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Last year, I asked whether a CNN article describing a sale at Wal-Mart was newsworthy. At worst, it seems like free advertising.
Some commenters pointed out that Wal-Mart’s actions, as the world’s biggest retailer, are important indicators for the economy. Wal-Mart’s public relations agents are too busy defending the company’s image, so I suppose it’s up to reporters to get the word out about sales.
This summer, the company is back in the news (Associated Press) after announcing they are cutting their back-to-school prices.
Under Wal-Mart’s new pricing plan, $1 will be able to buy 4 wide-ruled notebooks, 2 bottles Elmer’s glue (4 oz.) and a 24-pack of crayons. A $50 budget will be able to purchase a week’s worth of school clothes, and $80 will buy two pair of prescription glasses at the Wal-Mart Vision Center.
In some cases, Staples’ back-to-school sales beat Wal-Mart’s, so if you’re looking for deals, don’t just go with the company that gets the most press. Check out OfficeMax and Target, stores that also have back-to-school sales where supplies go for pennies.
Photo credit: Lordcous
July 24th, 2007 at 11:24 am
Sometimes great deals on notebooks and folders and such, can be found at Walgreens and such,
July 24th, 2007 at 11:28 am
I think talking about Wal-Mart’s sales figures, profits/losses, job cuts, business model etc. is news. Announcing their sales at the very least borders on advertising. Do they discuss every other retailer’s price cuts?
July 24th, 2007 at 4:03 pm
Why is Wal-Mart’s sale mentioned on the news (especially local news)? As a former television station employee (both in news and sales) it all comes down to filling the time in the show. Further, as advertising rates have gone down for local stations many stations have had to reduce their staff and rely more and more on faxed press releases and video packages. Often the press releases are not really news so much as companies announcing stuff like a back to school sale. A news producer creates a “go to” file of things that they can run if they come up short when putting together their show. Hence you see a lot of info that just isn’t news hitting the air now.
July 30th, 2007 at 10:08 pm