Wal-Mart is an important component of the Arkansas business scene.  Here is an example of Arkansas business strategic planning at its finest !!

 

Wal-Mart Wine

Wal-Mart’s spokesperson today announced the Wal-Mart brand of wine. The world’s largest retail chain has teamed up with Ernest & Julio Gallo Winery of Napa Valley, California, to produce the spirits at an affordable price and are in the $1 – $3 range.

Wine connoisseurs may not be inclined to put a bottle of the Wal-Mart brand into their shopping carts, but “there is a market for inexpensive wine,” said Kathy Micken, Marketing Professor at University of Arkansas, Bentonville.

A spokesman for Gallo said the company has long searched for an avenue for properly marketing its less well known products.  Micken said, “The right name is important.”

Customer surveys were conducted by Wal-Mart to determine the most attractive name for the Wal-Mart wine brand. The top surveyed names in order of popularity were:

10. Chateau Traileur Parc
9   White Trashfindel
8.  Big Red Gulp
7.  World Championship Riesling
6.  NASCARbernet
5.  Chef Boyardeaux
4.  Peanut Noir
3.  I can’t Believe It’s Not Vinegar!
2.  Grape Expectations
1.  Nasti Spumante

Name selection will be determined in the next 10 days.

The beauty of the Wal-Mart brand of wine according to Ms Micken , is that it can be served with either white meat (Possum) or red meat (Squirrel); or it can be mixed with beer.