🇬🇧 BRIT Reacts To DIFFERENCES BETWEEN US & UK GROCERY STORES!

[@EmmaChihuahua81]

The reason sales tax isn't fixed is because different states have different sales tax. Even within the states different counties and different towns within the same county can have different sales tax rates. This goes back the idea of of taxation without representation (a factor in the revolutionary war). Locals tend to get a bit of a voice in how their local governments spend their tax dollars.

[@andrewthezeppo]

It also is really influenced by marketing and advertising. Places couldn't advertise $1 menu or 2 for $5 you pick things nation wide. They would also have to print different price tags, labels, signs, billboards for every single city. I explain it to people as imagine seeing a price tag in Germany and thinking you can go to Italy and pay that price. They have to change things for language anyways so there isn't the savings you get from having one commercial and one price tag for 330 million people.

[@kimberlylyle2600]

Wal-Mart didn't always sell groceries, and most people don't consider it a "grocery store." A typical American grocery store is more like UK Sainsbury's or Tesco. Wal-Mart is a "superstore" because it sells all kinds of household goods (clothes, electronics, linens, gardening supplies, camping gear, school supplies, etc.) PLUS a full range of groceries. Target also has some superstores in the same vein.

[@filianablanxart8305]

Target trys to position themselves as more upscale , but the cynical take is : 80 % overlapping with WM merchandise , but with only half the selection , at 50% higher prices .

[@Kait2478]

This is what I came to the comments section to mention

[@andrewthezeppo]

@@filianablanxart8305 the products that are the same are generally priced the same. Target just has more higher end items as well as better quality store brands(well depends which store brand) and Wal-Mart has more mid and lower ranged items and more stuff in general. I used to live in a place where they were across the street from one another unless one or the other had a sale things were the same price if they had identical stuff.

[@bruja_cat]

Walmart even has a car technician center to fix your car, buy & install new wheels, oil changes, etc. It’s literally the go-to for practically anything.

[@yeti2turnt435]

@@bruja_cat they even used to sell fishes 😂😂.

[@dutchcanuck11]

The clear up one of your questions, PepsiCo (Lay's is a chip brand of PepsiCo) purchased Walkers in 1989. Instead of ruining their brand recogntion in a market, companies will usually keep the brand name that is familiar in that region :)

[@cheryllunn2827]

Lays is actually Frito Lay, now part of PepsiCo, Gatorade, Tropicana, Miss Vickies, and Quaker. Don't think I missed any? We had the longest name tags ever!.

[@KiraBKADestroyerOfWorlds]

@@cheryllunn2827 😂you missed plenty, because PepsiCo also owns Pizza Hut, KFC, Taco Bell...unless you were just intending to name the food brands, and not all the places that serve food😂

[@cheryllunn2827]

@@KiraBKADestroyerOfWorlds Those 3 were spun off PepsiCo in the late 90s, although they still purchase PepsiCo s fountain beverages. They are now under Yum Brands.

[@andrewthezeppo]

They actually did try to change it to Lay's and sales nosedived so they quickly went back to Walker's but kept the Lay's style logo and font.

[@WUStLBear82]

We call them supermarkets in the US too, depending on where you live. 50 or more years ago the name was used to differentiate larger chain stores from independent, local small groceries sometimes called "mom & pop" or "corner" groceries based on their operators or typical location. But even larger, modern supermarkets are still smaller than big box stores that sell groceries among many other things.

[@JustMe-dc6ks]

The supermarket name may have had to do with when they started including things like meat departments and their own bakeries, things that used to be separate businesses, when groceries just sold groceries and produce.

[@BamaXander]

Most supermarkets put the dairy, coffee, bread, etc. at the back of the store so the customer has to walk past other sections/departments en route to basic essentials. It's a subtle (and effective) way to nudge people to make impulse purchases.

[@fbksfrank4]

Why I couldn’t work in a store, I’m subjected to being overwhelmed by all the ways they’ve come up with for making people look at their products. I eventually, on really bad days I just walked around looking at the ground.

[@CaptainFrost32]

It also makes it more convenient for servicing and stocking the coolers from the freezers and loading docks.

[@bradkirchhoff8264]

Same as the marked down bakery and deli stuff. The bakery and deli is up front but they wheel the mark down carts all the way to the back

[@edh7071]

And/Or ( as Eddie Izzard has so beautifully elucidated) - the moment you walk into an American supermarket, you are bombarded with "fresh fruit and veg". As Eddie says, "This is a FRESH store with FRESH products... HEALTHY, HEALTHY, HEALTHY! (Then comes the cr*p!)

[@Jeff_Lichtman]

Walmart isn't really a grocery store. It's a department store that has groceries and almost everything else. They don't just carry auto parts, but also clothing, electronics, camping gear, toys, tools. . . Where I live, grocery stores include Safeway, Albertson's, Lucky, Trader Joe's, Food Maxx, Grocery Outlet, and Raley's, as well as non-chain stores like Berkeley Bowl. Sales tax varies so much by state, county, and city that it's hard to generalize. Some places have no sales tax at all. In other places, it's over 10%. In California, some major items are excluded from sales tax, including food (unless it's heated on the premises), medicine, and eyeglasses. You can get out of a grocery store in California without paying any sales tax at all, as long as you only buy food items. We do use the word "supermarket" in the U.S. Some claim a supermarket is part of a big chain, while a grocery store is an independent store.

