I've noticed a change in you Women's Fashions department. I much prefered Kathy Lee over George. At least with Ms Lee's collection there were a variety of styles and natural fibers which allows for a greater breathability in the fabric. George's stuff is just variations on a theme that does not sut many plus size figure types, and the fabric! I thought that stuff was obsolete when women first began burning thier bras. It doesn't breath at all. Too hot in the summer, too cold in the winter and it gives me a rash. The new layout of the shoe department has made it harder than ever to find shoes in my size range. If you are attempting to copy Target, give it up, it's not working in this area. Thier puls size department olny goes up to a small 3x (actually fits like a 2x). Kohl's womens department is worse. Take a look at your shoppers demographics. How many of the average shopper fit into the junior size stuff you are featuring? Look at the US population, we are getting wider. Go to your stores, look around. Really look at your shoppers. ASK them what they would like to see.

Now as to the shift in your sewing and crafts department, from goods by the yard to 3 yard piece goods, NOT good. Many of the sewers I am in touch with are upset with the transition. Not only are we concerned about the wonderful employees in this we have come to know, but for our own projects. I belong to a historical re-enactment groups who wears period costumes. The average garment takes at least 5 yards, the more elaborate ones much more. I am also in contact with costumers for are local performing arts. Many of these groups are small and have limited budgets. The last production I worked on, 90% of our fabric came from Wal-Mart, as did some patterns and many of our other sewing supplies and notions.

I know in my area (south eastern Connecticut, the only other source of fabric is Jo-Ann Fabrics. While they do have a decent selection with fairly affordable prices, they don't carry everything we need nor do they have the expanse of hours offered by the superstore. I have run out of thread at midnight before opening night. The mad dash down the highway to the Waterford, CT store was a blessing.

I don't know. It just feels like you are shooting yourself in the foot. Your ads tell us you are all about the people. You treat your employes like used kitty litter and seem to have lost sight of what your customer base has come to rely upon you providing.

I'm in an area where I have a bit of a choice, but I've been in regions where that choice WAS limited. You were the 'only game in town' within several hours drive for a great many goods.

It is all well and good to go global, but please don't forget get about your grass roots. Have you ever seen what root rot can do to a tree?

You can put lipstick on a pig, but its still a pig. If youve been to Wal Mart lately you will plenty of pigs with no lipstick