Walmart Canada’s Sam’s Club stores are closing; yet another casualty of the economic recession. The good news however is that Walmart will be refunding membership fees so keep an eye out for that.
I’ve never been to a Sam’s Club so I have no idea what it’s like but I’m not a fan of membership-only retail warehouse stores anyhow. I’m not convinced that I should pay a membership fee to Costco or Sam’s Club to be able to shop and spend money at their store. Not to mention that Costco et al. don’t accept coupons and sell everything in ridiculously humungous sizes.
Click here for more details on Sam’s Club stores closures
Click here for the official statement from Walmart Canada
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=a5ZaB1mH_zmQ
Wal-Mart to Pay $17.5 Million Racial Bias Settlement (Update1)
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By Margaret Cronin Fisk
Feb. 20 (Bloomberg) — Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the world’s largest retailer, will pay $17.5 million to settle a lawsuit claiming the company discriminated against African-Americans in recruiting and hiring truck drivers.
The lawsuit was filed in 2004 by Daryal Nelson, who claimed he was rejected for a truck-driver position because of his race. Nelson filed the suit in federal court in Helena, Arkansas, on behalf of all black applicants who believe they were rejected or deterred from applying for the positions because of race. The lawsuit was given class-action, or group, status in May 2007.
Wal-Mart’s motions to dismiss the case or decertify the class were denied last month. The settlement, filed with the court today, averts a trial set to begin March 16. Wal-Mart denied it engaged in any pattern of wrongful discrimination.
“Resolving this litigation is in the best interest of our company, our shareholders and our associates,” Daphne Moore, a Wal-Mart spokeswoman, said in a statement issued by the workers’ lawyers and the company. “We are implementing improvements to our transportation division’s recruitment, selection and personnel systems.”
The company, based in Bentonville, Arkansas, agreed to provide priority placements for 23 black applicants who provide approved claim forms, according to the statement. The retailer also will establish benchmark hiring goals to ensure diversity, the workers and Wal-Mart said.
Lawyers for the workers and Wal-Mart asked the judge to set a June 30 hearing to consider approval of the settlement, according to court filings.
The case is Nelson v. Wal-Mart Stores Inc., 04-00171, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Arkansas (Helena)
To contact the reporter on this story: Margaret Cronin Fisk in Southfield, Michigan, at [email protected].
Last Updated: February 20, 2009 20:41 EST
Walmart Corporation has encouraged North American manufacturers to leave and set up shop in third world countries. It is an American retailer that imports foreign goods. It pays low low wages with few benefits. It will fight Canadian labour laws and if it doesn’t get its way then it will just close shop. The Walton family members (who still own 40% of Walmart Corporation) are each worth over 23 Billion each, yet they nickle and dime their so called ‘associates’.
Walmart is a cancer to business.
Sad but true. Walmart is rarely good news for many area economies. Have been a member of Costco but on somebody else’s dime. Not worthwhile to me to pay for access privelege’s either. Much better places with better prices for retailers to shop at in bulk. Because they sell such large size and case lots etc, their store is so big that it is tiring to shop there sometimes when you need to hit most of the isles. I believe Costco is another USA store and I think they sell USA meats even? I got turned off big-time when I was in line at Costco one day and some staffer decides to snap a photo of my girlfriend pal and I. Being ladies we found that a little creepy and when we inquired why they would do that the store said it was their right to and would not explain further? I have never shop lifted so I didn’t think that had anything to do with it but was wearing a black leather bikers jacket at thae time. Their retort to my querry seemed a tad rude to me?! It’s their right is it? To take our photos without explanation or permission. Well, I thought, it’s my right to choose where I shop and it’s not there ever since! Mostly liked the cheap Rx’s and off the shelf meds like vitamins and glucosomine. Dunno if they thought we were naught or humma-humma nice but either way, poopy attitude. We felt insulted and violated. Heck with them!
Oopsy, meant to say naught not naught.
