Stores We Dont Have in Australia Awards

Shopping is great in the USA compared to Australia. Most things are cheaper and the stores are super-stores. I guess when you are selling to 300 million people - things will be cheaper. Here's some observations from the many (many) hours we spent shopping...

Most Visited Store Award: Walmart - I guess Walmart isn't the most exciting store in the world but I love how its huge and stocks pretty much everything. Because of that - there was always an excuse to go back. Sweet Tarts for a dollar = bad idea. Go for Ice Breakers instead.

Award For Store Causing The Most Excitement For The Girls: Ross - 'Dress For Less'. Endless racks of end of season clothes at discount prices. It's like girls in a candy store, except the candy is clothes, shoes and handbags and the prices are comparable to candy. In many ways it like a treasure hunt where you can rummage through tons of rubbish for a few items of quality and the reward is the privilege of handing over your credit card. How come the guys section is like only 4 racks out of 100?

Ol' Favourite Award: Costco - We have Costco in Australia now so it doesn't technically qualify for these awards but its still a little different. Same same but cheaper. We just can't buy a lot from here because everything is in bulk.

I Wish I Had More Money Award: Frys - You know those competitions where you have one hour to fill up a shopping cart. I wish I could do that here. Like electronics much?

Same Same But Awesome Award: REI - Australian outdoors enthusiasts usually love Kathmandu. REI stores are about 4 times larger, cheaper and they deliver!

Honorable mentions:

Marshall's - this one is like Ross but messier.
Nordstrom Rack - Nordstrom is like Macy's but classier (the sales attendants wear suits) and Nordstrom Rack is the discount version. They have suits for guys!
Best Buy - someone say Harvey Norman?

This photo is completely unrelated to this post but I found it interesting...