Wal-Mart Reports Losses for the First Time in a Decade

The second quarter profit report for Wal-Mart showed losses for the first time in a decade. The CEO stated that it was caused by thrifty customers who are not driving as far now to the stores. The price of fuel is causing fewer trips to the store and the amount purchased per trip is increasing. Perhaps, Wal-Mart could lower the prices on their gasoline stations by a much greater amount to encourage the thrifty drivers to fuel up while shopping.

Perhaps, the closing of downtown, easily-accessible stores is not as good a thing as people once thought. The huge Wal-Mart stores have to be built on the edges of towns and thus require driving to them. The Mom and Pop stores of the inner city are within walking distance and may provide a more convenient avenue for shopping during this fuel crisis.

People are moving nearer to their jobs, so I foresee that Wal-Mart will begin to build housing units on its properties, so that thrifty shoppers can move within walking distance of their favorite store. Many of them can also get jobs at the Wal-Mart store and complete the cycle. I foresee that some churches may start satellite churches near to the Wal-Mart stores to provide for the increase in housing.

Churches may also have to resurrect the use of buses to bring not just children to church, but whole families to church. The cost of diesel is high, and the mileage of buses is low, but shared among all who could ride on one might make it attractive again.