Is Big W the same as Walmart?
Jul 23rd 2004, 3:09 am
#1
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Is Big W the same as Walmart?
I know this is a silly question but I'd still like to know. Years ago when I first met my mother in law she told me something like "at least Australia doesn't have Walmart", and all the negative that comes with it I suppose. She told me her biggest issue with it is the fact that employees are not allowed to become unionized. Fair enough. When I visited Australia I got my film developed in a store called "Big W". The funny thing is all of the signs are exactly the same as Walmart signs, and the store is set up the same way. I checked out the Big W website and there is no mention of Walmart. I even emailed them but got no response. Any insight?
Jul 23rd 2004, 3:25 am
#2
Joined: Jan 2003
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From what I've read, they are not the same company, but there may be some links between the two.
The Walmart influence over Woolworths
Bung something like walmart "big w" into a search engine.
There's a few articles discussing Woolies and Wal-Mart as competitors esp in the UK?
The Walmart influence over Woolworths
Go into any of Woolies Big W stores around Australia and its like a mini Walmart Supercentre, The colour scheme, the look, the 'stack em high' approach to merchandising
There's a few articles discussing Woolies and Wal-Mart as competitors esp in the UK?
Jul 23rd 2004, 3:30 am
#3
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 13,233
OT - does anyone use the selfserve tills in Big W?
They are so annoying...
"Unexpected item in the bagging area"
"Item removed from bagging area. Please replace item.."
Aaargghh! I'm all for technology that helps you but these things can be worse than a pimply cashier sometimes.
They are so annoying...
"Unexpected item in the bagging area"
"Item removed from bagging area. Please replace item.."
Aaargghh! I'm all for technology that helps you but these things can be worse than a pimply cashier sometimes.
Jul 23rd 2004, 3:50 am
#4
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Originally posted by JulesandChris
OT - does anyone use the selfserve tills in Big W?
They are so annoying...
"Unexpected item in the bagging area"
"Item removed from bagging area. Please replace item.."
Aaargghh! I'm all for technology that helps you but these things can be worse than a pimply cashier sometimes.
OT - does anyone use the selfserve tills in Big W?
They are so annoying...
"Unexpected item in the bagging area"
"Item removed from bagging area. Please replace item.."
Aaargghh! I'm all for technology that helps you but these things can be worse than a pimply cashier sometimes.
You must have very posh Big W, never heard of that up in QLD
Jul 23rd 2004, 3:54 am
#5
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Re: Is Big W the same as Walmart?
Originally posted by PaulaJ
I know this is a silly question but I'd still like to know. Years ago when I first met my mother in law she told me something like "at least Australia doesn't have Walmart", and all the negative that comes with it I suppose. She told me her biggest issue with it is the fact that employees are not allowed to become unionized. Fair enough. When I visited Australia I got my film developed in a store called "Big W". The funny thing is all of the signs are exactly the same as Walmart signs, and the store is set up the same way. I checked out the Big W website and there is no mention of Walmart. I even emailed them but got no response. Any insight?
I know this is a silly question but I'd still like to know. Years ago when I first met my mother in law she told me something like "at least Australia doesn't have Walmart", and all the negative that comes with it I suppose. She told me her biggest issue with it is the fact that employees are not allowed to become unionized. Fair enough. When I visited Australia I got my film developed in a store called "Big W". The funny thing is all of the signs are exactly the same as Walmart signs, and the store is set up the same way. I checked out the Big W website and there is no mention of Walmart. I even emailed them but got no response. Any insight?
It can be very confusing especially with duplication of names. Big W is an offshoot of Woolworths in Australia. Woolworths is a grocery retailer and I believe "stole" the F.W. Woolworths name from the US chain when established. The two are unrelated.
In the UK Woolworths (unrelated to the Aus one) is more like the US Woolworths. Confusingly, however, they also have Big W which are similar to Australian Big W stores, though again I believe unrelated.
To add to the confusion the Oz Woolworths is headed by Roger Corbett, the UK Woolworths by Gerald Corbett, again I believe unrelated
I won't even get onto Target (or Tarjay as I prefer to call it!)
Last edited by jayr; Jul 23rd 2004 at 4:01 am.
Jul 23rd 2004, 5:27 am
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Re: Is Big W the same as Walmart?
Originally posted by PaulaJ
I know this is a silly question but I'd still like to know. Years ago when I first met my mother in law she told me something like "at least Australia doesn't have Walmart", and all the negative that comes with it I suppose. She told me her biggest issue with it is the fact that employees are not allowed to become unionized. Fair enough. When I visited Australia I got my film developed in a store called "Big W". The funny thing is all of the signs are exactly the same as Walmart signs, and the store is set up the same way. I checked out the Big W website and there is no mention of Walmart. I even emailed them but got no response. Any insight?
I know this is a silly question but I'd still like to know. Years ago when I first met my mother in law she told me something like "at least Australia doesn't have Walmart", and all the negative that comes with it I suppose. She told me her biggest issue with it is the fact that employees are not allowed to become unionized. Fair enough. When I visited Australia I got my film developed in a store called "Big W". The funny thing is all of the signs are exactly the same as Walmart signs, and the store is set up the same way. I checked out the Big W website and there is no mention of Walmart. I even emailed them but got no response. Any insight?
Cheers
Lee
Jul 23rd 2004, 5:41 am
#7
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Re: Is Big W the same as Walmart?
Originally posted by leejo
Walmart (ASDA) is just what Australia needs. A bit of serious competition. An improvement from the Coles and Woolworths which are similiar to SPAR in the UK.
