olebat

While traveling, I check out all the Walmarts, grabbing a deli bite here, a drink there, forgotten batteries, and, "Oh, while we're here, let me just check the fabric selection." I must say that I am pleased that fabrics have returned to so many stores. At the same time, however, I note that their marketing is confusing. Items are grouped by price, so that there is a big sign over a rack proclaiming $4.87, or $1.50, or whatever the price happens to be. That was OK for the mark down/clearance selections. However, I find it disconcerting to have quilters select, satin's, flannels and fleece all grouped together. When I spy a pretty piece, I'm disheartened to learn that it is a dressmakers cotton/poly blend.

Trying to analyze why that may be done, the only thing I could think of was to save time for the person at the cutting table when re-shelving bolts. Is this an effective way of marketing? Are they displaying a stroke of genius following their disastrous decisions of removing fabric? Am I not being open minded about change?

If I want flannel, I go to the flannel section, if I am in the mood for homespun, there is a section for that, if I need upholstery, it too is grouped together. I don't want to spend time looking at all the other things in a given price range, especially when I have no idea how much the fabric may cost in the first place. Are they thinking I'll make an impulse buy when I see something in a certain area? It hasn't worked. Six Walmart stops, and no fabrics did I buy. I was tempted at one store. The clearance aisle had fat quarters for 75cents, and jelly rolls for $7. Looked like out of season . . . they were not store worn or brand discontinuance.

So, are your local Walmarts doing the same thing? Do you find it frustrating? Do we need to start writing to cooperate again asking them to rethink this strategy?

amma

Ours is not displaying this way... they are still grouped as cottons, flannels, etc... :D:D:D

jljack

I don't think they all do it that way. Our local WMs group by fabric type. I haven't seen it by price. Maybe that's unique to a specific part of the U.S.?

jean1941

Not by price at my closest store or any that I have been in the last few months

valsma

Our WalMart doesn't shelf their fabrics by price, but by type of fabric. Flannel w/flannel, fleece w/fleece, cotton w/cotton. Heck they are even doing a pretty good job of keeping colors together.

I would suggest you send and email to corprate and let them know they are not doing the consumer in favors by shelving similar priced fabric but should shelve them by type. As a quilter that would work better for you as a consumer.

Glassquilt

That department manager is one sandwich short of a picnic. :)

NancyBelly

If you haven't seen this movie, you might want to rent it. It's very interesting. You can watch the trailer here.

http://www.walmartmovie.com/

Maureen

Tell me about it. I bought 7 different half yards and none of them were the same size. Luckily, most were over. A couple were a tad under. At one point I wanted to jump over the table and do my own.

Tink's Mom

I was just in a Walmart on Friday...I picked up a couple of fabrics...cute print.
The only section that was grouped together was the clearance area...and that contained a bunch of junk. Very thin fabrics, or stiff as a board. Barely glanced at them.
The fabrics that I did buy were not cheap ($5.44) for Walmart.

NikkiLu

Ours just got the fabric department back after a several year absense and you could NOT find 3 or 4 cotton prints/solids that matched to make a quilt - except maybe a few juvenile prints. I am SO disappointed. Now they will not sell any fabric and take the department away for good.