[@JMM33RanMA]

The freak out for Europeans and Asians would be the Gun section, which is not as prominent in "well regulated militia" Massachusetts as it is in some more Somalia-Libertarianistan areas of the country.

[@jonmendelson1104]

The other interesting thing with tax is the way it works with things that have instant rebates instead of discounted prices. When I was in college I worked at an electronics store and sold cell phones, and the start of it was when 2 year contracts were still fairly common. When you'd start or renew your contract with a career you'd get a massively discounted price on the phone but your contract price would offset that (though they didn't give you savings on your bill after the contract expired). For instance, an iPhone would be a $600 phone (smallest capacity) but you'd get it for $200 when you renewed/signed the contract. However, the sales tax was based on the full $600 price, so your $200 phone would have around $50-$55 in tax (or your free $200 phone would have around $17-$18 in tax). I don't know if it was like that nationwide but I know it was in California. There aren't many things that use rebates anymore, I suppose buying a car from a dealership sometimes has it?

[@davidhohn9106]

And should never be a choice of where anyone shops. The whole thing about having the lowest prices is pure BS, and they pay their employees so poorly, that many of their employees qualify for food stamps, and medical coupons.

[@JMM33RanMA]

@@davidhohn9106 That is as true of Walmart as it is for Amazon. The workers' rights, unemployment and healthcare should be universal, with no state or company able to reduce their employees to slavery. Wage slavery is still slavery, especially when the abuses of the workers are so egregious.

[@SoSoKayla]

I live in Minnesota and one of the other things here excluded from sales tax, thank god, is clothing. 😏

[@indy54]

Coca Cola alone there are caffeine free, zero, diet & regular versions of Coke, Cherry Vanilla Coke, Cherry Coke, Orange Coke & Vanilla Coke. Plus there are regional offerings like Georgia Peach in Georgia & Raspberry Coke in California. They also do seasonal Coke flavors. Coke Freestyle machines let you do 127 different flavor combinations. If you start getting into all the other brands of sodas & flavor variants you will be in the hundreds of possibilities. The soda aisle in most groceries stores is insanely long & varied. Same thing with cereal, cookies (biscuits), chips (crisps), etc. The variety is absolutely insane. Soon for the fall there will be pumpkin spiced EVERYTHING!

[@claregale9011]

Yeah and have you read what they put in that stuff 🤮 so bad .

[@SarahBuhrmanKalisara]

Sometimes I can find cinnamon coke... yum!

[@GMAMEC]

I saw the plethora of combinations at the Coca Cola museum in Atlanta, but it looks like they are expanding. I saw similar fountain machines at a movie theaters and fast food restaurants.

[@XxMMXIIxX]

@@claregale9011 Might be bad, but it tastes SOOOOOO GOOD.

[@Anna-ql9gl]

Also lemon and lime flavors.

[@doctor8342]

Walmart has a grocery store, department store with clothes ect, electronics are with TV's, an auto shop where cars are getting repaired, sporting goods, pharmacy, home goods like dishes pots pans ect. Literally you can get everything you need to live life at a Walmart although it's typically cheaper brands ect.

[@HermanVonPetri]

Also, a garden center with plants, landscaping materials, soil, and fertilizer. Then there's often a hair salon, McDonald's, optometrist, bank , tax accounting...

[@doctor8342]

@@HermanVonPetri and now doctors in some, it's getting a little out of hand, the Walmart episode of South Park may not have been far off the mark...

[@CaptainFrost32]

@@HermanVonPetri The last sentence deals with other businesses that rent space from the Wal-Mart instead of renting store space outside the store in strip malls.

[@HermanVonPetri]

@@CaptainFrost32 Well, yes, but to the customer that goes to a Walmart there's no difference. You can still go to a Walmart to get your taxes done, your eyes checked, your hair cut, and sit down and eat a Big Mac afterwards all in the same building. They really have become a different kind of shopping mall.

[@doctor8342]

@not tellin until about what a year or two ago you could.

[@redfury91]

in the states, the terms "grocery store" and "super market" are interchangeable, we use both and no one finds it weird if you use one over the other. they both pretty much mean the same thing for the most part

[@thisbeem2714]

I don't really know what I'd call Wal-Mart But I wouldn't call it a grocery store or a supermarket. It's something quite a bit more. I use supermarket and grocery store interchangeably, though I think of grocery stores as smaller... Target with Grocery or Wal-Mart, I don't know the word for those types of stores...

[@caregiver-69]

@@thisbeem2714 super WalMart, Super Target

[@darkerbrother1]

No there is a huge difference between a grocery store and a supermarket. The principle difference is that a supermarket has a much larger selection. The companies in supermarkets pay for the shelf space Supermarkets are also chain stores. Grocery stores are much smaller. They tend to be locally based and in agricultural communities tend to have fresher local produce and seafood than supermarkets.

[@tybooskie]

@@darkerbrother1 What do call the group of items you buy at a supermarket?

[@andrewthezeppo]

To me they are sometimes but not always interchangeable. I would call Ralph's/Kroger either super market or grocery store. Target and Walmart I would never call grocery stores but I might call them a super market, though would be more likely to use super store or big box store if not just saying Target or Walmart.

