tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5989434456567311201.post742030286093789754..comments2023-12-25T02:27:19.938-06:00Comments on tracey's space: Exercise in FutilityTracey Gessnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12885903245888445422noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5989434456567311201.post-18512180882074094822005-01-13T09:17:03.000-06:002005-01-13T09:17:03.000-06:00I've been meaning to read that book.Ethan and ...I've been meaning to read that book.<br>Ethan and I call it the Evil Empire, but once in a great while we have to succumb to their marketing genius--even if it is evil--because they always have what we need when Target doesn't... as in your case with the boots.<br>We still haven't bought J a sled, and at this point we probably won't for this winter. How sad is that? I hate the way spring stuff is up as soon as Christmas stuff is taken down. Blah!<br>Sarahnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5989434456567311201.post-16715079797320247272005-01-09T08:37:34.000-06:002005-01-09T08:37:34.000-06:00Although I think your question, "why on earth...Although I think your question, "why on earth do you insist on putting displays in the middle of every single aisle," was probably at least semi-rhetorical, I thought you might be interested in this. I watched a special on MPTV a while ago about Wal-Mart, and in it they explicitly stated that the little displays in the middle of the aisle are part of Sam Walton's marketing "genius." Apparently he was one of the first retailers to do this, and the purpose is to lure shoppers to the corresponding aisle. Mrs. Jones walks down the aisle, sees a toaster on display On Sale! for only $4.99. The toaster displayed is purposely cheap and probably of a lesser quality than what Mrs. Jones wants, so she proceeds to go down the aisle and purchase a similar, but more expensive, model. This may seem like a rather obvious strategy now, but back in the day, this was an entirely new idea and revolutionized Walton's business, giving rise to the monolithic horror that is Wal-Mart today.<br>Not that any of this is news to you, but I was really disgusted to sit there and watch and listen to exactly how the whole deviant plan is working. It made me feel so dirty, and now that's all I can think about when I think of Wal-Mart (and the bumper carts, and the mess...).<br>Side note: For an interesting perspective on what it's like to be a Wal-Mart employee, check out the book I'm reading right now, Nickle and Dimed, by Barbara Ehrenreich. I think I linked it on my site.<br>Ending comment now before it turns into a post of its own... (sorry!)<br>Stephnoreply@blogger.com