Althouse: "McCain Wins Wal-Mart Shoppers, But Obama Prevailed at Target, Macy's, Costco & JC Penney."

December 8, 2008

"McCain Wins Wal-Mart Shoppers, But Obama Prevailed at Target, Macy's, Costco & JC Penney."

Says Zogby. McCain also got Sears and Kohl's. And Obama got Nieman Marcus and Bloomingdale's. Make of it what you will.

Are you defined by a store? The poll subjects had to pick one store from a list.

64 comments:

veni vidi vici said...: defined by a store? how "now", culturally. it's the new version of "if you were a tree..." for the 21st century!; 12/8/08, 5:36 PM
I'm Full of Soup said...: I wonder how accurate these exit polls are? The media reports their findings as if it is gospel.

Here is a random fact. Dennis Miller would probably say he is a Costco guy and he supported McCain.

I am a WaWa store like Bissage I bet.; 12/8/08, 5:39 PM
Host with the Most said...: I buy:

Non-prescription drugs and meats (in bulk) at Costco

Toiletries and home cleaning items from Target

DVD's, CD's and glasses, flatware, and cereal on sale at Walmart (and our flat screen - I almost forgot)

Tools and kitchen Appliances from Sears

Underwear and men's shirts from Penney's

My last suit from Macy's.

Assorted gifts all small and decorative, mostly ornaments) online from Nieman Marcus.

My wife shops the sales every other week at Kohl's

My wife buys a few things (very few) from Bloomingdales.

Other than a American shopper looking for the best deals overall, what does that make me?; 12/8/08, 5:42 PM
Unknown said...: Was Fry's Electronics on the list?; 12/8/08, 5:47 PM
Host with the Most said...: ooops!

My wife just corrected me.

My last suit was from Nordstrom (Men's annual sale around Easter) in 2007.

About half of my wife's shoes are from Macy's - the woman overseeing the department is a family friend.; 12/8/08, 5:47 PM
TitusTisTheSeason said...: Host and everyone else, no one should be buying cd/dvds from anywhere anymore except on Itunes. You can get tons of free crap too on there like really interesting podcasts in every speciality like history, music, cooking, anything really.

Do not buy CDs and DVDs at stores. You are getting ripped off. Also, making CDs and DVDs are great Christmas gifts and only the cost of the blank cds. You can also creat your own CD covers which are easy. There is a reason that CD/DVD stores are going out of business everyday. It's because smart people are making free ones on the internets.

I know you all think I am fabulous but I actually shop everywhere, except Walmart. High End, Low End, Secondhand, Target, you name it. I love Target. Anywhere that will make my ass look great I will buy.; 12/8/08, 5:53 PM
Roberto said...: Speaking of Wal-Mart, I got this from a friend the other day:

1. Americans spend $36,000,000 every hour of every day at WM.
(This works out to $20,928 profit
every minute.)

2. WM will sell more from January 1 to St. Patrick's Day than Target sells all year.

3. WM is bigger than Home Depot +
Kroger + Target + Sears + Costco +
K-Mart combined.

4. WM employs 1.6 million people
and is the largest private employer.

5. WM is the largest company
in the history of the World.

6. WM now sells more food
than Kroger & Safeway combined,
and keep in mind they did this
in only 15 years.

7. WM now sells more food than any other store in the world.

8. This year, 7.2 billion different
purchasing experiences will occur
at WM. (Earth's population is approximately 6.5 billion.)

10. 90% of all Americans live
within 15 miles of a WM

*Makes you wonder how McCain lost.; 12/8/08, 6:00 PM
From Inwood said...: I agree with vvv that this is a silly poll.; 12/8/08, 6:17 PM
Host with the Most said...: Also Michael,

It's not the drugs that determine my political views.

It's the bulk meat.; 12/8/08, 6:22 PM
Host with the Most said...: Titus said,

There is a reason that CD/DVD stores are going out of business everyday. It's because smart people are making free ones on the internets.

How are those Beatles and Garth Brooks - the #1 selling artist in the world - downloads on itunes coming?

Eventually everyone will be available in some form on itunes.