[@pjschmid2251]

As far as sales tax I think the highest sales tax rates are around 10%. 20% peoples head would explode. That being said things like groceries and other essentials are typically taxed at a much lower rate maybe 1% or 2%. And of course there are some states that have 0% sales tax. That’s why it’s applied at the register because it varies so widely, State to state county to county even town to town. You can go from one town to the next just a few miles apart and have different sales tax rates. When you consider that advertising and often labeling (think large clothing chains) cross these boundaries it makes sense that the taxes are applied at the register rather than labeled on the shelf or on the rack.

[@heatherhj2011]

In Washington we don't tax food, just non food items.

[@nicgod1]

You’ll also often pay a separate, higher sales tax on alcohol depending on where you live.

[@benjaminjones3099]

I think sales tax in Ohio ranges 6-7.5%

[@nanner3200]

@@heatherhj2011 Same here in WI. No food taxes

[@alysonbowler9040]

Sales tax ranges from 0%-10.5%. It's usually in the 5-10% range. The thing that'll be confusing is that sales tax goes by state, but also by county, and sometimes by city. We live in a town that has the county line. In our town, the sales tax is 6.75%, but the next town over is 7%. To confuse this even further, essentials are taxed at a lower rate, as are ready-to-eat foods, hotel rooms, etc.

[@uncmello]

Sales tax varies by state, county, & city. It will range from 4% to 10%. There are also a few states with no sales tax The reason that the stores don’t just include it in the price is so that national brands and stores can use the same product tags and marketing material nationwide and not have to adjust it for every location.

[@filianablanxart8305]

Used to be 5% sales taxes were common . Nowadays 6% is as common as 5% . 7% and up is considered high . As mentioned above , the details of exactly what is or isn't taxable varies greatly . Bottom line : Y'all actually pay 2 to 4 times more taxes on goods than we do . It's just hidden so that you don't realize it . The U.S. pays less , but is more transparent .

[@michelemoneywell8765]

You pay tax on food? Wow! No tax on food in California. I thought it was a national thing, since food is essential.

[@filianablanxart8305]

Staple Groceries ? Prepared-ish food from store ? Restaurant meals ? Food is a broad topic. Top of list general not taxed . Bottom of list usually is . The inbetween catagories , and exact definitions vary .

[@macusermdm]

@@michelemoneywell8765 Illinois has a reduced sales tax on food. I pay about 7.5% on most good with a reduced tax on food. I think it's around a percent. Wisconsin has no tax on food. When I lived in Alabama, they have full tax. In the Birmingham area, it was about 10%.

[@ladyg1951]

No sales tax in Oregon at all.

[@michaelschemlab]

Sales Tax Rates in the US: Alabama: 4% Alaska: None Arizona: 5.6% Arkansas: 6.5% California: 7.25% Colorado: 2.9% Connecticut: 6.35% Delaware: None D.C.: 6% Florida: 6% Georgia: 4% Hawaii: 4% Idaho: 6% Illinois: 6.25% Indiana: 7% Iowa: 6% Kansas: 6.5% Kentucky: 6% Louisiana: 4.45% Maine: 5.5% Maryland: 6% Massachusetts: 6.25% Michigan: 6% Minnesota: 6.875% Mississippi: 7% Missouri: 4.225% Montana: None Nebraska: 5.5% Nevada: 6.85% New Hampshire: None New Jersey: 6.625% New Mexico: 5.125% New York: 4% North Carolina: 4.75% North Dakota: 5% Ohio: 5.75% Oklahoma: 4.5% Oregon: None Pennsylvania: 6% Rhode Island: 7% South Carolina: 6% South Dakota: 4.5% Tennessee: 9.75% Texas: 6.25% Utah: 6.1% Vermont: 6% Virginia: 5.3% Washington: 6.5% West Virginia: 6% Wisconsin: 5% Wyoming: 4%

[@bagnome]

And that's not even counting county and city sales tax. Like in my specific city, the total sales tax ads up to eleven percent.

[@paulwortham1825]

Tennessee has a 9.75% sales tax, but also in TN the sales tax on groceries like Walmart, Cosco, Kroger, Sams is at 6.75%

[@minjenra]

If you live in a tourist heavy location some time the prepared food tax is higher. Like the State tax is 7% on groceries or gas but 9% on food at restaurants.

[@TheAngee330]

NYC is 8.75%

[@sylviacorwin6]

Damn tennessee u ok?

[@maryjennings4913]

Sales tax here in Maryland, is six percent of the posted price. Although grocery items that are deemed essential, like milk, eggs, etc., are not taxed.

[@Fetch26291]

Here in MA, 6.25% sales tax. Groceries aren't taxed, but prepared food is.

[@rozjones2035]

In southern California 10.25% Essentials are not taxed, on every drink water, soda... we California redemption value, for recycling 5 cents per bottle so for a 24 case of water add $1.20 crv plus tax.

[@maddied4669]

I love going to the outlets in Rehoboth instead of OC bc there’s no sales tax

[@maryjennings4913]

@@maddied4669 same here!!!

[@CaptainFrost32]

Pennsylvania does not tax groceries with the exception of coffee, tea, and soft drinks, and hot prepared foods. [That is equal to getting food at a restaurant, which is taxed. If there is at least one step of preparation, then you can use SNAP/Food stamps to pay for it.] Also, clothing and medicines are not taxed. Anything else has a 6% sales tax, with some metro areas adding to the percentage. I live near the state border, so I know people that crossover to and from Ohio for things untaxed in the other state.

