Beijing's Newest Walmart #1: Year of the Dog

Xuamwumen; Beijing, China

so I trekked up to BJ's newest Walmart. I took my camera and stuffed it into my jacket so that I wouldn't get in trouble for shooting some footage. Let's just say that they are better at consuming than the Americans. The interesting thing is to notice the cultural differences is marketing Walmart to the Chinese versus Americans. In the videos I've shot, the Walmart in Beijing has red signs hanging from the ceilings that say "YEAR OF THE DOG." Although according to the Chinese Lunar calendar The Year of the Dog has nothing to do with consumption. you will notice they are selling and promoting "dog" stuff everywhere - dog stuffed animals - dogs on products. we are Level 1, in the next video we will go to F1 to see the food level.

Beijing's Newest Walmart #2: Food and Check out Level F1

Xuenwuman; Beijing, China

So here are more differences - they decorate the ceilings with red paper lanterns - wow Walmart is so culturally sensitve right?
This is a glimpse of level F1 - the food and check out floor where they've recreated the outdoor/hu tong/street style market with workers shouting out to shoppers about their fish or teas or shrimp.

Beijing's Newest Walmart #3: From the aisles of Walmart to the Streets of Beijing

Xuanwumen; Beijing, China

Now we are exiting Walmart. Once we are outside, you can see the dilapidated hu tongs across the street. An whole neighborhood of hu tongs were on this land before they were torn down to be sold to Walmart.
Well the hu tongs we are seeing in the video will also be torn down within the year. this is the story of Beijing - every neighborhood, every street, every wall is being torn down to make room for new walls, higher apts and shopping centers.

On the street you can still hear independent business owners selling newspapers and see bicylers offering rides on their peddie-cabs.