I guess I will put in my 2 cents on this subject. At the end of 2007 I retired from WalMart after 14 years in the Accounting Offices. I know for a fact that all fabric will be removed from WalMart by sometime in 2010. It was announced in our office memos, back in 2005 that there was a five year plan in place to get rid of the fabric department. By 2006 the stores in my area had lost their fabric. I have since moved to another state, and some stores here still have it but are losing when they remodel, or build new. WalMart remodels each store every 5 years, so by the end of 2010 they should be out of the fabric business. Have already been told by the fabric dept mgr in the 2 stores I buy from that they will lose fabrics by January.
All the petitions and calls in the world will not change Lee Scott, CEO and his position on this. Electronics and Sporting Goods will get the bulk of the space vacated by fabric removal. The Celebration Party items are already a part of the Stationary Dept and will just move to what little craft area they decided to keep in some stores.. Others you won't notice a difference except the larger departments.
As to the treatment of employees, I could write a book but won't. No feelings for the human, only what can you produce for WalMart. Family oriented, yes, the Walton, Scott and other people in charge family. Not the actual worker. Buy USA... no longer.. it is 97% China, Japan, Maylasia or some other foreign country. The Walton Family still owns a substantial portion of the stock, why would they sell their gravy train..
Do I still shop there, yes for some items, I still patronize the fabric dept. because I can get some good reasonable price fabrics. but a lot is made overseas, stationary..and electronic.. yes because they are priced right.. Food... only if it is a canned item made in USA.. have to watch some WM or great value brand is made overseas... I won't buy those. Clothes... very little, most are made overseas, poorly made.. and sizes not right.
Ladies just don't get your hopes up that WalMart will listen and keep fabrics, it has been tried for years and you are wasting good time and energy. Buy while you can, build your stash... and have fun quilting.