[@brandyforsythe1882]

Kabir, there is a whole psychology to marketing. I only took a class or two, but it was fascinating. Expensive, popular brands go at eye level. Here in America the average woman is 5' 7" so about that height. Store or off brands are either stuck on the top or bottom shelves. Your necessities are in the back, again so you have to walk past all the useless crap you didnt know you wanted. Everything is done for a reason. The music played, store layout, lighting, etc. Very interesting subject.

[@yessa1728]

Average woman is

[@suzanneritter8001]

Yep, it’s all designed to get the consumer to purchase more than intended. I’m 5’ 1-1/2” (that 1/2” is very important). I know many are as aggravated as I am about trying to get the pop bottles out of the dang plastic holders on the top rack! Eye level for most people. Yes, the bottles won’t fall on your head but the 4” guard is too much, especially when you are height challenged.

[@Ivy94F]

It IS an interesting subject. I remember reading somewhere that items packaged in red always sell better than other colors, so that’s why so many brands use the color red for their packaging.

[@maryb1923]

Also there are special fragrances put through the ventilation system that incent more buying.

[@tinaortiz7871]

Name brand manufacturers pay the chains for prime placement in stores as well..

[@starparodier91]

I get my groceries delivered as well but I brought my best friend (from Slovakia) to a Walmart just for fun. My family has never shopped there but she pointed out the aisles are as big as their roads (can verify). Plus, I couldn’t imagine doing grocery shopping with so many other areas around. My mom took me to buy something at a nearby Target in February and “lost” me. Thankfully the toy section and electronics areas are next to each other. All she had to do was look in the Jurassic World aisle. I just turned 30 in June 😂

[@foreverokami16]

Small world I also turned 30 this June as well

[@hah3456]

Do you remember when the cashier would actually page for kids on the speakers 😂😂

[@CaptainFrost32]

@@hah3456 Wal-Mart will still page people from Customer Service, and if you report missing or abducted people, they will use Code Adam to search the store and property.

[@CaptainFrost32]

Of course the main aisles are as big as roads, scissor lifts and pallet jacks and floor scrubbers are as wide as cars.

[@kimmcconnell3854]

In the late 80s/early 90s, there was a dance production near my hometown that featured dancers from the USSR. Two of the dancers were renting my grandmother's house and went to a Wegmans and thought that the government had set up the store as propaganda, they couldn't believe that it was like that every day for everyone.

[@scotto5426]

Walmart actually has a multi bay garage with mechanics that can do minor repairs and install tires, lights, oil changes, government inspections, ect.

[@omgitzzari5585]

Sales tax depends on the state and county within that states, there’s over 11,000 tax jurisdictions within the US so that’s why it can’t just be included. It ranges from 0% - 11%. Lays (a US brand) had to change the name to Walkers and Axe (a French brand) had to change to Lynx because of legal issues with the name in the UK and a few other countries

[@bmil38]

I've seen ideas for having retail price and after tax price posted on the shelf but sales tax can change at any moment. Cities funding large public buildings like stadiums or arenas might increase their sales tax for a while to help fund the project. That would be a lot of work to go and change every item's after tax price when a town's sales tax goes from 6% to 7% for a little while.

[@funsalmon]

@@bmil38 not to mention temporary sales tax holidays!

[@gotham61]

Walkers isn't just a different name for Lay's, it was a well established brand in the UK for decades before Lay's bought them in 1989.

[@juliegass9746]

Marketing and the psychology behind it is key in any store. It's why they place items in different lighting, items when you first walk in at the front of the store, or at check out. It's like at Target having the "one spot" where it's items you can buy for $1 that "convinces" you that you need it when you don't. The psychology behind it is amazing and how it applies to everything (color of walls, colors used to attract the eye, etc)

[@stewartbrown129]

Also, here in Nevada there are 3 types of Wal-Marts there is a "regular" Wal-Mart that has a very limited grocery section. Then there's a Wal-Mart Market that sells groceries only. Then you have the Wal-Mart Super Center which has a full size grocery store, auto service center, eye care center, all departments you would find in a retail department store like sporting goods, firearms, camping, etc. The Wal-Mart Super Center near me also has a Starbucks, McDonald's, and a Subway Sandwich shop inside as well. I suppose the size of store depends on population of the zip codes that the store will serve.

[@robertschwartz4810]

Walmart isn't a grocery store per se. It's a "big box" store, similar to an old fashioned department store, with a grocery section inside. Sales tax varies from state to state, and can vary among different types of items. Food is generally taxed less, liquor and cigarettes, more, etc.

[@liamengram6326]

Not just state to state. County to county. I live in Saratoga County where sales tax is 7% but if I drive 2 miles over to Troy I am then in Albany County where the sales tax is 8%.

[@evemiller2637]

Sometimes brands are different across the states like Best Foods Mayonnaise in the western U.S. is called Hellmann’s as you travel east.

[@SGlitz]

Walmart has 3 sizes, The neighborhood market (grocery store), regular Walmart (department store) and Super Walmart (warehouse sized department store). Additionally, Sam's Club (owned by Walmart) is a Warehouse Club.

