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Gilpin, your link to UNI brought up some memories of an article linked from there:
http://hrw.org/english/docs/2007/05/01/usdom15797.htm And this will be my last very political posting for today: I do not like Walmart, neither as a shop nor as a corporation. |
I didn't mean to start WW III here regarding Wal-Mart. Living in the US, I see that company as a menace, as new mega-stores with all of their parking lots and sprawl are wiping out acres and acres of otherwise good land. They abuse and underpay their employees and put small businesses under by undercutting on prices and basically smothering them out. I am unapologetic about my views on Wal-Mart. Of course I don't like seeing people being put out of work, but if Wal-Mart in Germany was anything like it is in the US, those employees will do much better with the replacement. I liken the Wal-Mart in the US to cancer, as it spreads almost uncontrollably.
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Originally Posted by sb589004
(Post 7835286)
OK, so I know there's no Walmart in Frankfurt...
We'll be flying into Frankfurt in the late afternoon, and would like to find a large Walmart-type or even "Babies R Us"-type of store identified and plugged into the GPS for a quick stop before hitting the hotel and crashing after a long flight. We're going to be in the market for a portable baby sleeping unit. Something cheap and disposable after a 3-week trip. Something like a bassinet, playard, playpen, etc. that folds down and up easily and doesn't take up much space in small European hotel rooms. Does anybody know of a store that would carry something like this (cheaply) in Frankfurt - bonus points if it's near the airport, and double bonus points if it has a web site where we could look online and get a good idea of what we'd be able to find there before we fly... Thanks in advance for your help and suggestions. The closest large store, similar to a Walmart, that I can find near the Frankfurt Airport is the Real-Markt in 65760 Eschborn (Ginnheimer Strasse). It's a very large chain throughout Germany. They are open from 8AM - 8 PM, Monday - Saturday and, according to the website, are about 14 minutes driving time from FRA. I know that Real (not sure about this one, though) carries all sorts of baby products, toys, appliances, food etc. etc. Let me know if you'd like me to do any further searching! Now everyone can carry on again off-topic! |
Originally Posted by Tenerife
(Post 7840720)
The closest large store, similar to a Walmart, that I can find near the Frankfurt Airport is the Real-Markt in 65760 Eschborn (Ginnheimer Strasse). It's a very large chain throughout Germany. They are open from 8AM - 8 PM, Monday - Saturday and, according to the website, are about 14 minutes driving time from FRA. I know that Real (not sure about this one, though) carries all sorts of baby products, toys, appliances, food etc. etc.
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Originally Posted by Flying Lawyer
(Post 7840407)
I was on the team defending the rights of Walmart workers against the corporation and a lot of the "issues" I became aware of reminded me of Georgia before the Civil War.
The OP asks where to buy cheap baby equipment and this turns into a lecture on the evils of capitalism as exemplified by WalMart. Had the OP asked about the Frankfurt weather at a certain time of year there would have been a discourse on Global Warming. Then of course there's the whole issue of overpopulation... ;) Tschüss, Fredd |
Originally Posted by Fredd
(Post 7841895)
The OP asks where to buy cheap baby equipment and this turns into a lecture on the evils of capitalism as exemplified by WalMart.
Had the OP asked about the Frankfurt weather at a certain time of year there would have been a discourse on Global Warming. Then of course there's the whole issue of overpopulation... ;) |
Originally Posted by flysurfer
(Post 7842095)
And all of this is totally ON TOPIC. After all, this is the Germany forum.
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Originally Posted by Fredd
(Post 7841895)
I've known and dealt with labor lawyers and teacher-union leaders so I know you just can't help yourself. ;)
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It is not on topic, neither on this thread nor in the germany forum - which is about travel and not about local discussions about wheather or not a supermarket chain was closed or not.
To the op: you should use in your questions around here phrase "like walmart" in your subject - while we do have sometime sthe american equivilant, named the same, you will not receive the answer you are looking for that way as it dismissed alternatives. :) As you are not looking for walmart but "how to buy cheap baby basinett around FRA?". I have no baby and no local knowledge bug I would assume you could try the store locator of toys'r'us, at least in my local store they do have baby stuff. On the other hand, have you asked the hotel(s) you are staying in if they can provide you one?? Sometimes they do and you would not need to have one of those. With arriving at Fra you shold be a ble to hit Frankfurt main town easily and there could be easy reachable options around there. I would ask your first hotel for a basinett and if they do not have one, ask where to get one in the near. |
Welcome to FT sb589004. Now that those locals able to offer specific suggestions to answer your specific question have done so, may I, as a non-German resident who has flown with children and grandchildren, offer the alternative suggestion that you consider buying exactly what you want before you leave?
If you could include within your checked baggage allowance the item you choose packed in its original carton you might save yourself a lot of hassle at a time when you least need hassle. FWIW. :) Cheers, Fredd |
Originally Posted by Flying Lawyer
(Post 7837994)
In July 2006, Wal-Mart announced its withdrawal of operations from Germany because of sustained losses, they were simply mentally unable to operate a business on the German market and burned the money of their shareholders. The stores were sold to the German based international chain METRO AG (which is one of the big global players in this market). 15 of 85 stores were closed, most of the others rebranded to REAL, Metros comparable chain. Rebranding is still in process and will be completed June 28.
Of course there will not be thousands of people losing their job. And however: Waltmart has a labor force turnover even in the US of about 75 percent working there for less than a year. So no big loss for the labor markt anyway. What will certainly happen is that quite a few people get a better employer. Metro is for sure a fair and well reputed employer and not what we know from Walmart: Low wages, poor working conditions, inadequate health care, lack of recognition, inadequate pay, strong anti-union policies and a high labor force turnover rate was one of the prime concerns workers had with Walmart. And they failed last but not least because workers in Germany did not accept these conditions close to ..... Any further questions? |
Originally Posted by Flying Lawyer
(Post 7837994)
In July 2006, Wal-Mart announced its withdrawal of operations from Germany because of sustained losses, they were simply mentally unable to operate a business on the German market and burned the money of their shareholders. The stores were sold to the German based international chain METRO AG (which is one of the big global players in this market). 15 of 85 stores were closed, most of the others rebranded to REAL, Metros comparable chain. Rebranding is still in process and will be completed June 28.
Of course there will not be thousands of people losing their job. And however: Waltmart has a labor force turnover even in the US of about 75 percent working there for less than a year. So no big loss for the labor markt anyway. What will certainly happen is that quite a few people get a better employer. Metro is for sure a fair and well reputed employer and not what we know from Walmart: Low wages, poor working conditions, inadequate health care, lack of recognition, inadequate pay, strong anti-union policies and a high labor force turnover rate was one of the prime concerns workers had with Walmart. And they failed last but not least because workers in Germany did not accept these conditions close to ..... Any further questions? |
Originally Posted by Flying Lawyer
(Post 7837994)
Any further questions? |
Originally Posted by burdie
(Post 8450280)
I'm trying to find more information on the failure of WalMartin Germany. Do you have any other sources you can point me to?
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine...8086_mz054.htm http://www.businessweek.com/globalbi...+news_top+news A quick glance would indicate that Walmart succeeds where its competition is weak and/or disoganised/poorly-managed. |
Originally Posted by kathiel
(Post 8450739)
I think you'll be in Germany for Oktoberfest at the same time as I at the Hilton City, I am proud to share the same space you do! You said it Flying Lawyer, hope to see you in the lounge.
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