Wake-Up Wal-Mart Update

Happy New Year from all of us here at WakeUpWalMart.com. Thank you all for such a successful 2005! The first week of the new year has been full of encouraging news for those grassroots leaders engaged in the movement to change Wal-Mart:

Foot Traffic Down in Wal-Mart Stores in December

On Wednesday, Wal-Mart made a startling revelation about their December sales - foot traffic in their stores was actually down this December compared to last December. That is incredible news.

“Wal-Mart Says December Sales May Crimp 4th-Qtr Profit” from Bloomberg:

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000103&sid=aM5pW83VW7mQ&refer=us

Wal-Mart’s Holiday Sales Worst in 5 Years

Have you seen the latest articles about Wal-Mart's holiday sales?

“Wal-Mart Has Worst Holiday Sales in 5 Years” from the Seattle Post Intelligencer: http://www.wakeupwalmart.com/news/20060102-spi.html

“Wal-Mart aside, retailers on track for December” from Reuters:

http://www.wakeupwalmart.com/news/20060102-reut.html

Planet of the Insensitive

Is someone at Wal-Mart playing some racist joke or is this just a glitch? Check out what some of our supporters emailed us about this week. You won’t believe it. When you typed in “Planet of the Apes: The Complete TV series,” Wal-Mart actually recommended a movie about ‘Martin Luther King: I Have a Dream’ and 'Introducing Dorothy Dandridge.’

Remember Wal-Mart’s recent past: Last year, Wal-Mart used a Nazi image in an ad, called the police on an African-American executive who wanted to purchase gift cards, and was sued by an African-American truck driver for racial discrimination.

For Wal-Mart’s website to associate movies about prominent African American leaders with “Planet of the Apes: The TV Series” is extremely offensive. CEO Lee Scott and Wal-Mart owe all of America, and especially every African American, not only an apology, but a detailed explanation of how and why Wal-mart’s DVD “mapping system” would ever make such racist recommendations.

Click below to see the “Before” and “After” screenshots:

http://blog.wakeupwalmart.com/ufcw/2006/01/is_this_for_rea.html#more

Wal-Mart Pays for Overcharging Bulk-Item Customers in Wisconsin

Eight Wal-Mart stores in five Wisconsin cities were cited for overcharging for bulk items like coffee, grapes, and sweet potatoes. Collectively, they were ordered to pay more than $25,000 for those offenses. Consumer Protection officials say they will continue inspecting Wal-Mart stores across the state, and if the problems aren’t fixed they may pursue legal action against the company.

“Wal-Mart Pays for Overcharging Bulk-Item Customers” from ABC News:

http://www.wbay.com/global/story.asp?s=4325881&ClientType=Printable

Remember When…?

Remember waking up at 4 am on Black Friday to brave the bitter cold and pass out flyers? Remember all of the hard work it took to plan a film screening, a candlelight vigil, a neighborhood canvass? Did you ever wonder: is all of this work worth it?

After this week’s news, the answer is clear. Grassroots activists made a huge difference. Grassroots leaders took to the streets, had conversations with thousands of customers, educated millions last year. And the American people responded – our movement is growing by leaps and bounds.

Congratulations on a great '05. We're ready for an even better '06. Let’s keep up the pressure!