[@mdsh00]

We have differences in brand names within the US as well. Dreyer's ice cream on the West Coast is Edy's on the East Coast. Best Foods Mayo (West) vs. Hellman's (East). Carl's Jr (fast food - West) vs. Hardee's (East). Orowheat (bread brand on the West Coast) vs. Arnold (East Coast). All of these have the same packaging and logo but just a different name. You never really know until you travel elsewhere and notice.

[@rachaelromine6024]

I found this interesting. I’m in Louisiana, which is dead center in the south. We seem to get a combination of west and east coast offerings (i.e. Edy’s ice cream & Hardee’s Burgers). 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@tybooskie]

You can get Dreyers and Edy's East. I never knew they were the same company until now. Edit: So apparently you can get both in the Midwest.

[@hah3456]

Some grocery stores in the US doesn’t even sell alcohol depending on the state/county

[@sillynika]

That was my thought too... I remember vacationing on the east coast after turning 21 in Oklahoma and boggling that your could buy liquor right in the grocery store (though I think OK might have started allowing wine sales since I moved away)

[@treetopjones737]

@@sillynika Must be annoying to work in a 7-11 late night ( 24 hour convenience store ), people coming in at or past 2am wanting to buy alcohol.

[@liquiditytrap71]

Walmart isnt a supermarket. Its a store that sells a little of everything, and has a grocery section at the side, which they started doing in the late nineties.

[@incantations446]

There was demurely no grocery store when I was a child. My grandma used to leave us in the small restaurant section and we ate hot dogs, popcorn, and slurpees while she shopped. Wouldn’t dream of leaving a child by themselves anymore. 😂 They started calling them super Walmart once they added the grocery store. Rare to find one without a grocery section nowadays.

[@Anna-ql9gl]

There is Walmart, super Walmart (huge), and Walmart Neighborhood Market (just a grocery store).

[@jesuszamora6949]

Yeah, Walmart is the very definition of a department store.

[@viofix]

Kabir the reason Walmarts (actually they are Super Walmarts) are so big is because they aren’t traditional grocery stores. . Stores like Walmart and their main competitorTarget, didn’t always carry groceries. They sold clothing, toys, household goods etc.but over the years they expanded their merchandise to include groceries in order to suck up that money. You mentioned Kroeger, they are more in line with traditional American supermarkets. The terminology for groceries store/supermarket varies from region to region here in the states and it’s also generational. I’m 52 and growing up in Southern California we had levels to identify these stores: small neighborhood stores were known as neighborhood markets. These were basically all-purpose liquor stores; in addition to liquor/beer/cigarettes they had a small selection of groceries and household supplies. America is large so In NYC those types of stores are called bodegas if I remember correctly. A grocery store here in LA was a normal size to small Ralph’s (Kroeger), Von’s etc or maybe a family owned or local/regional chain. They carried everything but the were not big stores. When I was a kid in the 70s is when supermarkets became a big deal, coinciding with the expansion of the suburbs. This actually began earlier than the 70s but I wasn’t around to see that stuff. Lol. The supermarkets where the crown jewels for grocery companies; huge gleaming and new with aisle upon aisle of every food your heart could desire!

[@markbell4982]

I love Lawrence. He should be a national treasure in two countries. He's just too funny. 😁

[@laalaag2auntyayag776]

I just discovered him on a video on this channel about 20 min ago. It’s weird- he said his birthday & he’s two days younger than me (turning 40 this year 😫), he’s Lawrence, I’m Lauren....His personality seems eerily similar to me too, slightly acerbic but just generally a jokester

[@Nan-59]

@@laalaag2auntyayag776. Hi Lauren! Happy soon to be Birthday! My daughter is November 18, 1981, same as Lawrence! Lots of nice peeps are turning 40 this year!

[@floydhill9265]

Sales tax is less than VAT. Sales tax in the US also varies by State, and municipality which is one reason it is done at the point of sale because many stores are chains. Imagine Walmart trying to price a shirt with tax added, when the tax varies all across the country. Also sales tax will vary by item in places as well. Example, where I live in Texas, sales tax is .0825%, but there is no sales tax on food items like eggs, milk, bread, veggies, etc. And, things like gasoline, cigarettes, and alcoholic beverages may have a higher sales tax than the local .0825 Go just one town over, and you may find everything taxed at a different rate. This is local government in action.

[@jonmendelson1104]

I just figured I'd point out a slight error in what you said. The sales tax where you live in Texas is 8.25%, not .0825%. If you had something that was $100 and you had .0825% tax on it then it would be $100.08 (technically $100.0825 but it would probably be rounded down). Aside from that, I just wanted to compliment you on your profile pic. Don't burninate me too badly for correcting you!

[@floydhill9265]

@@jonmendelson1104 you're correct my friend, I mistyped it. When I'm shopping I tally up my items with my phone and multiply the total by 1.0825 to get the tax total, and make sure I don't go over budget. That's what I had in my brain whenever I was making the post. You are right though it's 8.25% 😄

[@Chief592]

Legendary pfp, you deserve veterans discount on those groceries

[@eliwallace4540]

If anybody who doesn't have access to a Walmart is curious the average Walmart will have -a groceries section -a clothing section -a toys section -a pharmacy -an electronics section -a home and gardens center -an automotive section -small home's repair, remodeling and decorating section -a hunting and fishing section -fitness equipment and supplies section -a bicycle section -a footwear section -a seasonal items section -a greetings card section -an eyeglasses purchase and repair area -a restaurant this is only a list of the most common sections to find in a Walmart. Sections will vary according to the size and location of the store. In addition things such as the eyeglasses purchase and repair area may be downgraded and merged with the pharmacy or upgraded to a full ophthalmologist's office depending on the size of the store. Many other things can be changed in the same fashion.

