Wednesday, March 01, 2006

The Wal-Mart Effect and Staying Pure at Starbucks

I give my business to mom-and-pop stores whenever I can. I just don't mind paying a little more to help my neighbors survive the big chains. But the lure of Wal-Mart's deeep discount prices can be irresistable when it comes to stuff like super-sized containers of laundry detergent, and I will slink into a Starbucks once in a while when none of my friends are looking and I crave a cup of joe.

Wal-Mart and Starbucks are, of course, phenomenons, and for good reasons. The Economist has interesting takes on them here and here.

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