But I give Beatles and Garth CD's every year - and will this year too - and Garth is still big enough to control his catalog.

So, you see the future Titus - everyone knows that about you anyway - but it's not fully here.

Yet.

Long as you can give a nice gift of with real liner notes; 12/8/08, 6:35 PM
Trooper York said...: I think Titus would prefer you give him the meat.; 12/8/08, 6:38 PM
Expat(ish) said...: Yes, I can be defined by my shopping:

Sporting goods:
Cabelas, Cheaper Than Dirt, BassPro

Wine:
Domaine Carneros

Wife:
UNC-CH

Kids:
Jose Cuervo

-XC; 12/8/08, 6:40 PM
TitusTisTheSeason said...: Sorry to hear about the Giants Troop. That is so sad.

Just as long as the meat doesn't have too much skin on it.

You can go in many radio websites and they have concerts and stuff on podcasts. I am sure you could find a Beatles or whoever that other artist is on some station that you could download.

You go to Niemies for "ornaments" Host. Wow, that sounds....; 12/8/08, 6:50 PM
TitusTisTheSeason said...: I am feeling Philadelphia Freedom tonight.

How about you Troop?; 12/8/08, 6:51 PM
TitusTisTheSeason said...: I don't even buy "ornaments" are Niemies.

It seems so contradictory based of your postings.

I could not see you buying ornaments at Niemies.

If a gay friend of mine said let's go buy ornaments at Niemies I think I would have to call her a fag.; 12/8/08, 6:53 PM
TitusTisTheSeason said...: Century 21 is one of my favorite places to shop.; 12/8/08, 6:54 PM
Unknown said...: Not if you think a 328xi is an expensive car, it isn't :)

I kid, I kid. It's not so much rich snobbery as anti-BMW snobbery, I promise :); 12/8/08, 7:04 PM
Anonymous said...: Ah, but which voters made purchases at what liquor stores, that's what I'd like to know.

I buy vin ordanaire at Trader Joe's to serve the in-laws when we entertain. It's a step up from their usual Mogan David, so I look pretty good.

I buy good single-malt from a local liquor store that has a great selection of whiskeys.

I buy really good microbrews where ever I find them.

Aspirin comes from Wal-Mart.; 12/8/08, 7:07 PM
Roberto said...: Nobody here shops at the 99 cent store?

Great buys on many, many products.; 12/8/08, 7:18 PM
Freeman Hunt said...: Are you defined by a store?

The newish local mall has giant signs everywhere with pictures of beautiful, bored-looking women overlayed with the words "DEFINE YOU." Very odd, I think.

The cleanest, most perfectly maintained Wal-Mart stores in the world are in Northwest Arkansas. The Bentonville store across the street from their headquarters and the test store in Rogers are immaculate, and the staff is excellent at both locations.; 12/8/08, 7:29 PM
blake said...: No Amazon?; 12/8/08, 7:36 PM
chickelit said...: Yes, I second Amazon.
I've noticed that prices on certain items have lately been as volatile as the stock markets.; 12/8/08, 7:42 PM
Ron said...: Did Hillary win the Krispy Kreme vote in the primaries, or was that just Bill's turf?; 12/8/08, 7:45 PM
SteveR said...: In the latest variation of the "Bradley Effect" it was postulated today that people who voted for Obama would mislead pollsters, because they would inclined to be ashamed to admit that they also shopped at Wal Mart. Detailed analysis suggests that it would be impossible for Wal Mart to have the level of sales it has without a considerable contribution by Obama voters, many of who would have to bypass a dozen or so Wal Marts to get to the nearest Target, Macy's, Costco or J.C. Penny; 12/8/08, 7:53 PM
Freeman Hunt said...: I third Amazon.

SteveR nails it. People just want where they shop to seem cool. I know plenty of Obama voters who absolutely would not have selected Wal-Mart, and yet they shop there all the time.; 12/8/08, 8:00 PM
tjl said...: What about Banana Republic? Especially those BR shoppers who head directly for the sale racks?; 12/8/08, 8:07 PM
Ralph L said...: Since Wachovia tanked, with an Auntie Mame Christmas approaching, I've shopped more at Walmart, but I've had bad experiences with their meat and ice cream (nothing to do with skin). They have the only edible celery in town. Sometimes I seem to be the only non-Mexican customer. Were those McCain voters?; 12/8/08, 8:08 PM
TitusTisTheSeason said...: I shop at the dollar store for my 5 year old niece who was adopted from Russia. She is so cute I just want to tie her up in a bow and squeeze her.

