Hard Candy is coming to Wal-Mart Stores (NYSE: WMT), and I don't mean Jolly Ranchers. The high-end name in trendy cosmetics, famous for bringing unusual colors to ladies' palettes in the late 1990s, is now bringing a specially created line to the discount retailer. Hard Candy products will hit shelves in 3,000 Wal-Mart stores next month, and will be available internationally by the spring. Products, from gold lipstick to bright green eyeliner, will range from $5 to $10 and target women between 18 and 35 (oooh! I'm just under the wire!).
This move, along with Jimmy Choo accessories at H&M and Vera Wang clothing at Kohl's (NYSE: KSS) is a sign of the changing times. Mass production has become the new couture as top designers reach out to the everyday consumer. And during recessionary times, everyone is trying to save discretionary income where they can.
Wal-Mart is trying to walk a fine line as it maintains its identity as a discount store where families can buy cheap paper towels and Ritz crackers, while also trying to attract shoppers in search of new clothing or housewares. Will the Hard Candy deal make them a more worthy competitor for Target (NYSE: TGT) or simply confuse women looking for traditional beauty aids? Time will tell, but mark me down for a few bottles of blue nail polish.
Beth works for The Options News Network (www.ONN.tv), which provides daily stock and options commentary. The above comments are not intended as trading advice.
Wal-Mart is trying to walk a fine line as it maintains its identity as a discount store where families can buy cheap paper towels and Ritz crackers, while also trying to attract shoppers in search of new clothing or housewares. Will the Hard Candy deal make them a more worthy competitor for Target (NYSE: TGT) or simply confuse women looking for traditional beauty aids? Time will tell, but mark me down for a few bottles of blue nail polish.
Beth works for The Options News Network (www.ONN.tv), which provides daily stock and options commentary. The above comments are not intended as trading advice.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
8-19-2009 @ 9:57PM
ss said...
i do not believe walmarts will keep their prices low , they are highending their stores..and the "regular shopper" does not like to feel they are being deceived, sam walton must be turning in his grave.
8-19-2009 @ 9:59PM
alainadiminick said...
Dear Writer,
Did you know that blue nail polish is modern code for a stinky you-know-what? So you can have a couple bottles of that, take it please, and keep up with the times if you'd like.
-Reader
8-19-2009 @ 10:04PM
Annmarie said...
Hard Candy can officially kiss its high-end status goodbye by selling at WalMart
8-19-2009 @ 10:15PM
Jasmine said...
WalMart wants to be the only store standing at the end. If you look at the word WalMart spelled backwards, it means, Tramlaw which means, "The ONLY ROAD OUT".. You will be forced to only buy from them cause they are putting many businesses out of business. They offer cheaper prices while the retailers suffer and close down. So WalMart "TramLaw" dangles name brands in your face to entice you to buy from them. The prices will go up, many businesses will close down, and you have no other alternatve but to buy from them and them only. This is one of the reasons why many towns and cities BAN WalMart's from being built in their areas. They do not want their cheap competition to break them. With the way our economy is, everyone wants to save their pennies. Beware that what I am telling you will eventually come true. I have made other predictions through out the years going back 46 years, and all of them have come true. I am just a regular person who can see what is happening, but too many out there can't see the forest for the trees. I hope by then, it will not be too late for everyone involved.
8-19-2009 @ 10:16PM
Mia said...
Love it or hate it, I have to give Wal-Mart credit where its due. In the last several years they have made significant improvements to their product lines. Ive particularly noticed this in the clothing. I remember when buying a t-shirt, albeit for 5 dollars, would fall apart the first time you washed it. Or seeing items that were frumpy and doudy looking. theyre clothing items are quite stylish, modern and decent quality and I have to admit priced fairly.
Do you ALWAYS find the lowest price at Wal-Mart? Sometimes and sometimes not but theres no reason to drag them through the mud as only catering to Miss Trailer Trash USA. its time the public develops some character and stop stereotyping everyone and everything.
8-19-2009 @ 10:15PM
pinkytuzcadero said...
Wal-Mart now also sells designer Norma Kamali clothes.
8-19-2009 @ 10:18PM
clarke ammerman said...
Wal Mart--if and when your corporation recognizes the Bill of Rights, mainly the first and second amendments, then I might shop there again. But since you are going with the NWO, I will take my money somewhere else, and I will urge others to do the same. BYE BYE
8-19-2009 @ 10:40PM
Melissa said...
I love Wal-Mart!
8-20-2009 @ 12:04AM
Mom said...
