patrick.net

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I was reading on ZeroHedge about Walmart and Target reporting a spike in inventory to sales ratio. I wonder if this is due to theft.

It's because we're headed into (likely are already in) a recession and people are out of money to spend. What is ominous is companies like Target, Walmart, Ross, etc., which traditionally get more business during downturns aren't this time.

Continual booster mandates will take care of this.

My buddy, teaching me Electrician trade told me about this in indelible memory he has when he was a journeyman, on a jobsite in Miami.
They sent down a bigwig from Louisiana to inform the crew they would be laying off 70% of the crew. Earnie was on the Electrician crew, the people being axed were part of the General Contractors workforce.
He said the guy said...

"The problem is, we've got too many of you damn Assholes! The Boss says get rid of some of ya, and by God that's what I aim to do. Those of you that got an invitation to the topping party, get your asses back to work. Those that didn't come step forward and get an envelope and go home. "

Don't enough people quit such that if they simply don't hire anyone for a while the problem solves itself?

Ultra_FJB says

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I was reading on ZeroHedge about Walmart and Target reporting a spike in inventory to sales ratio. I wonder if this is due to theft.

It's because we're headed into (likely are already in) a recession and people are out of money to spend. What is ominous is companies like Target, Walmart, Ross, etc., which traditionally get more business during downturns aren't this time.

I think we are, but I don't think it will be a bad one. We get the benefits of high oil prices. Could be an extra $100k this year just from the wife. I don't know if it will be stagflation, but I do think prices/inflation taps the brakes big time after Memorial Day weekend.

Point is, not everyone is hurting, but the peons of the world are going to stop spending. $5/gallon ain't gonna work in America long term when it was just in the high $2-3 range. Question is does cut back in spending result in layoffs and employment numbers tanking.

So they're getting ready for layoffs.

Next up: The return of Layaway.

More automation for me to service. Walmarts are adding fulfillment centers to thier stores and becoming mini amazon facilities.

Less automation in fast food. Nobody takes ownership of your order when it's digits on a screen in the kitchen and no human cashier says "That guy placed his order 10 minutes ago, but it's not out yet".

3 bad experiences in the past 3 months. The Kiosk orders come last after drive thru and Uber/Doordash. Fuck that, customers in the lobby are primary.

When I go to mom and pop places and order to a human, I get served fast and well.