Slashdot Mirror
Wal-Mart, Amazon Battle For Online Retail's Future
Hugh Pickens writes "The NY Times reports that Amazon and Wal-Mart are waging a price war for the future of online retailing that is spreading through product areas like books, movies, toys, and electronics. The tussle began last month over which company had the lowest prices on the most anticipated new books and DVDs this fall, but has now spread to select video game consoles, mobile phones, even to the humble Easy-Bake Oven. 'It's not about the prices of books and movies anymore. There is a bigger battle being fought,' said Fiona Dias, executive vice president at GSI Commerce, which manages the Web sites of large retailers. 'The price-sniping by Wal-Mart is part of a greater strategic plan. They are just not going to cede their business to Amazon.' Wal-Mart, with $405 billion in sales last year, dominates by offering affordable prices to Middle America in its 4,000 stores, while Amazon, with $20 billion in sales, caters mostly to affluent urbanites who would rather not push around a cart. But Amazon is expanding its slice of the retail pie at an alarming rate — its sales shot up 28 percent in the third quarter of this year; and sales in Amazon's electronics and general merchandise business are up 44 percent. 'We have to put our foot down and refuse to let them grow more powerful,' says Dias. 'I applaud Wal-Mart. It's about time multichannel retailers stood up and refused to let their business go away.'"
There are some consequences.
Excuse me, I believe those middle America shoppers are called Real Americans. People these days.
If that's the price I have to pay to get a pet WALL*E, so be it.
Benford's Corollary to Clarke's Law: "Any technology distinguishable from magic is insufficiently advanced."
This is like two pox-ridden whores fighting over which one gets to service the local hockey team. Whoever comes out on top, the only winner is the guy selling condoms, and the only thing certain is that a lot of people are going to get screwed.
I've calculated my velocity with such exquisite precision that I have no idea where I am.
Add 12% tax, $5 customs handling, $45 brokerage, ~$20 shipping, and 6% duty onto just about anything you buy from the US online.
I was under the impression that Canadians liked paying taxes.
I was under the impression that Canadians liked paying taxes.
Well played, my American friend. :-)
Signed, A Canadian, eh
So, you say that in order to take a stance on what I believe in, I might need to sacrifice something? Shocking! Who knew that having principles could be so darned inconvenient? Guess I'll just have to give up trying to be a good person.