Wal-Mart starts 'aggressive' discounting plan - Consumer News - MSNBC.com

Wal-Mart starts 'aggressive' discounting plan - Consumer News - MSNBC.com

I am no fan of Wal-Mart, and that's not a secret I hold close to the vest. Most people know my feelings about the giant retailer, which are primarily based on customer-experience and quality-assurance issues. But when I saw this, it struck me. Growing up in a small, fairly affluent small city and attending schools where many of the most successful and educated parents sent their kids, I never really knew anyone who had to choose between feeding their family and paying their electric bill, or between a tank of gas and buying school supplies for their kids. Or at least I never knew they struggled like that.

Thanks to the internet, now I do. And I know they love their kids and want to give them things and make them proud as much as I do my children. And it breaks my heart to see them struggle when they're such good people, people who volunteer and help others but who can't afford to fill up their table at dinner.

So reading this, I thought of that. I don't like Wal-Mart, and I don't think it's a good company with a healthy work environment. But because Wal-Mart exists, because of their new strategy, school shopping will cost a little less for the people who desperately need it most. Maybe it means they'll eat better for a few nights, or that they can drive to the park or the library rather than staying at home to conserve gas.

For me, I still wouldn't go to Wal-Mart. I would choose Target, or an office store, because I just don't like going. But pennies on pencils and paper do make a difference to some people. A big difference. And in moments like this, well...I'm glad there's a Wal-Mart.