Walmart Is Getting Tired of Just Being a Store

psychothumbs@lemmy.world to News@lemmy.world – 58 points –
Walmart Is Getting Tired of Just Being a Store
nymag.com
22

“Walmart is tired of making less money than Amazon.” Is likely closer to the truth.

Everytime I go to a Wal-Mart I wonder how many bowling allies I could stuff into the building

I always get worried I’ve wandered into 3rd world country moving around the store, which I assume is why there are so many american flags hanging everywhere to remind me “no, it’s just walmart.”

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The retail giant is in talks to buy smart television-manufacturer Vizio for more than $2 billion, according to people familiar with the situation. The move would give Walmart more places where it can sell ads and pitch shoppers on goods. … Walmart gets most of its U.S. revenue from its grocery business, which typically has low profit margins. Executives see the Walmart Connect ad unit as a path to heftier profits and a way to generate cash beyond the company’s longtime engine of selling goods through stores.

Man, I like Vizio's, I don't want them to become Great Value TVs...

Vizio is kindof like Costco's Kirkland brand. They don't actually manufacture anything, they just select high-margin products that they can have contract manufactured cheaply, have some reasonable QC standards applied, and slap their name on the product.

So they're already kindof like Great Value TVs, though clearly held to a higher standard than most Great Value trash usually is.

They do actually make their own software for their TVs, many brands are just using google tv/fire tv/roku. Iirc Vizio sells their TVs at a loss and makes it up with data.

Honestly I thought Vizio was already a Walmart owned brand. It's the only reason I never considered buying one.

Don’t worry… according to the article they will just be using them to plaster ads in your face instead.

They just want an Insignia line of products like Best Buy.

Or Onn...?

Who's onn? Insignia used to be LG. At least that's what we told ourselves when I sold em.

Insignia was rebadged products from other manufacturers IIRC. I think the batteries were actually Duracell. It's the manufacturer's that run lines for other brands with less QC, hence the lower price.

Shout out to buying hospitality grade TVs that don't come with spyware and bloatware.

That's an extremely valuable shout-out, thanks. I haven't shopped for a TV in more than a decade now, but after following this rabbit hole for a little bit, you've essentially converted me to this way of thinking. It reminds me of Windows LTSC--just get the version that doesn't have the bullshit, even if you have to jump through some extra hoops or pay more.

Glad you found it useful. Someone keyed me into these a long time ago. They last a lot longer than a regular TV, like they literally use better glue and more durable components and stuff.

I can't wait until it's an art and culture magazine