Wal-Mart Should Have "Large Size" Stores - A Hopeful Rant

  Cross-post from the Main Forum  Back in my biggie days, I spent some time talking to a good friend of mine who has been a greeter for many years at the local Wal-Mart Super Center where I still frequently shop ..    I recall "Frank" back then telling me how Wal-Mart had plans to open certain stores in the major metro areas of the U.S. to carry certain lines of products that they don't normally carry in their retail stores ..  That evening I had just come to the store after shopping around at Casual Male, Repp Big & Tall, etc. for pants earlier in the day  ..  It was exasperating - I couldnt' believe how much those stores charge for large size men's clothing  ..  typically 2-4x what "normal size" clothes would sell for ..  (I'm amazed that some poor, very big men don't end up having to go nude!).  Atlhough I can understand some increased cost that needs to be passed along due to the larger amoung of materials needed (and perhaps less of a demand), I really think these type of stores are taking gross advantage of the situation   --   that big people need clothing too.   Frank's comments got me to thinking that night, and I opined to him, how it would be a good idea, IMHO, if Wal-Mart would consider opening one of its specialty stores in each major metro U.S. area  -- one that would carry only merchandise designed or built for plus size people.  With their incredibly enormous buying power (no pun intended), I would think Wal-Mart would be able to swing such a concept and finally be able to offer prices comparable to those of similar merchandise for "regular" sized people.  It would also be a great p.r. stroke for Wal-Mart and fulfill a growing community need (again, no pun intended).        If anyone knows the powers-that-be at Wal-Mart, I wish they'd pass this idea along to them.   Maybe a "petition" or letter-writing campaign to those officials might help expedite the idea, as well.

I took a quick look at Wal-Mart online and they do have an extensive selection of big and tall shirts but their selection of pants is severly limited.  The largest pants they cover are 3XL which may be good for a lot of the men here, but I'm using 4XL pants (sometimes larger depending on the manufacturer) after losing 200 lbs.  I guess there's a bigger demand for larger shirts than pants.

I HAVE walked back, there ..  And I don't know about the store you shop at, but the one I visit here in Garland, although they do have some size 2-4X underwear for men and a few casual shirts in 2-4X, once you get into the 50s you're screwed as far as pants go ..  and they offer very little in the way of dress stuff in big sizes .. This limited inventory surprises me, in light of how America is fattening up over the last few decades ..  (btw, I have no idea what the store carries as far as women's large sizes, as I have had no reason to walk back THERE)   ...    There is a lot of merchandise other than clothes a specialty store could carry, as can be seen from the many successful stores of that type online ..  Larger chairs, seats, beds, even toilet seats (I bought a "Big John" toilet seat online once, cost me over $100!) ...    As to my friend Frank, I wouldn't hesitate to guess that he has more biz sense than many of the pencil-pushers at Wal-Mart.  The man was born to deaf and mute parents (he "speaks" Ameslan, flulently, btw, as a result) and has been happily married for 50+ years to a deaf lady whom he dearly loves,  He put in 40 years with the U.S. postal service as a clerk (receives a double pension, for that), is a war vet (gets a pension there, too) and is college-degreed in education.  He's not the usual Wal-Mart greeter, you have to admit.  He has worked there for 8 years primarily as something to keep him busy and out of his wife's hair @ 80+.  I really appreciate his take on the company and their practices, policies and short-comings.  I think the powers that be at Wal-Mart might benefit from his advice based on his common grass-roots experience working there!

The other thing to consider is that the quality of Walmart big size clothing is the quality.  I've found that once you wash them, the tend to shrink "vertically" meaning the shirts are often too short.  I know it sucks to pay what Casual Male or Repp asks, but the quality is much better.  You can alway**** the bargain racks. But it would be nice if Walmart would carry name brand stuff of better quality which would still be half the price of CM or REPP. Of course, then again, maybe the ultimate goal (once I have my surgery) is to get bargain regular size clothing at Old Navy.  LOL.

As someone who has been on both sides of the fence...let me tell you Casual big and talls stuff is CRAP.  I MEAN SUBPAR.  You get a better quality t shirt at old navy ...for 10 dollars then you do at  Casual for 40.   I agree walmart close are cheap...thats why I don't buy them.....I am very thankful that for the first time in years...and perhaps the first time in my life.  I can go into any store....and find my size. Scott

 I agree with that in regard to some of their merchandise, Scott ..  I used to buy their Harbor Bay "chinos"  or "Dockers" look-alike causal slacks all the time ..  The frustrating thing is that, after so many washings and wearings, those pants would undoubtedly "fatigue out" along the crotch seam.  One day while wearing them you would bend over or go to sit down in a carseat or chair and, even though the slacks were loose-fitting, this area would rip wide open on you, to your embarrassment if in public ..  This happened to me I don't know how many times, and at first I thought I was just having rotten luck or had gained a bit of weight maybe since I bought them  ..  Looking back now I really wonder if this was an intentional flaw, a case of "built in obsolescence" (sp. ?) on the part of the manufacturer, so that you would end up having to buy new replacement pants after a certain length of time!      However, I remember CM's Alexander Lloyd line of dress shirts were great ..  I wore like maybe the same 3 shirts weekly for a year or even two .. They'd wash up and look almost as good as new, over and over again, with only very minimal fading, high durability, and only slight wrinkling that came out in the dryer .. (I think the line was later named after George Foreman, but he's no longer a spokesperson for CM, so I don't know what they call that line now at CM) ..  

i remember a few years back wall street said the best sector was enlarging the usa! these companies that make larger booths, toilet seats, doors etc were the way to go. there's money to made with the fattening of america. i remember watching a show where this guy made a fortune with just one invention. you'll love this. you know the cooler type holders for your beverage you stick in the freezer and then slip your drink into? well, he made a similar device that holds a pint of ice cream! yep. people will sit and just eat the whole dove pint instead of a little taste. this guy knew that and created a holder so you can pig out and not freeze your hand! i think that just says it all........now where did i put mine? carbonblob