Either way, there's no doubt that Walmart's ultimate goal is world domination. Who doesn't have that goal?? They want to be the "everything" store. The one-stop shop: if you need it, you know you can get it there without having to run around to several different stores trying to find whatever it is. These days that includes musical instruments, real estate, and gas.
But the other day I found a market they are missing. Not that I necessarily wish for them to accomplish their quest of world domination, but I'm an ideas person so when I come up with something I have to blog about it to all you unsuspecting victims. The story of this idea goes like this (and I believe most good ideas are born this way):
I'm driving in my car with my daughter in my back seat. We are headed to the water park.
On the way there, I realize that we don't have any sunscreen.
"Where can I get sunscreen?" I think to myself. "Well, there's a Walmart right on the way..." (as usual).
But did I go to Walmart? No. I didn't. I went to a gas station knowing that my chances of finding sunscreen were maybe 30% less than my chances of finding it at Walmart.
Why would I do such a thing knowing that what I needed was at the local big-box warehouse cheap-o schmeap-o store?
Actually, part of that last sentence answers my question: big-box warehouse.
Walmart is big. It's huge. It has everything! Which means...that if I want something...
- I'm going to have to park in Walmart's big box big-ass parking lot - most likely near the back.
- I'm going to have to take my daughter out of the car and walk 3 minutes into the store.
- I'm going to have to coax her past the candy machines and electronic rides that will immediately envelope her attention.
- Best case scenario, the sunscreen is by the check-out stand which means it will take me a minute or two to grab what I need.
- Worst case scenario, I have to walk all the way to the back of the store - look, I know it's not THAT far but it sure as hell feels like walking a 5k when you're hauling a 3-year-old! - and then wander around to whatever random-ass section the marketing team has decided to stock the sunscreen that day (last time it was the shoe section).
- If I happen to avoid the toy section during my journey, I'm still going to have to pass the clothing section, which, yes, is occasionally a temptation for me (don't judge me!), and the candy section (more a problem for me than my daughter...), and the special seasonal section up front which is like an amusement park for me.
- And if I get through that, whew! I'm finally done! Wait, no... I still have to wait in the long-ass line.
- And I have to entertain my daughter while in that line, and talk her out of every piece of candy, gum, or mints that she decides look like a great treat.
- Then, I make the long walk out of the store, through the parking lot, get in the car, and drive out of the parking lot (which can be a journey in and of itself at times).
So, instead, I go to the gas station where I can park right next to the door, walk in and find the sunscreen (hopefully) right in the section with the kleenex, oil filters, and rubber bands, grab a quick snack for the kiddo, wait behind one person in line and hope right back out. So much eaiser!!!
So if Walmart really wants to take over the world, they're going to have to adopt this model in some way - organize a section near the front of the store that has "gas station" items, or even better, put a separate building in the back of the parking lot where no one parks, and make it a little convenience store where people can drive up, grab, and go. Even better, make it a drive-through! How much easier would my life be if I didn't have to unbuckle kiddos to get my sunscreen...
It's the wave of the future.
And yes, I like adding -ass at the end of all my adjectives. 8th grade really stuck with me.
Good idea, Jane :)
ReplyDelete-Sarah