The BMW 328xi is the ultimate yuppie car I know but it is so fucking cute. I am talking the new ones. I had the older model from 2001-2008 which I loved too.; 12/8/08, 8:18 PM
Donna B. said...: Amazon, yeah. I buy so much from there, I pay for the "free" shipping every year.

I've never been in a Costco. I go to Sam's about once a year with my stepsister. I'm not about to pay for a membership I'd use so infrequently.

As for clean WalMarts, the cleanest one I've ever been in is DeQueen AR. I think you might be able to eat off the parking lot there. That was 5 years ago, so things may have changed by now.

Of all those other stores listed (other than WalMart), Target and Nieman Marcus are the only ones I've been in recently, as in the last 5 years.; 12/8/08, 8:26 PM
Simon said...: "Are you defined by a store?"

Does Einstein Bros. count?; 12/8/08, 8:30 PM
Dust Bunny Queen said...: The cleanest WalMart's - so clean you can eat-off the floor? Utah, Idaho and Montana.

And in Northern California....and I don't mean San Francisco..that is Central California: NOT NORTHERN. Look at a map.

I shop at Costco every other month. The running joke is if you can get out of Costco under $200 you are doing good. It has never happened for me. When we get the check out my husband and I make bets on the total.

The other observation is that the checks of everyone in line at Costco are not going to bounce. Bounce once....you're out. The people may look common but their money is good. The place is a freaking money machine.

Wal Mart for the $4 prescriptions, cheap tee shirts and impulse items

Shoes....Zappos.com
Target...meh, same stuff as anywhere else.

Macy's...because that's where the make up I like is sold...otherwise the clothes suck, the shoes don't fit, but they do have a good kitchen department. However, Amazon.com beats the pants off of them for price and selection.

Stupid poll.; 12/8/08, 8:41 PM
Ralph L said...: Titus, I thought the "x" was BMW code for crossover: X3, X5, X6. You're driving a 3 series sedan? And you didn't get the 335i twin turbo? Should have gone whole hog, or tried reverse snobbery with a used one.; 12/8/08, 8:47 PM
Chip Ahoy said...: At Cherry Creek mall just outside Lord & Taylor, when it was still there, a very attractive woman approached me hesitatingly to ask, would it not be too rude to ask, where I got my beret. Gosh, I'm dashing when I wear it in the military style. I told her no, It wouldn't be too rude to ask but she might not like the answer. Eh? Her look registered puzzlement. I found it at Army Surplus in a box of mixed berets -- unbelievably inexpensive. You have to root around a bit to find your size. As I imagined, she wasn't pleased.; 12/8/08, 8:50 PM
Ann Althouse said...: If I had to pick a store that defines me, it would be a local store that isn't on the list. Whole Foods isn't even on this list. I would refuse to do the survey at all.; 12/8/08, 8:55 PM
Ann Althouse said...: I don't think there even is a Costco in Madison. "Costco" means nothing to me, I just realized.; 12/8/08, 8:58 PM
Daryl said...: NewEgg.com!

Because eggs represent new life, and they are fragile, and NewEgg takes care of your delicate electronics purchases. Or something like that.

I was never one much for symbolism. They have good prices and great service.; 12/8/08, 9:19 PM
Dust Bunny Queen said...: This is an interesting division between rural and urban and suburban shopping patterns. Hmm? So, asking these STUPID poll questions at various locations would be skewed by the demographics of the shopping locales.

Some of the stores in the poll are not available in many areas. No Khol's (they might be building one sometime soon), Neiman Marcus (hah), Bloomingdales (I've NEVER seen one), Marshalls (where are they?)