Geez, gotta clean my keyboard or something – naughty
Guess my Y is sticking sometimes? Happens when you live in front of your computer practically LOL
Heck, I didn’t even know they made it up here. When we were living in Michigan, our lovely suburban neighbours loved, just loved Sam’s Club and shopped their constantly. We decided after one look that it look too much like a Costco, which I have never enjoyed shopping at, and didn’t sign up. We found similar bargains without membership at a store called Gordon’s Food Service (GFS). Bigger sizes of food but none of the extras (clothing, housewares, etc.). The store was smaller and brighter too.
Costco, well….to take advantage of what they had to offer, you had to know the prices of items elsewhere to make it worthwhile. We shopped there maybe three to four times a year. Photo processing, milk, eggs and the pharmacy dispensing fee were the cheapest. At least they offer their own coupons; and for the longest time, they would not accept credit cards at all. But, since we went so infrequently and the prices not that competitive, the membership we shared with my SIL we all let expire.
That was another annoyance: to share a membership, you had to all live at the same address. And they stopped allowing people to bring non member friends and have them to pay separately for their purchases. They were making money, well over and above what the annual fee was (we never left there without spending at least $80 and that was carefully planned), so why all the fuss about membership?
i’m starting to get annoyed by all these companies blaming economic conditions. walmart had planned to shut down these stores or convert them to walmart superstores long before the recession started.
i’m happy to hear that lowe’s is looking to buy the properties. the etobicoke home depot has no competition and it shows in their pricing and lack of service.
Very sad to hear that…..they have already closed down one of the whole sale store which we used to by things for our store…which was located in Scarborough (Cash & Carry)…..now Sam’s Club is also closing down….:(….
COSTCO…….ONLY CHOICE………TOO BAD!!!!!
Real Canadian Whole Sale….I think they should extend there hours of operation….atleast that will give us a bit
We have a membership at Costco and decided to join Sam’s Club just to try it out. We had a membership at Sam’s Club for about 2 years and although they look the same inside and carry similar products, some items were different. I enjoyed shopping at Sam’s because there weren’t as many crowds, even on weekends. Since there were less shoppers the check-out was always quick. Sorry to see them go.
Ya I don’t think it has much to do with the economy, more of alterior plans.
I’ve never been in one but I’ll check it out when its open to the public.
I do however think its a slap in the face to members that business members get first dibs at the products.
If Walmart can’t make it work,who can?
My prediction is Zeller’s will bite the dust next.
I’m surprised Zellers is actually still around, with the poor service they offer, not to mention crappy selection and bad customer service. I guess Hbc keeps them afloat somehow.
Any good deals at Sam’s now that they are closing?
I’ve never been to a Sam’s Club so I have no idea what it’s like but I’m not a fan of membership-only retail warehouse stores anyhow. I’m not convinced that I should pay a membership fee to Costco or Sam’s Club to be able to shop and spend money at their store. Not to mention that Costco et al. don’t accept coupons and sell everything in ridiculously humungous sizes.
You know I used to think the same thing about paying to give my money somewhere. But it’s really good to get meat’s from Costco, because I can get them cheaper then anywhere else. Humungous sizes mean’s I don’t have to shop as much. Seems like every time I leave the house it’s going to cost me min $50.00. The only thing I don’t like is that once everything has run out, I forget because there was so much of it lol. To each there own, but personaly I like it.
Even the tomb stone is humungous…
I doubt the decision to close Sam’s was one due to just the recession. they never expanded the chain, but chose to invest in the superstores, which we all complain about, but still shop there.
as for Alex’s sharing of the situations in the US. Although, I understand the sentiment and outrage at discriminatory hiring practices, I can’t name one large, retailer, manufactuer, mining company, bank etc who hasn’t engaged in discriminatory hiring/promotion practices. Hence, the Canada Labour Code and Human Rights legislation on both sides of our borders.
Just pick on Wal-Mart because their big? What about that lovely CIBC, who “nickle and dimed” all employees to the tune of a 600 million dollar lawsuit for unpaid overtime, or the class action suit for female employee’s of Bell, who weren’t paid the same rate as male workers.