[@McSnacks930]

Hunting and fishing ie - guns and rods and other things for the activities

[@eliwallace4540]

Yes and more.

[@xxx_blindside_xxx2196]

Don't forget they will often have a fast food chain inside as well.

[@incantations446]

Or barbershop, nail salon, arcade, bank, mechanic shop

[@Wiley_Coyote]

Walmarts are much larger than standard American grocery stores. By the way, Laurence for a change is dead wrong. Supermarket is used in the US too. I actually think Grocery Store is more of a Midwest thing.

[@lizzie5367]

“Grocery store” is common in Bama too.

[@ViolettaVie]

Grocery store is common in NYC. Supermarket is generally known as the big store chains. Grocery is like the smaller stores on that sells lots of fresh produce.

[@bmorrow111100]

In Tennessee all of the stores are officially called Supermarkets on advertisements and such, but everyone (in everyday regular conversations) call them grocery stores.

[@steveeliscu1254]

@@ViolettaVie Yeah. None of the grocery stores I've seen in Manhattan, at least, could be considered supermarkets, They're shoved into small areas and are hard to get around in.

[@material-cheshirekhatter2413]

In the south we refer to it as a "store" by itself or sometimes "grocery store"

[@BrockMak]

4:26 It's simple logics. Extremely perishable foods like fruits and vegetables first, then packaged meats, poultry and dairy around the perimeter, your longer-life groceries in the middle, and loose confectionary and/or magazines and newspapers near checkouts. In the US: Since eggs are refrigerated, it would be in the perimeter, but in Britain, Australia and NZ, since eggs are not refrigerated, they are most likely be in the second-to-last inside aisle with bread. Liquor is either the last in line or tucked away in the corner so it can be fenced off for in-store tastings and restrict access.

[@notashroom]

Yes, sales tax is usually 5%-10%. Usually there's a base sales tax from the state and then you may have a county or city sales tax added to that, which is generally going to be less than half the total. Also, many states changed sales taxes in the last 30 years so they may not apply to food (or only exempt food that needs preparation, with ready-to-eat foods taxed) or to supplies for menstruation. Both of these were to help low income people meet basic needs more easily on awful pay like the $2.13 an hour restaurant servers get before tips in most of the country (which is why you should always tip something, even if you aren't happy with the service, then speak to a manager or leave a review).

[@benmiller537]

A big misunderstanding about Walmart buying car parts at the grocery/ supermarket is that Walmart originated as a department store. So at first, Walmart had all the other (clothes, toiletries, athletic/ sports, toys, etc) stuff and eventually expanded locations to include a more full and comprehensive automotive department where you can buy just buy a tire, but they can put the new tire on your car and change your oil. Similarly they only carried snacks and basic food until they expanded into a full grocery department. As those features became standard the Walmart Supercenter was born and took over the US like Covid.

[@secolerice]

Lay’s is the original company. It uses the name Walker’s as the product name outside the US. Lawrence did a whole video on this. Back when I was a kid, everything was a grocery store. Then some of them became bigger and were called a supermarket. Then came Walmart which combined a grocery store with a department store. Most of the small, family owned grocery stores are gone. I haven’t called them a supermarket for a long time as now these stores are where all the shopping is done, so I just call everything the grocery store, including Walmart. Mostly because all the shopping I do is for groceries and sundries. If I was going to make a separate run to Walmart for non-groceries I would probably say I’m going to Walmart. Or just going to the store depending on how specific I need to be. He doesn’t show it in this video but the variety is in just about everything. The cereal aisle is huge. The variety in spaghetti sauces, canned vegetables, you name it. I notice a difference between stores in different areas of the city also, depending on how they need to cater to the neighborhood.

[@theblackbear211]

Many Brand Names predate the current corporate structure. So, in some cases, once upon a time they were different, but then merged on a corporate level. So brand recognition/loyalty would be a marketing issue. Then, there are patent and trademark issues.

[@escher9622]

Lol Okay. I need to say this. Our delis, bakeries and fruits and vegetables are in the front of the store because people will go to the store just for those items and not have to run through the entire place. People stop there for lunches (deli) and breakfasts (bakery) and grab fruits and veggies with those. We have limited time on lunch breaks from work. It allows the store to gain our business at that time. The tires, yes, we can buy tires there. But it's not what you think. There's a separate register in the auto department, and you can drive your car over to it. So no need to lug the tire through the store. They have a mechanics shop with large garage-style doors for vehicles and can bring your tire out to you.

[@eltiburon2796]

There's no federal sales tax. Delaware, New Hampshire, Montana, and Oregan have no sales tax. Alaska has no state tax but allows localities to change sales tax. As for state wide sales tax it rages from 4-7.5% Most of the largest counties in California where I live are up over 10%

[@avshockey6633]

20% is crazy. The highest sales tax in the US is less than 10%, and most are in the 6-8% range. That 20% would be a real bitch on major purchases like cars, appliances, etc.

