I agree that I've wondered if
Walmart tries to cause an issue just for the free publicity? Target had the same issue years back and they have worked out a system for black friday shopping that I have yet to see any store come near.
Here's the main difference I've seen between the stores...
Walmart. Store is open, large amount of shoppers are wandering about the store. They are with their group of people and once in the store other shoppers are seen as competition. The few electronic big ticket items are on pallets in an area where a line can form, but the actual product is in sight. To me this is like putting a steak just out of reach from a hungry dog. If you hold that steak in front of that dog long enough, they will do anything to get to it once it's officially available. Not to compare people to dogs, but when you act like an animal it becomes on of those if the shoe fits moments.
Then what they wouldn't consider to be a big ticket item, such as cheap towels (not even worth a dime IMO) and cheap sheet sets. Those are wheeled out into the middle of an open aisle. Now where there was room there's none. People are divided on each side of the item, and the grass is greener on the other side mentality kicks in. If you've seen any of the
youtube videos from the walmart towel sale, people are grabbing across the bin, not on the side that's right in front of them. People who weren't in the exact right spot for where this pallet was opened start pushing to get to their item, because at this point they've been waiting and they feel entitled to the discount. After all they've been in the store longer, waiting for this item to be brought out, but didn't know exactly where it would be. In their mind people are "cutting" in front of them and getting their item. Madness follows.
Most popular, and what you wouldn't think would be popular items, are located in one centralized place.
Target. You are in line outside of the store. No actual merchandise is in your eyesight. After awhile you start a conversation with the people around you and find out they aren't going for the same thing you are. You don't make friends with them and start planning dinners together or anything, but you aren't all ready to beat them to their item. You remain calm and usually cold. By being cold your body is concentrating on keeping warm, and not fully focused on scoring an item that is not a need. Target employees, and the police come by and explain the rules, the location of different items and exactly how you are to act and behave once you move into the store. You are given a map, told you are in a good spot in line to get your item, you sometimes are given a snack or other gift. You are fairly content and calm. The store opens and small groups are sectioned off and one group has to clear the main entrance before another one is allowed in. Big ticket items are located in multiple places in the store, along with items that wouldn't be thought to be big ticket items. All aisles are clear and the merchandise has been placed off to the side w/ an employee standing there keeping watch. Clothing and other items that are not on sale are pushed back to create room for the big ticket and other sale items. Leaving plenty of room to move around, and get to merchandise from multiple sides. You are not being shoved, pushed and manhandled by other shoppers trying to grab into the same small space as yourself. The crowd is dispersed throughout the store, and there is room to move. The few people who just cannot follow rules and act like adults and humans can easily be spotted by other shoppers as being abnormal and the herd mentality does not kick in.
I know what store I'd rather be in.