Wallyworld is not what it used to be. The prices are skyrocketing after a major renovation at our local store and they took away the material for sewing and many other items that we regularly purchased. I find myself shopping at Target, K-Mart, Kroger & Meijer. Why not if you can buy items on sale and get double coupons at the grocery, items are considerably cheaper than wallyworlds regular price that is suposed to be lower! I used to spend all my grocery & clothing money there, but no more and I go to JoAnn for my fabrics as well as Hancock fabrics and all the craft needs. Who needs Wallyworld anymore! They are not low prices as they claim to be. Toilet paper for instance (Charmin) is almost $8 when I can get it at Meijer for $5.99 on sale and use a coupon that doubles I get it for less than $5.00 for 12 double rolls, now that's a bargin! The only thing good about Wallyworld here is that they have Subway!
8-20-2009 @ 12:37PM
mekko09 said...
Target has nothing on Wal-Mart!
Its way more expensive, and doesnt carry as much stuff.
8-20-2009 @ 5:09AM
horsegirl48 said...
A few years back wal mart brought really nice clothes in, I still wear them and are always complimented on them. I am a Bannana Republic gap dresser. I told all my friends to go there for clothes, they wouldnt step foot in a wal mart for clothes, and didnt believe me. A few years back they rook the cute funky clothes away. I guess people who would buy high fashion just would not buy it at WAl Mart.
8-20-2009 @ 10:36AM
Tom Barlow said...
Wait till they open their Botox clinic!
8-20-2009 @ 12:55PM
b.borders said...
Their stock will PLUNGE one the word gets out to BOYCOTT them because of their belief in CENSORSHIP. Watch for the many PROTEST at their stores. High end people do not like to have their 1st amend. rights destroyed.
8-20-2009 @ 12:44PM
b.borders said...
Mellissa-Shut up, you have no right to speak.
8-20-2009 @ 12:52PM
Ernest said...
The way the economy is going soon people will be cutting back on buying clothes even from Wal-Mart. I can’t wait until that happens because there are a couple chicks in my neighborhood I want to see walking around naked. LOL
8-20-2009 @ 1:19PM
ritamweep said...
I'm sure the 9/12 people will do the same to these advertisers who would tell us what we are and not aloud to say, isn’t that Marxism?? These advertisers must not be, listening, to Beck's show. He has many people on his show that agree that he is right or say where he may be wrong, which is seldom. He always asks his audience to research his message. He is an entertainer also. Remarks made would be just fine on Jon Stewert show. I do not believe the right has a problem that he is black, and we would be only half racist if that were the case. Obama's race is not an issue for me...it is his radical mob mentality teachings he received. (No one was happier than I, when Michael Steele became GOP Chairman.) We have a problem with Obama being a puppet for the radical left forcing their agenda to make everyone depend on the Government, so we will vote the way they want, destroy small business and destroy America in general. Listen to FOX News along with your Government Media in order to get ALL the information. Must you not have both sides of the story before you can make your truly informed decisions.
The real plan for our health care, the reason Obama demanded it to be passed before the August "recess."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZ-6ebku3_E
8-20-2009 @ 1:35PM
gleeminghope said...
Walmart is a dump and I wouldn't buy anything there. There prices are not competitive and many items aren't even marked. The meat is gross..I bought my kids some chicken nuggets and when they cut them open, they were a dark grey/black...they were disqusting..my kids won't even eat anything from Walmarts now. Have you looked at the quality of meat..eeeks..nasty, have you looked at their produce...nasty. They cater to the very very low class..and I don't like that they support all imported goods and ideas..I will never buy from Walmarts...not if it were the last store in the city...they import so many goods in from China/Vietnam, etc..were there are no guidelines..tainted food, tainted toys.. I would rather pay more than be poisoned from Walmarts..
8-20-2009 @ 1:47PM
Ed said...
Walmart dumped beck iam dumping walmart
8-20-2009 @ 2:41PM
Terry said...
I am from a small town in central Illinois and I watched all the local businesses slowly die and close due to the introduction of Walmart in town. It was sad to see so many small specialty stores go out of business. Now all that is left is Walmart and their crappy junk. But as long as Americans demand cheap clothing, cheap household products, cheap shoes, and cheap school supplies there will be a place for Walmart. Just remember, if no one shops at Walmart, the smaller stores will survive and you will have choices. Once the smaller stores are gone, you will have no choice but "cheap".
8-20-2009 @ 3:20PM
Meli said...
At least they are not laying off AMERICANS with JOBS..