Personally if I were to be shopping at ANY of the above stores, including Costco, and some jerk accosted me about who I was voting for....you would be ignored or stiff armed.; 12/8/08, 9:37 PM
MadisonMan said...: Costco is in Middleton, a recent addition. I think it's near the Ruth Chris steak house and all those other chains that are dreadful on Hwy 14 just west of Hwy 12.

It's smaller than the one in Grafton, says my daughter, who has been to both, and who proclaims Costco "Cool".; 12/8/08, 9:37 PM
Dust Bunny Queen said...: This is an interesting division between rural and urban and suburban shopping patterns. Hmm? So, asking these STUPID poll questions at various locations would be skewed by the demographics of the shopping locales.

Some of the stores in the poll are not available in many areas. No Khol's (they might be building one sometime soon), Neiman Marcus (hah), Bloomingdales (I've NEVER seen one), Marshalls (where are they?)

Personally if I were to be shopping at ANY of the above stores, including Costco, and some jerk accosted me about who I was voting for....you would be ignored or stiff armed.; 12/8/08, 9:37 PM
MadisonMan said...: I never go to Wal-Mart. The one in Madison is way too far away from me -- very inconvenient location, plus everytime I've actually gone (twice in 20 years), some kid near me is screeching. Ugh.

I just shopped online for Christmas presents: LL Bean and Duluth Trading Company. The stores I go to a lot in Madison: Target (not the one in Fitchburg!), Borders, Sentry Hilldale, Whole Foods, Trader Joes, Ace Hardware where the Pancake House used to be, Dorn True Value, Rogan's Shoes. Once or twice a year I'll go to East Towne or West Towne Mall -- that's all I can handle Mall-wise. I rarely go to Hilldale Mall -- nothing there, and I can't go to Macy's since they took over my beloved Marshall Fields.; 12/8/08, 9:47 PM
Anonymous said...: We're in a Wal-Mart-free zone here in the hoity-toity western 'burbs of Boston. There IS a Costco not far away in Waltham, just off 128. Costco is a giant members-only warehouse store. They are definitely cheap for things you can buy in bulk. And, yes DBQ's right about being hard to walk out under $200. Ouch. You don't buy stuff at Costco. You invest in it.

We also have a Whole Foods in nearby Bedford, which we have made a pact to scrupulously avoid. At one time its local Boston predecessor, "Bread & Circus" defined us. Bread & Circus was better and cheaper than Whole Foods. The Whole Foods habit is extraordinarily expensive, and the food isn't that much better than Stop & Shop or Market Basket. My wife (who does most of the shopping) can save $200 a month NOT going to Whole Foods, just enough for that investment at Costco.

It's also enough for a case of some nice Malbec, which will do wonders to help you forget what you just spent at Costco.

As for the rest of them, we shop Target occasionally, so, no, the poll wouldn't work for me, either. And I would have DBQ's response, at least, to the damn pollster.; 12/8/08, 9:48 PM
TitusTisTheSeason said...: fyi-the new BMW 3 series have "x's" in them. There is no longer a bmw 325 or 323-at least in the U.S.

I wouldn't want to get the "M" series-way too sporty for me.

Back to stores if I really had to pick a store for me I would say Barneys. It has everything that I like. Clothes, check. Soaps, check. And lots of great facial shit and shoes and everything I like. I can't afford to shop there all the time but as far as taste I like Barney's best. I also like the designers they carry. They aren't all ridiculously priced. For example you can get cute izod or penquin shirts cheap.

Bloomings mens is ok but sometimes a little too old for my taste.

Saks is probably my second choice.

Niemies is nice but you can get better deals at Saks. Also, I hate most of the Niemies sales queens. They have a big rivalry in NYC and right now Saks is winning big time.

Bergdorfs is fine but their mens stuff is a little stuffy.

Rounding off my list would be:

Armani Exchange-for late night carousing.
FCUK-some cute stuff but I am getting to old for that stuff
Burberry-sometimes they have cute stuff
Diesel-for jeans.

House cleaning stuff-Target.

Shoes-which I do spend money on because you have to have nice shoes I purchase at Barneys or Saks or Niemies.

Atheltic Clothes for the gym I will buy anywhere. I look like shit at the gym and anyone that dresses for the gym is gross.

