmark for broad-based environmental, social and governance practice amongst listed companies.

      This year Massmart met all 39 core indicators and 42 out of 49 desirable indicators in social performance. For governance and related sustainability concerns, 32 out of 32 for core indicators and 32 out of 33 for desirable indicators were met. All environmental performance indicators were met. Massmart has been a constituent of the SRI index since its inception in 2004. Last year saw Massmart achieve full marks in the governance and related sustainability concerns dimension, meeting all 32 core indicators as well as all 33 desirable indicators. It also met 92 out of 98 criteria on the social dimension making it one of the best performers in the medium environmental impact category of the JSE’s 2011 SRI Index. Massmart achieved best performer status in the SRI in 2007 and 2008. The criteria covered in the index provide a comprehensive framework for monitoring corporate responsibility. In this sense the Massmart Social & Ethics committee reference the draft and final results as a key part of their efforts to track responsible practise at Massmart.

      The SRI Index has evolved considerably since its inception in 2004. This year, the total number of constituents stands at 76 out of an assessed universe of over 100 companies. The incremental success of participants, especially in the face of increasingly demanding criteria, demonstrates deepened commitment to principles of sustainability and corporate South Africa’s increased comfort with the assessment criteria.