i used to go to walmart for a lot of stuff, but now their selection(various brands for the same product) is crappy and their quality does not seem as good. But i have those same complaints about best buy too.

I've never been one for Walmart, though their selection is better than my local Kmart, usually i prefer specialty stores, unless i'm looking for something that is too categorically vague for me to be certain that any one other store would have it. Last thing i bought at a Wal-mart was a graphic calculator for calculus

Not sure what to make of this. Usually downmarket institutions tend to do better in recessions, or at least remain stable, or this may have little to do with the recession at all and might just relate on Wal-Mart burning itself out, as is inevitable for a business that works that hard to expand in a single marketplace

I was hoping that they wiould bring back Walmart layaway - that way, I can get the kids the electronics that they want, and pay over time, and by the time I need it, everything will be paid off!

no clue, just can speak about germany but that is already 5 years ago or so. they tried very hard to get on the german market over years and burned  billions but they had no chance against the other supermarket chains and shops here and had to leave some years ago then.

walmart's not struggling. As a whole there yearly profit is in the billions. I work for walmart neighborhood market,which is just a grocery store,with the walmart name on it. I remember when I first invested in walmart stock years ago it was 46 dollars a share,so I'm not worried.

i think they did bring back lay a way. not sure though.

edit: http://www.mnn.com/money/personal-finance/blogs/walmart-brings-back-holiday-layaway

yea they did.

Their fresh fruit and veggies usually aren't that good.  Not sure anymore but a few years back when I was going to Texas Tech their fruit was pretty horrible.  It was like genetically modified mega fruits that had little flavor in them.  Probably not the case but it just seemed like it...  Remember the Flavr Savr tomato?  Their fruit kind of reminded me of that failed attempt.  Supposedly they are trying to get good steaks (although I don't really care since I'm trying to cut back on meat intake).  I also heard that they are trying to promote more organics.  My girlfriend just shops at HEB and Sprouts though.

i bought quite a bit of walmart stock at 57.50 early this year. It has been my best performing stock so far this year. It is doing well because people are worried about the economy and wal-mart is an excellent defensive stock and has a pretty good dividend. Wal-mart sales may go down but not nearly as much as other places, many of which are closing their doors.

Buying games at Walmart can be a pain sometimes due to their system (which is like most chain stores).  It sucks to have to wait for someone to open up the case just so you can get a video game.  I understand where they are coming from (to prevent stolen goods) but that didn't stop someone from stealing all the 3DS at a Walmart I went to last year (when I was trying to buy a 3DS and was told that is why they didn't have any).  I prefer buying my games from Amazon but I'd rather go to Gamestop than Walmart due to being able to pick up a empty box at Gamestop and give it to them.  Actually, I don't even know why I am bitching about this considering it doesn't take too much time and Gamestop sometimes keeps their used DS/GBA games in a locked case...  Those 1-2 mins are very important to me apparently when buying a game!  Also, Walmart doesn't have the best selection in games.  I noticed in some of their newer stores they have a more expanded electronics department though.