Sam’s Club and Wal-Mart both have a large and growing on-line presence, and almost everything they carry in stock may be ordered on-line, for either delivery directly to your address (for WAY less than driving to the store) or the item(s) are sent to the store for your pick-up there.
In fact, they will have many items at special on-line pricing, that are just a little higher as in-store stock.
And many locations also have self-guided checkout stands, thus eliminating one of the bottlenecks for in-store shopping, and incidentally sometimes several cashiers.
Despite the lay-offs, Wal-Mart is not failing. They are continuing to respond to demands for ever greater productivity from the work force they already have.
They are venturing into some smaller stores now too, to fill consumer needs.
One of their Neighborhood Markets is being built near here only about 3 miles from their big store
http://www.thestreet.com/story/12034290/1/wal-mart-plans-500-us-neighborhood-market-stores.html
“They are continuing to respond to demands for ever greater productivity from the work force they already have.”
As are all of us small businesses out here in 0bamacare Land! 29 hours a week. Period. Seasonal for 12 weeks. Period. Kind of dreading this upcoming spring season - which after 9 years is a FIRST for me.