Walmart to Boost Sourcing of U.S. Products by $50 Billion Over the Next 10 Years

       Walmart announced bold commitments to increase domestic sourcing of the products it sells and help veterans find jobs when they come off active duty. Speaking at the National Retail Federation’s annual BIG Show, Walmart U.S. President and CEO Bill Simon also announced the company is helping part-time associates who want to be full time, make that transition. 
      “We want all of our associates to find the career opportunities they want with Walmart,” said Simon. “We will make sure part-time associates have full visibility into full-time job openings in their stores and nearby stores, and that they always have first shot at those jobs. We will also bring more transparency to our scheduling system so part-time workers can choose more hours for themselves.”

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.