Marketing and all things related

Same store sales are stalled at retail giant Wal-Mart, so the gargantuan has decided to modify its advertising campaign. (Whenever something is wrong at retail, companies usually mistakenly turn to their advertising approach.) The famed Wal-Mart smiley is taking a rest while actors and celebrities, (not cheery employees or mouth- breathing shoppers) praise the merits of shopping at the oppressive discount retailer. The new pitch, is discovering the unexpected at Wal-Mart. “I came for eye drops, and found something eye opening.” Wal-Mart is attempting to convince higher income shoppers to purchase higher margin products. Marketing Blurb always welcomes change. But always fix merchandising before changing advertising. Any time we enter a Wal-Mart we live in fear than some overstuffed display is going to collapse and kill us--Smiley or no smiley. The Wall Street Journal has more detail, paid subscription required.