Wal-Mart Supplier Survey

Recently Discount Retailer magazine in NWA did its annual supplier survey on Walmart/Sams. I have been very vocal through the years on the way Wal-Mart goes to market these days and the reaction that the supplier community has to Wal-mart's "Go to market plan".

I based my direct opinions on a 20 yr. career in Retail Sales that had me dealing with all classes of trade, but exclusive to Wal-Mart for 12 of those 20.

The top issues for Suppliers haven't changed in the last 15 years is the news flash. Technology has changed , People have come & gone, Brands have also, but the problems remain the same. A sad state of affairs if I'm the retailer or the supplier.

Profitability, Replenishment, and some lack of chemistry for problem solving retail issues remain the top "barks". So why no solutions?

Biggest reason appears to be the political posturing still in the supplier community. Afraid to engage to the betterment of the retail environment. Why posture the facts to the media? Answer : It's the way America works these days! Talking behind peoples back is the norm these days. We have let political correctness ruin good fast to market problem solving.

Yes, I heard the same issues 15 years ago. 68% claim profitable growth top concern, 56% shifting priorities/personnel, 54% store execution, and 43% collaboration.

Heres the difference , we took those issues seriously and didn't take the same results as acceptable. Accountability held a must with both sides of the companies. People were removed and people hired to stay on top of the "change" agreed to. No blaming to past teams or strategies, just a firm agreed plan, with strict points of engagement to stay on coarse. Personal issues were left off the table, disagreements were just that, but not bottlenecks, and changes in plans or failure to execute were dealt with collectively, no finger pointing.

It's not a different time and place, but leaders have to be leaders, and problems that rise to the top of Survey's should be red flags for the future, not the same problems never being solved.

Play Ball Ladies and Gentlemen!!!

Training camp begins at Haaseline Entertainment