[@JMM33RanMA]

I think NYC is the most taxed, %11+, as there is a high state and city tax, and maybe a borough/county tax. New England counties are sometimes just map lines with no governmental function except for being court districts, so no tax, the local government is by town or city and they don't to my knowledge have sales taxes. The term Taxachusetts is undeserved as our taxes are in the middle vis-a-vis other states.

[@tabbycat2323]

Also there are states where there is no sales tax.

[@brettkelly4575]

In Denmark the tax on a car is like 100% you gotta pay the price of the car just in taxes

[@alwilliam3379]

Also, a state may tax an item, while another state may have no tax on that item. Often New Yorkers will go the New Jersey to buy clothes or shoes as there's no tax on them. Unless of course they fall under the 'luxury' threshold.

[@v.v365]

I always classed Walmart as less of a grocery store and more of a department store. They sell food, jewelry, clothes, toys, electronics, sports equipment, outdoors equipment, tools, seasonal items, craft items, sometimes they even have a garden department attached. I consider a grocery store just a place where you buy food and home essentials, like Giant, Safeway, Lidl, etc.

[@v.v365]

Sales Tax differs in every state, sometimes even between cities, it’s up to local government to set up local sales tax

[@kenf3539]

A couple years ago we went fishing in Alaska and stopped at the Walmart SuperCenter in Wasilla for insulated boxes to bring them home in. Most Walmart SuperCenters have two entrances; one more focused on variety goods, and one more focused on food. They had another one as a farm and feed store. You could get your groceries, new jewelry, Lego, an air compressor, a new pair of pants, some naughty underwear, a toilet repair kit, a new laptop, bear spray, a football, new tires for the truck, along with goat feed, poultry scratch, and a hog feeder. Literally everything.

[@plother4242]

One of the reasons the sale tax is added at the check out is because some states don't charge tax on food so if you are purchasing from Walmart in a state with no sales tax on food you will pay less for food than you will in a state that does charge sales tax on food. Since they are a huge chain store in every state this allows for them to put the same price on the items in all stores to make it uniform across the US.

[@rene14slhs]

Florida does federal sales taxes of 6%, each county or city can add an additional sales tax to help fund other projects. Food isn't taxed though. In Tampa Bay you'll find sales taxes range from 7% to about 10% depending on the area you live in.

[@shawnanderson6313]

Federal Sales Tax? Do you mean State?

[@yafola1]

In Texas, there’s no sales tax on food.

[@cawfeedawg]

There is NO federal sales tax in the US. All sales taxes are state and local.

[@shawnanderson6313]

@@yafola1 Many states have no sales tax on food, they do have it on prepared food. For instance you pay tax at McDonalds or any other fast food restaurant. However there is no Federal sales tax in USA.

[@gmunden1]

Supermarkets are called Supermarkets in North America. Grocery stores is used as a generic term. Most Grocery stores are typically smaller or referred to most "mom & pop" neighborhood stores. The larger the supermarket the more variety there is. Sales tax is only applied to certain items such as tools, supplies (not regular food items). Sales tax depends on region (city or state) the range can be 0 to as high as 9%). New York State Sales tax is approximately 8.65%. You are correct about product labeling. Names in the UK may not work well with the same products sold in the US. Lays, for example originates from the parent company "Frito-Lay" hence the various product names such as Lay's, Tostitos, Fritos, Cheetos, etc. Name differences may have a different connotation in the US vs. UK.

[@asiawhite4144]

Sales tax in the USA are between 0% - 10.25% depending on the state, item, city, or street.

[@defftony]

With around 8% being the most typical as far as I can tell (non 0% items)

[@raven2795]

@@defftony Check out Oregon

[@4theloveoflife]

@@defftony groceries here in Nevada don't have sales tax

[@kathyp1563]

Also Lawrence implies that we pay sales tax on groceries. We do not. We do pay sales tax at a restaurant...if we eat in the restaurant, but not if it's take-out. So, when you buy ice cream, they'll ask you "Is this for here or to go?" They are asking you if they should charge you tax.

[@uwbadger79]

@@kathyp1563 We pay sales tax on groceries (not all items) in Chicago and he lives here so is probably just going on what he is familiar with.

[@kimberlylyle2600]

Sales tax varies all over the country, even from city to city, and most are between 5% and 10%. It also varies by the product you're buying. In some places, groceries aren't taxed, or are taxed at a lower rate than other products. Tourism stuff (concert tickets, hotel rooms) are often taxed at a higher rate than the local sales tax. Some places don't tax services at all (like a hair cut, or tire change). Alcohol and cigarettes are usually taxed at different rates from sales tax. Gasoline (petrol) is taxed differently, but this tax IS included in the listed price. (Surprise!) Big ticket items, like cars and boats, are often taxed under a different scheme and don't incur sales tax, per se.

[@stephenschiffman5940]

He was definitely exaggerating when he said 27, but we definitely have more than the ones you listed; Cherry Vanilla Coke, Orange Vanilla Coke, and Cherry Zero Coke are the ones I can name off the top of my head, but there might be more. Also, at least in my experience, there's usually a door near the autoparts section. So if you do buy a new tire or something, you don't have to walk through the entire store with it, you can just leave right there.

