Waiting for midnight, hungry families on food stamps give Walmart 'enormous spike' in sales

[Better Believe It]

Waiting for midnight, hungry families on food stamps give Walmart 'enormous spike'
By Jessica Hopper
Rock Center, MSNBC
November 28, 2011

At the stroke of midnight, a growing number of Americans are lining up at Walmart not to cash in on a holiday sale, but because they’re hungry.

The increasing number of Americans relying on food stamps to survive the sluggish economic recovery has changed the way the largest retailer in the United States does business.

Carol Johnston, Walmart’s senior vice president of store development, said that store managers have seen an “enormous spike” in the number of consumers shopping at midnight on the first of the month. That’s typically when those receiving federal food assistance have their accounts refilled each month.

“We’ll bring in more staff to stock. We’ll also make sure all of our registers…are open…Some people may think at 12:01, Walmart’s very quiet, but in a lot of our areas of the country, 12:01 is a big day or a big night for us, actually,” Johnston said.

Please read the full article at:

http://rockcenter.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/11/28/9069519-waiting-for-midnight-hungry-families-on-food-stamps-give-walmart-enormous-spike

[peacebird]

1. This is beyond depressing...

[WildNovember]

2. Yes. it is. Only one thing would bring you to Walmart at midnight -- you have no food.

Otherwise, you'd wait to shop normal hours.

But ooh, isn't it nice that Walmart is getting that new business!

[Better Believe It]

6. The Walton family needs the money.

Collectively, the Waltons control over 48% of the company, and are worth a combined total of $83.5 billion (as of June 2011).

[WildNovember]

7. Yes, they do. So they can create more jobs, you see. And more art museums! Art museums

are essential.

[lonestarnot]

3. Yes. What*s worse the profit goes to richie rich.

[Better Believe It]

4. More fortunate DU'ers should read the entire article to understand how many millions are struggling

[Sub Atomic]

8. But they won't. Because they have no clue how close they are to being in the same situation.

[emilyg]

10. Each and everyone

one of us. Five years ago I was doing well - not anymore.

[JanMichael]

14. We do.

it's terrifying. One injury or illness could put us right there. I bet you would be shocked how many "more fortunate" DUers understand this perfectly.

[TBF]

22. Some may not have a clue -

but unless you're in the top tenth of the top 1% you are vulnerable.

[midnight]

5. K&R

[Historic NY]

9. And to think some would take this away...from those that need in the richest country in the world

:mad:

[Zorra]

11. Feeding the hand that bites them. nt

[chalky]

12. Once again I make the mistake of reading the comments at the end of the article.

Everything from, "they run out of food because they don't know how to cook and buy too much processed foods," to "they run out of food because they don't buy in bulk." And those are they sympathetic posters. And of course we have the usual welfare queen/illegal alien swipes.

[FirstLight]

13. didn't we see a similar article a few months ago?

...and by the way, I don't know about other states, but they don't often give you benefits on the first of the month. in fact, my cash aid shows up a full week before the food-stamps, which means I have to spend precious cash on food before the other benefits are available. in CA, the last number on the card tells you which DAY you receive benefits...


anyway, our walmart is over the mountain, so it's not feasible to go anyway...nor do they carry the organic or healthy options. I'd rather go to the local Grocery outlet, they have a seriously great selection of organic foods. I'll go to the other local market if I can't find something else i need...

[xchrom]

15. Recommend

[bengalherder]

16. K&R n/t

[Better Believe It]

17. Kick for the DU day crew

[JustAnotherGen]

18. Must read

For everyone at du. . . rec

[Solly Mack]

19. K/R

[Blue Owl]

20. Wal-Mart's monthly Black Midnight sale

Oh the irony is as rich as Sam Walton's very own fortune -- disenfranchised Americans turning to the beast that helped put them in this situation in the first place...

[Snotcicles]

21. They should give a silent 20% discount from 12:00 until 2:00 am then if they really gave a shit. nt