But whether respondents loved (15%), liked (32%) or disliked (30%) shopping at the big-box retailer, many tended to value a company’s “social consciousness and overall kindness.” Roughly one-third of those who were in both the love and dislike camps thought a company's social consciousness was very important when choosing where to shop and what to buy.
And a large share of respondents—roughly two-thirds—who are favorable to the Walmart brand believe that a company's social consciousness is key when choosing where to shop.
Recently, Walmart said it will raise starting wages for all hourly employees in the the US to $11. The move follows a similar increase announced by Target in late September. Meanwhile, the company also announced plans to shutter about 10% of its Sam's Club locations.
According to eMarketer's Retail Database, average sales per store at Sam’s Club dipped over the past three years, but increased slightly (0.5%) in 2017. The average sales per square foot has also started to improve, up 0.4% in 2017 to reach $591 billion. This turnaround isn’t necessarily tied directly to store closures, but in this uncertain retail climate, underperforming brick-and-mortar locations can be liabilities.