Now at Walmart

[isufan11]

I was walking through Walmart this weekend and something odd caught the corner of my eye, there in the vacuum area was a brand new display, Oreck, and Panasonic. Ethier Walmart is getting classier or the brands are getting more desperate.

 

[massagemiracle]

Haven't seen panasonic, but did see the Oreck steam cleaners and the Oreck Air Purifiers.

 

[gsheen]

what you are witnessing is the slow demise of the corner vacuum shop, we went thru it 20 years ago in South Africa but the good news is that small speciality shops are becoming the rage again here so those that stuck it out are doing well now 

 

[kenmore81]

I seen the Panisonic canister at Walmart online only. Mabe there bringing it into the store because there not selling online?

 

[gsheen]

Are panasonic a vacuum store only brand in the USA? They have always been available in bbs here in SA.

 

[lunchboxsean]

I don't think much of this news. When Oreck's new $500 upright is the "Magnesium", I have little hope left for them in the first place. Over here in America, we are seeing other brands pop up in Oreck stores too like Miele and Simplicity. As for Panasonic, I don't see this as a big deal since they have been manufacturing most Kenmore vacs for Sears for decades and sold out long ago. I think that both of these companies have simply sold out their core dealer networks and their quality in order to be on the shelves of the largest retailer on the planet. I will say, though, that at least here in the mid-west, many major retailers like Kmart and Meijer are making major comebacks and are fighting the good fight against the evil Wal-Monster. My local Kmart is busier and busier every time I go there and I actually prefer it over any other big box store because of the level of service you receive.

 

[oreck_xl]

What a stark contrast from the way things were. When David Oreck first established dealerships in 1997, he told licensees they would be allowed to sell ONLY Oreck or they couldn't sell his product at all. With the launch of the new Magnesium as well as other products that are now made in China, it would definitely appear as if Oreck's quality is going in the hopper. Another once-proud American company selling out to overseas. A sad sign of the times....

- Hershel

 

[vac_whisperer]

Well at least wal-mart sells one decent brand now.

 

[floor-a-matic]

"Well at least wal-mart sells one decent brand now"

I thought WalMart also sold Aerus (Classic canister, Lux Lite & Legacy uprights) vacs, too?

 

[lunchboxsean]

Vac-whisperer,

I would contest that Wal-Mart is not carrying better vacuums now, but that Oreck has lowered it's standards to get into Wal-Mart. What is happening is Wal-Mart is destroying a few quality brands just like it destroys the environment, the workforce, the unemployment rating, local businesses, and the local economy of every market they move into.

 

[gsheen]

That is what happens at big box stores , they drive the smaller guys into liquidation. I will say this much though at the risk of getting into another mud slinging fight though , if you buy any thing from them then you are supporting them not the smaller businesses.they are designed to be convenient and that's were the problem starts 


 


Whether I buy a new lawn mower, Toaster, or new power tools I always buy them from the specialty stores not the bbs. That way i am supporting my local businesses, plus the service is great if any thing goes wrong, your a name not a till slip


 


Gareth 

 

[brandon_w_t]

Walmart, and even the grocery chain carries Kirby vacuum bags and I think belts.

 

[brandon_w_t]

*ment to say the grocery chain "Hy-Vee"

 

[fan-of-fans]

To be honest I haven't looked at the vacuums much at Walmart in a while. The last time I didn, I was mainly disappointed I mainly look at Sears and Kmart. I like the vacuums at Kmart better even if they don't have as many as Walmart. I don't recall seeing Panasonic in any stores. JcPenney used to have Orecks in their catalog starting in the late 90s, not sure about now.

 

[JDrums0789]

Both the Hy-Vees here in Ames carry Kirby bags, belts, and both Kirby shampoo formulas. They also carry Electrolux C and U bags, and a mix of other common brands of bag and belt styles.
A surprisingly good selection for a grocery store...