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(Image:
source)
In "Walmart Warns on US Weakness," the
Financial Times provides
some front-line commentary on how the consumer is really doing nowadays:
Walmart,
the biggest US retailer by revenues, warned on Tuesday that persistent
weakness in the US economy was putting pressure on its low income consumers
who are increasingly worried about unemployment and becoming more reliant on
government assistance.
The struggling
US economy is continuing to take its toll on Walmart’s
domestic sales as it reported its ninth consecutive quarter of falling sales
at US stores open at least a year. Comparable store sales at Walmart in the US, excluding fuel sales and purchases at
Sam’s Club stores, were down by 0.9 per cent from a year ago.
“We
remain concerned about the economic pressure on our customers and the
uncertain impact it can have on their shopping behaviour,”
Bill Simon, chief executive of Walmart’s US
business, said. “With this volatility, it is as important as ever to
deliver on Walmart’s one-stop shopping
promise for broad assortment and every day low
prices.”
Under the
circumstances, it's probably no surprise to learn, as the following articles
suggest, that some desperate souls are resorting to stealing dogs, meat,
grave markers, crosses, newspapers, and anything else that isn't nailed
down (and even those that are) to stay afloat amid the
so-called economic recovery:
"Protect
Your Pooch! Dog Thefts Are Up 32 Percent" (CBS)
LOS ANGELES
— If you’re one of millions of dog owners in the Los Angeles
area, be sure to keep an eye on your beloved
four-legged friend.
Dog thefts are
up 32 percent this year, according to the American Kennel Club.
Stolen dogs are
almost always resold, and are often used in laboratories or dog fights.
Pit bulls and
other large breeds are stolen the most frequently. Purebreds are also at risk
because thieves think they can get a lot of money for them.
"Operation
Meat Locker Is Latest Attempt to Ax Meat Thieves" (USA
Today)
Take care the
next time you order high-quality meat at a lower-than-possible price. With
food prices escalating, meat thieves — organized groups who target
steaks and high-end cuts at supermarkets for resale to unscrupulous
restaurants and markets — are a growing problem. They're also hitting
meat lockers, cattle pens and 18-wheelers.
The most recent
example was in Austin, where in late July police arrested six men in what
they dubbed Operation Meat Locker. The sting operation started when managers
at H-E-B, a Texas supermarket chain, called police to say that they had
stopped a couple of shoplifters who said they were selling the meat they
stole to three local restaurants.
H-E-B was
mostly worried about the safety of the consumers who were ending up eating
the meat. "They're watching these guys with this stuff in their pants,
and besides being nasty, what's the temperature of the meat?" says Sgt.
David Socha, who took part in the investigation.
"Criminals
Steal from Berrien County Cemetery"
(WNDU.com)
Lincoln Charter
Township Police say the down economy has forced criminals to a new low.
For the last
four months, dozens of floral arrangements and veteran markers have gone
missing from the Hickory Bluff Cemetery. Detectives now believe people are
stealing the mementos only to turn around and sell them at flea markets.
"There has
been more theft than normal and it is keeping us very busy,” Lincoln
Charter Township clerk Stacy Loar-Porter said.
Every theft
report comes to Porter’s office, at last count, there were more than
50.
"People go
out on the weekend and put out a beautiful plant. Then they come back the
next day to visit their loved one and it's gone,” Loar-Porter
added.
But it's not
just flowers, veteran markers, thought to be made of copper, have also been
stolen.
"Most of
the calls that I get where people have stolen are the section close to my
maintenance building and our section closet to the ravine in back. The
thieves are going to the back because people can't see them from Cleveland
Avenue,” Loar-Porter said.
"Thieves
Steal Crosses, Collection Plates From South Philadelphia Church" (CBS)
Police are
investigating the brazen theft of several sacred items, including crosses and
collection plates, from a South Philadelphia church.
The incident
happened sometime late Sunday night at St. Simon the Cyrenian
Church at 22nd and Reed Streets in the city’s Point Breeze section.
According to
investigators, the thieves stole two chalices, crucifixes, candle holders and
altar bells.
Church employee
Helen Johnston says the thieves even stole food from the kitchen and the
church’s water meter, leaving the congregation without running water.
"Newspaper
Theft on the Rise with Coupon Craze" (Recordnet.com)
This week we
step outside the newsroom to look at challenges and opportunities faced by
other departments at The Record.
We start with
the circulation department, responsible for distribution of the newspaper,
where director Peter Gutierrez and his staff are facing your basic good
news/bad news dilemma.
The good news:
There are hundreds of dollars in money-saving coupons inside the Sunday
Record - more than $1,000 in just the last two weeks alone. Subscribers get
those coupons in their delivered newspaper, or single-copy buyers can get the
potential savings by picking up an issue for $2.
The bad news:
Theft of newspapers from racks is widespread. In some cases, people are
putting eight quarters into the machine and taking every copy of The Record
(or they leave the newspaper and take only the inserts).
Newspaper
companies have always counted on the "honor system" when selling
their publications out of the racks. The concept is that buyers will pay for
and take only one newspaper. But too many people have been less than
honorable.
Why is it
happening? Well, it's a phenomenon that is not specific to Stockton.
According to published reports, similar theft has happened in many states
including Utah, Iowa and New York.
Michael J. Panzner
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