Macys-I get underwear and undershirts and socks and jammies and buffalo jeans and a couple of blouses. They have good sales.

I can't shop at Costco or any of those big supply stores. It is only me and I don't have that much room in my apartment and I don't want 50 rolls of toilet paper hanging around.

There is quite a few second hand stores that I go to that have nice clothes.

I don't buy anything "extra" for my home. There is no shit on coffee tables or desks.; 12/8/08, 10:06 PM
George M. Spencer said...: Costco is Sam's Club for people putting on airs.

(I used to be suspicious of claims that you really could save 20-30 percent on groceries at those places, until I actually did my own price comparisons. Sure enough, my total was about 30% less. If you consume certain things in mass quantities, you should definitely use the warehouses.); 12/8/08, 10:11 PM
I'm Full of Soup said...: About 18 years ago, I was in the Moorestown, NJ mall eating lunch (Arby's) and answered a bunch of survey questions about motorcycles, did I like them, own one, would I buy one soon,etc.

I assume (now) the poll was put together by somebody who noticed demographic trends of baby boomers and wanted to validate his hunch that motorcycle sales would increase big time.

I wish I had put 2 & 2 together cause I could have made some money on Harley Davidson stock.; 12/8/08, 10:15 PM
Ralph L said...: Diesel-for jeans
Do the salespeople say, "diesel fit?"; 12/8/08, 10:16 PM
Anonymous said...: AJ, Harley had nowhere to go but up once AMF got through with it. Damn, I wished I could afford one. I put over 100,000 miles on motorcycles by the time I was 25. Then I moved to Boston and haven't been on one since. Grumble.

There was a guy riding a chopper around Chartres Cathedral when we were there last month. Go figure.

But it proved that Harleys are everywhere.; 12/8/08, 10:42 PM
Sofa King said...: Oh boy, Walmart - really so polarizing?

I have to admit, I love Walmart. Even though I go to the one on East Capitol in Milwaukee, which isn't exactly the neatest or calmest, I'm simply awed by their ability to cut prices.

I'd bet even money that Walmart has done more to increase the standard of living of the poor and lower-middle class than all the welfare programs in all fifty states.

Walmart outperformed FEMA in delivering supplies immediately after Katrina.

Walmart is not sexy. It is not hip. It doesn't pretend to be, either. They care about decidedly uncool things like the price of baby formula and the affordability of fresh produce. But they are entirely honest about what they are trying to do: find out what people want, then give it to them at the lowest possible prices. And they are amazingly successful at it - perhaps more successful than any human organization in history, including governments.

And I for one say God bless them for it.; 12/8/08, 10:48 PM
Anonymous said...: Sofa King, I wouldn't be too unhappy to have a Wal-Mart somewhere near us. You're absolutely right about its virtues.

But living as I do in one of the tonier Boston suburbs, you'll understand that people who shop at Wal-Mart are, well, just not our sort. Plus, we wouldn't want one of THOSE things anywhere near the exquisite merchants of Concord center, would we?; 12/8/08, 11:01 PM
Chip Ahoy said...: This survey makes my dad gum head spin like Al Marri.; 12/8/08, 11:29 PM
Wince said...: Titus,

fyi-the new BMW 3 series have "x's" in them. There is no longer a bmw 325 or 323-at least in the U.S.

Actually, for 2009 BMW dropped the "xi" desigantion from all sedan models. The "x" indicated all-wheel drive. Now, for the 3 Series it's either the 328i or 335i with "xDrive" if it's all wheel drive. Handy this time of year, along with the cold weather package, which for 2009 includes a heated steering wheel - not as frivolous as it sounds, especially on a night like tonight.

