ginnyk

I live near Bentonville, Arkansas which is the corporate headquarters of Walmart. Yesterday, I was in a local store that carries fabric and spoke with one of the store managers. I asked him to please support fabric departments in the stores. Having worked at the corporate office several years ago in the architecture department, I have some understanding of purchasing logic. As we know, building costs are computed on a square foot basis. Walmart is no different. The cost of the building is compared to the square foot sales of the department. The GOOD NEWS is that he said that they are putting fabric into every "from the ground up" store due to customer demand. I personally know that store planners are not some obscure group in an ivory tower. They are local neighbors who do the best job they can with the stats in front of them.

But this is our chance. If we want to see fabric there, we need to support it. Call 1-800-walmart, go to walmart.com and say that we want it. Point out that no one goes in and just buys fabric but that every fabric purchase is usually accompanied by grocery and other purchases that catch our attention on the endcaps or Action Alley. (shelves at end of aisle and big center walkways geared for impulse shopping) These calls are answered by real people and sorted into categories and compiled for senior management. I did a temp job a couple years later in that dept. Not that I would ever want to do that again! It was really hectic. Let's use our forums to be proactive. I told the manager that I had just seen batik in Hancocks for 12.99 a yard, and we discussed how many people depend on Walmart's prices which he said would have been about 4.99. They are in a position to get it for a lot less. Maybe it is not the fabric we use for the heirloom masterpieces, and it may come prepackaged, but it sure works for all those wonderful baby blankies and everyday quilting. And, it never hurts to discuss this with your local store manager. It doesn't do much good to complain to each other, but together we can be a strong enough voice to accomplish the changes we want.,.;;

sueisallaboutquilts

As they say- strength in numbers! You could be helping a lot of quilters and I say kudos to you!!
I had to laugh at one post earlier this month where someone was told by an employee at WM that quilting is a "dying art form"
Yeah, right!!! :D
I do have a question: Does that mean new stores being built or what??

mom-6

Wow, that is good news for all. I know it cetainly worked when we bombarded them a couple years ago when the 'get rid of the fabric' bug first reared it's ugly head. Our local Wal-Mart has a good variety of fabric in various quality levels and price points that seems to be doing well, as the stock on the shelf is updated at least every month or so...gets kinda sparse in the cheapie stuff sometimes right before a new shipment is due. And my friend at the cutting table table said they even asked(!!!!) what they were wanting more of, to which she of course replied quilting cottons.

wvdek

That's good news. I shall do it.

janRN

Thanks for the info--our Walmart has NO fabric, not even FQs or pre-cuts. I will send an email and encourage my other quilty friends to do so. Our store isn't that old but underwent a remodel and that's when they eliminated fabric and made it a crafts aisle. I have never seen any one in the crafts aisle!!

ginnyk

I believe "from the ground-up" means a newly built store in a new location. I am not sure if that means a whole new store number or also an old number with a new, not remodeled building.

pam1966

That would be really great! I'm lucky enough that my WM still carries fabric. I just found some very nice quality VIP prints there for 4.94 a yard. The same type of fabric at the hancock's here would cost much more.

SherriB

Thankfully, they are beginning to listen!! I just sent an email to the corporate office. Hopefully it will add to the list of those wanting the fabric departments. I am lucky to still have 1 Walmart close to me that still sells fabric. But it seldom ever changes, except for holidays.

Sadiemae

I will try this again. I shop very rarely in Wal-Mart since they removed the fabric. Thanks for posting.

crafter005

This is so nice to hear.

I love looking at and buying fabric from Walmart. And, yes, I usually buy more items than just fabric.

I am lucky as my Walmart that sells fabric (we have 4 but only one sells fabric not prepackaged) is undergoing a renovation of the whole store and the clerk in the fabric department stated that they are keeping their fabric but it is njust moving to a different location in the store. Her manager knows what she is doing because in the interim (sp? - I've become too accustomed to spell check) she is buying fabric, including 100% cotton, and selling for $1.50/yard.

With the price of fabric going up all the time, it is nice to see that Walmart will still be selling fabric at their great prices for those of us on a budget.