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ORIGINAL: SilverMark

As a retailer, first for those who think "it's about time" we have over built etc etc. you may all take a flying ...oh well not worth getting moderated over. I am glad there are so many experts on business floating around here.

(Aren't there always?)

I didn't lose a dime nor an employee during the Christmas season but the culling that is taking place at present isn't the natural course of the market. You may believe what you wish but, on a subject that I am indeed a bit of an expert on, please allow me to say you have no f-ing clue.

I'm constantly stunned at those who have the innate ability to offer "bidness expertise" who have been at best, itinerant shoppers.  Having been a business man for well over 31 years, and one with local, national as well as international businesses (yes, really), it never ceases to astound me those who (forgive me) live in station wagons...who suddenly have unparalleled advice as to how things work.

(Trust me...{they} don't).

I am not overly wealthy but, I am successful and have fought the retail wars since 1982 and have seen in good times what the market will do and not do. Those who run inefficiently are taken out but, this is not one of those times. When all you have left is Wal-Mart revisit this post and understand what has taken place to a number of good retailers. There are a number of your local retailers that will go long before the "Big Boys" they will be your neighbors, your friends and your community members. pa, for you to talk of Buffy and Biff when you eat free government cheese certainly makes you an absolute expert of the path things should go. I have sad news for you....Buffy and Biff will be just fine but, your neighbor may not be, your local retailer will probably not be nor will your local carpenter, developer etc. etc. etc..

I will defer, obviously, to your expertise, but I'm a big fan of WalMart.  They started with nothing, against every big 5 and 10 out there in their day...and they won.  I don't see anything in WalMart other than the opportunity...which they took...and they won.

And I'm equally confident they have taken advantage, and as they possibly should, via their now size....be warranted....but I wonder to some degree...wouldn't that also take away from every other opportunity that avails itself now?