You sound like a dude who likes a warm toosh and warm hands.; 12/8/08, 11:47 PM
AllenS said...: Doyle's Ace Hardware in New Richmond. Fleet Farm in Hudson. Tractor Supply Company and Menards in St. Croix Falls. If I need socks and underwear, then its off to the Wal-Mart. For food, Econofoods in New Richmond. Doesn't that sound delicious?; 12/9/08, 12:27 AM
Ralph L said...: Oh, the little x stands for xDrive.
I've got a heated steering wheel in my Caddy. Thought it was silly, but it's very nice and heats up fast. Unfortunately, it doesn't heat the inside seam of the wrapping, so I have to hold the wheel by the outside or my nerve endings get confused.
The cooled seat is even better, but mine started shutting off after a minute or two this September.; 12/9/08, 12:45 AM
Anonymous said...: What about online shoppers?; 12/9/08, 1:47 AM
Peter Hoh said...: Who won the Fleet Farm shoppers? How about Menards?

I really want to see Althouse take her video camera along on a trip to Fleet Farm.

Me, defined by one store? Ax Man.

I'm sure I spend more money in Target than I do at Walmart, but I shop them both. Walmart is a few blocks closer, but the check out lines are always longer.; 12/9/08, 1:51 AM
Cedarford said...: It may be a sign of how far we have fallen into consumerism of foreign goods and away from careers making anything that a key way to define American demographics is now by defining them with what ChinaStuff they buy.
High end? Macy's and Bloomies - a Democrat!
Low end? WalMart(ChinaMart), Sears, Juans China Import Bodega of slightly marred stuff out of the shipping containers. God&Guns Republicans, but also former Reagan Democrats coming home to the Dems after Republicans did little for the working man and the middle class..; 12/9/08, 2:37 AM
AllenS said...: Peter--

Is AxMan still on University Ave? I haven't been in there since the early 1970's.; 12/9/08, 3:05 AM
Revenant said...: Yeah, add me to the list of Amazon shoppers. That's where I do almost all of my non-grocery shopping.; 12/9/08, 3:15 AM
Anonymous said...: Only fat people shop at Wal-Mart.; 12/9/08, 7:21 AM
Anonymous said...: downtownlad said...Only fat people shop at Wal-Mart.

And Mormons.; 12/9/08, 7:23 AM
Tibore said...: What the hell's up with this shoehorn-everybody-into-X-stereotype reporting? I supported McCain, and I can't stand Wal-Mart. What does that make me?; 12/9/08, 7:45 AM
Freeman Hunt said...: I'd bet even money that Walmart has done more to increase the standard of living of the poor and lower-middle class than all the welfare programs in all fifty states.

Amen to that. People bitch about "mom and pop" stores going out of business because of Wal-Mart. Well, how much were mom and pop charging for the same box of cereal? How much were they charging for the same pair of pants? Did mom and pop offer much of a selection? Any upward mobility available to employees of the mom and pop? Because of Wal-Mart, people, poor people especially, have vastly more choices with vastly less cost. Anyone who's been into a general store in a rural area knows this.; 12/9/08, 8:30 AM
J said...: "People bitch about "mom and pop" stores going out of business because of Wal-Mart"

You forgot "how many mom n' pop store employees have health insurance available through their employer, or access to a 401K plan?"

"Whole Foods isn't even on this list"

I'll concede turning groceries into a high margin vanity product is a special level of genius.; 12/9/08, 10:03 AM
Balfegor said...: I can't shop at Costco or any of those big supply stores. It is only me and I don't have that much room in my apartment and I don't want 50 rolls of toilet paper hanging around.

Well, 50 rolls of TP, maybe no. But I have a Costco comfortably within walking distance of my apartment (I live in Arlington VA), so I shop there sometimes. Dried fruit, fresh fruit, cheese, cheap electronics. You can get pretty good value (particularly on cheeses -- their manchego is something like half the price it would be at Harris Teeter or Wholefoods or wherever), and it's easy enough to carry. Cabs know where it is too, so if you get something big (e.g. my sister got a digital piano), you can just call one and have them haul it where you need. Usually still comes out a lot cheaper than shipping. And I know I'm not the only one who shops at Costco like that -- I see other people with small tote bags filled with goodies (not many, but some).; 12/9/08, 10:44 AM
Ralph L said...: Anyone who's been into a general store in a rural area knows this.
The one around the corner from my office got busted for video poker a few years ago (also caught a local police chief). Saturday, the owner was robbed and murdered.; 12/9/08, 12:58 PM