Cheers
Lee
Walmart (ASDA) is just what Australia needs. A bit of serious competition. An improvement from the Coles and Woolworths which are similiar to SPAR in the UK.
Cheers
Lee
2 people own the shops.
One owns the airline.
If theres an election put a lunatic up as the opposition ruling out any competition.
Dont shoot me I was half joking
Jul 23rd 2004, 5:43 am
#8
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Re: Is Big W the same as Walmart?
Originally posted by leejo
Walmart (ASDA) is just what Australia needs. A bit of serious competition. An improvement from the Coles and Woolworths which are similiar to SPAR in the UK.
Cheers
Lee
Walmart (ASDA) is just what Australia needs. A bit of serious competition. An improvement from the Coles and Woolworths which are similiar to SPAR in the UK.
Cheers
Lee
There are many small merchants, often right next to the supermarkets, offering better products and lower prices.
Jul 23rd 2004, 5:54 am
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Re: Is Big W the same as Walmart?
Originally posted by Megalania
What Aus needs is for its people to wake up that every time they drive to the malls, they are being screwed. That a moment's convenience now translates into hip pocket transplants later.
There are many small merchants, often right next to the supermarkets, offering better products and lower prices.
What Aus needs is for its people to wake up that every time they drive to the malls, they are being screwed. That a moment's convenience now translates into hip pocket transplants later.
There are many small merchants, often right next to the supermarkets, offering better products and lower prices.
In an idea world the small retailer would rule. Better prices, better quality.
But those days have gone and it's time to move on. The global market is here and here to stay.
Cheers
Lee
Jul 23rd 2004, 6:03 am
#10
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Re: Is Big W the same as Walmart?
Originally posted by Megalania
What Aus needs is for its people to wake up that every time they drive to the malls, they are being screwed. That a moment's convenience now translates into hip pocket transplants later.
There are many small merchants, often right next to the supermarkets, offering better products and lower prices.
What Aus needs is for its people to wake up that every time they drive to the malls, they are being screwed. That a moment's convenience now translates into hip pocket transplants later.
There are many small merchants, often right next to the supermarkets, offering better products and lower prices.
It may just be the suburb I live in but there are some very good small butchers and deli food stores around
Jul 23rd 2004, 6:10 am
#11
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Re: Is Big W the same as Walmart?
Originally posted by leejo
Totally agree with 'the being screwed every time you visit the mall.'
In an idea world the small retailer would rule. Better prices, better quality.
But those days have gone and it's time to move on. The global market is here and here to stay.
Cheers
Lee
Totally agree with 'the being screwed every time you visit the mall.'
In an idea world the small retailer would rule. Better prices, better quality.
But those days have gone and it's time to move on. The global market is here and here to stay.
Cheers
Lee
Jul 23rd 2004, 6:45 am
#12
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I suppose the Walmart/superstore debate will go on forever. Every time I go I'm torn between wanting to shop at my small local merchants but knowing I get more value for money at the bigger stores.
I'm not entirely convinced the stores are not connected in some way. Same signs. Same slogans. Same name tags. If Big W was operating in the states surely they'd be sued by Walmart for some kind of trademark violations. (Of course in the US it doesn't take much to get sued).
Anyway, thanks for the input.
Paula
I'm not entirely convinced the stores are not connected in some way. Same signs. Same slogans. Same name tags. If Big W was operating in the states surely they'd be sued by Walmart for some kind of trademark violations. (Of course in the US it doesn't take much to get sued).
Anyway, thanks for the input.
Paula
Jul 23rd 2004, 6:57 am
#13
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Re: Is Big W the same as Walmart?
Originally posted by PaulaJ
I know this is a silly question but I'd still like to know. Years ago when I first met my mother in law she told me something like "at least Australia doesn't have Walmart", and all the negative that comes with it I suppose. She told me her biggest issue with it is the fact that employees are not allowed to become unionized. Fair enough. When I visited Australia I got my film developed in a store called "Big W". The funny thing is all of the signs are exactly the same as Walmart signs, and the store is set up the same way. I checked out the Big W website and there is no mention of Walmart. I even emailed them but got no response. Any insight?
I know this is a silly question but I'd still like to know. Years ago when I first met my mother in law she told me something like "at least Australia doesn't have Walmart", and all the negative that comes with it I suppose. She told me her biggest issue with it is the fact that employees are not allowed to become unionized. Fair enough. When I visited Australia I got my film developed in a store called "Big W". The funny thing is all of the signs are exactly the same as Walmart signs, and the store is set up the same way. I checked out the Big W website and there is no mention of Walmart. I even emailed them but got no response. Any insight?
Sad I know, but here is the list of the current Walmart divisions.Hubby works for one of them but not heard any plans to develop further................having said that nothing is impossible and knowing the concept behind Walmart, who knows what may turn up on the street corner
International Web Sites
Argentina: www.wal-mart.com.ar/nuevo/index2.php
Brazil: http://www.walmartbrasil.com.br/wmbr...s/HomePage.jsp
Canada: www.walmartcanada.ca
China: www.wal-martchina.com
Germany: www.walmartgermany.de
Japan: http://www.the-seiyu.com/
Mexico: www.walmartmexico.com.mx
Korea: www.walmartkorea.com
Puerto Rico: www.walmartpr.com
United Kingdom: www.asda.com
Jul 23rd 2004, 7:29 am
#14
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Originally posted by jayr
You must have very posh Big W, never heard of that up in QLD
You must have very posh Big W, never heard of that up in QLD
I think the one near us does in Taigum (QLD) - just two poxy tills that are never used mind
