The irony was just beginning. Eventually, we tried our luck with local area Walmart stores. They gave "yes" and "no" answers (actually, only "yes" answers so far). This so-called "evil" retail giant was the only one with managers who were brave enough to accept our unique magazine, and they actually made independent decisions like managers are supposed to do. Walmart managers are not afraid to work with us because Walmart gives them a certain amount of local control, and Walmart apparently has old-fashioned respect for its employees and their local communities.
There has been a lot of bad press surrounding Walmart for years, but I am beginning to wonder if much of it is the result of Walmart's success. It is much easier to pick on Walmart than smaller companies. Practically all retail chains are known to treat their workers poorly, and purchase most of their products from China. Funnily enough, it is just Walmart that seems to get attacked for it. There were actually dozens of competitor companies that sold out their country to China long before Walmart began selling Chinese items, and now Walmart must do it as well to compete against them.
We had expected Walmart to be the hardest store to convince, but this has not been the case. Local Walmart stores should be carrying the magazine within two weeks. We hope to expand to nationwide distribution, which could happen within 6 months, but right now; we are just at the stage of having a regional "test market" to see how well the magazine sells. If the reactions we have seen are indicative, then it will be difficult to keep the magazine stocked on the shelves.
It has been really exciting for all of us.
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