They move/encourage manufacturing to move to 3rd world countries? where do you think that practice was invented? the automotive industry.
I’m not defending these practices, I’m reminding you that there are more than one large corporation guilty of such practices.
I went to Sam’s today to cancel my membership and I have never seen a crowd like that before. The parking lot was crazy, the line-ups were ridiculous! Everyone’s cart was full to the max! And they say we are in recession, ya right!
All the perishables are discounted, for ex baby bell cheese, was $4, instead of $10! 4L of milk $2. But the prices aren’t marked, so if you shop there a lot you would know your prices. But good luck with the line-ups, I waited 1 hour just to cancel my membership..
As an anti-walmart shopper…I’m not sad. Never been to a Sam’s Club. The few times I have ever been to a Wal-Mart it took me forever to find what I was looking for not to mention only one person can fit in an aisle at one time. The cash is always crazy and I’m dying of heat. I do have a Costco membership and although I don’t require lots of bulk items I do purchase my meat there (it’s Canadian meat) and vacuum seal and freeze in portions and some produce like berries. I also purchase my soap, TP, and cleaning products there especially when they have instant rebates. Like Carla mentioned, I don’t need to shop as much.
http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D96K6MCG0.htm
Ill. Wal-Mart employee sets himself on fire, dies
Suburban Chicago officials say a Wal-Mart employee has died after setting himself on fire outside the store where he worked.
Randy Sater is a watch commander with the Bloomingdale Police Department. He says 58-year-old Larry Graziano of Carol Stream used lighter fluid to set himself on fire late Thursday.
Sater says Graziano told police he “couldn’t take it anymore.” Police say bystanders tried to help, but Graziano fought them off.
The Cook County Medical Examiner’s office says Graziano was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead about 1 a.m.
Dan Fogleman is a spokesman for Bentonville, Ark.-based Wal-Mart. He says Graziano was a 7-year employee who worked nights stocking shelves. He says Graziano had no reported personnel issues.
I am saddened to see Sam’s Club close. I’ve been a member since it was opened and always enjoyed shopping there. I love their perogies and fresh black berries when in season. The Member’s Mark capuccino is delicious to mention a few. I notice some readers bashing Sam’s Club and then go on to say, they’ve never been to one! Quite dumb don’t you think to bash a place you’ve not been to? And for those anti-Walmarters, perhaps you should go to Pusateri’s to do your grocery, and Holt Renfrew for your ladies’ needs. And please don’t tell me you don’t go to Walmart for all the cheapies that came with the coupons! Hypocrites!
“And please don’t tell me you don’t go to Walmart for all the cheapies that came with the coupons!”~ lisa
Hi Lisa
I know many people (myself included) who do not shop Walmart.
There is a lot of questionable behaviour that happens with companies such as Walmart. If you google their name you will see examples of how this company operates. Pushing Canadian/American manufactures to third world countries, flooding our markets back in the 80’s with Chinese goods, fighting the working poor in Canada, etc etc.
Take care
Alex
I have missed you Alex, where have you been?
Alex is right. While I cannot say that I do not shop at Wal-Mart, it is true for me to say that I rarely shop there. It is not necessarily cheaper (but it can be, I know), I don’t use Glade or Swiffer or similar products to take advantage of such coupons and so much stuff is made in China and lately, that’s not a selling point in our house. It’s very difficult to find someone to help you, and to help you with a smile is next to impossible.
As for Sam’s Club…there were none near here. I wonder where the heck they were?
I agree with Alex and Rox. Has anyone seen the documentary Wal-mart nation on CBC’s the Lens. Very informative. I didn’t have a Sam’s club near me therefore I commented on my few (maybe 5X)experiences at Wal-mart. I think for a company that revenued 280 billion dollars in one year can’t pay and give better benefits to their employees…actually they could probably resolve/take care of the economic crisis in the US alone. I could continue forever on this topic but I’ll end it here.
I’m sooo sad to see Sam’s Club go! It was a great place! :'( . I’m going to miss it sooo much! Wal-Mart shouldn’t have let Sam’s Club go!
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