[@CaptainFrost32]

When you are asking about soft drinks, he is understating it. Every brand name and flavor, you will find a store brand as well as smaller brands.

[@david-1775]

No... I count 25 but then you can buy those in 12oz cans, 7.5oz cans, 16.9oz bottles, 20oz bottles, and 13.2oz bottles. You can buy them in 6 packs, 8 packs, 12 packs, 20 packs, 24 packs..... Coca-Cola Diet Coke Coke Zero Sugar Caffeine Free Coke Zero Sugar Coca-Cola Energy Coca-Cola Energy Zero Sugar Coca-Cola Vanilla Coca-Cola Vanilla Zero Sugar Coca-Cola Cherry Coca-Cola Cherry Zero Sugar Coca-Cola Energy Cherry Coca-Cola Energy Cherry Zero Sugar Coca-Cola Cherry Vanilla Coca-Cola Cherry Vanilla Zero Sugar Coca-Cola Orange Vanilla Coca-Cola Orange Vanilla Zero Sugar Coca-Cola with Coffee Dark Blend Coca-Cola with Coffee Dark Blend Zero Sugar Coca-Cola with Coffee Vanilla Coca-Cola with Coffee Vanilla with Zero Sugar Coca-Cola with Coffee Caramel Coca-Cola - Georgia Peach Coca-Cola - California Raspberry Coca-Cola from Mexico made with Cane Sugar Coca-Cola Life with Cane Sugar and Stevia

[@jeff__w]

Well, Lawrence was definitely exaggerating but I came across one site that ranked a crazy amount of Coke varieties. I discarded one (which seemed to be a variety of Sprite) and ended up with 28! Some have been discontinued, some are seasonal or limited runs. (I didn’t research all of them.) 1 Coca-Cola 2 Coca-Cola Cherry 3 Vanilla Coke 4 Coke Zero 5 Mexican Coke 6 Coke Lime 7 Coca-Cola Black Cherry 8 Coca-Cola Black Cherry Vanilla 9 Coca-Cola Raspberry 10 Coca-Cola with Lemon 11 Coca-Cola Orange 12 Diet Coke 13 Coke Cherry Zero 14 Coca-Cola Cinnamon 15 Coca-Cola Life (discontinued in 2020) 16 Coca Cola No Sugar 17 Diet Coke Feisty Cherry (discontinued in 2020) 18 Diet Coke Strawberry Guava 19 Diet Coke With Cherry 20 Coke Zero Lime 21 Caffeine-Free Coca-Cola 22 Diet Coke Zesty Blood Orange 23 Diet Coke Twisted Mango 24 Coca-Cola Citra 25 Coca-Cola Blāk (from 2006 to 2008) 26 New Coke (revived as a limited run in 2019) 27 Diet Coke Lime (discontinued in 2018) 28 Diet Coke Ginger Lime

[@jlnasseri4390]

Walmart is not a typical grocery store here in the US: it is a superstore with a grocery area. There are several chain grocery stores in the US such as Ralphs/Kroger and Vons/Safeway (either name depending upon the area of the country they are located in) and many grocery stores such as Trader Joes and others that are state or city oriented. There is a good amount of variety in our grocery stores and many of the smaller stores offer different types of grocery products such as Trader Joes o, here in S CA, Sprouts. When I hear Walmart as a main grocery store I personally don't shop there for groceries.

[@grahamklein5683]

In Cincinnati we have jungle Jim's, which is an international supermarket. I tried walkers crisps and they taste exactly the same as lays. I always have to pick up some mars bars when I'm there too. 😅

[@mattcampbell334]

I live 2 hours from Cincinnati and I have to say, Jungle Jim's has to be the best store I've ever been to

[@isaiahbangura4421]

Walkers is owned by PepsiCo which owns Lays. They just kept the name to keep it familiar.

[@WenD1908]

I miss Jungle Jim’s. I used go there on the regular growing up (I lived right down Rt. 4 so it was really close). My neighbor, who’s Algerian, would drive from Indiana to go there, it had the stuff he missed. Too bad there’s nothing like it in Maryland or on the East Coast, period.

[@juliegass9746]

FYI - depending upon the state you may pay tax on food in a grocery store whereas in Texas you don't pay tax on food items (i.e. flour, eggs) but if you buy Kleenex or other goods you will be taxed on those items. Sales tax is 8.25% in texas

[@mindweavers]

We've got probably 40+ flavors of soda depending on brand similarities. Everything from Coke to Cranberry soda and all in between. Walmart has car parts, prescriptions, vision care, deli, food isles, toys, sports, household, pet items, hair items, makeup, bedding, etc. Most even have a restaurant of some type like Subway. I rarely go to Walmart because you have to commit to walking at least a mile to get all the shopping done and most of the time my joints ache too much to consider it. In fact, you may enjoy the video "Brits Explore Walmart! First time in Walmart!" by Joel and Lia.

[@CaptainFrost32]

It is a matter of focus. I can be in and out in five minutes with my list, while I know people who go through every aisle, every shelf, every department over hours before going to the register. There is an app that you can map your way through based on what you are shopping for, or just make a pull list and pick it up curbside.

[@mindweavers]

@@CaptainFrost32 I actually worked there, so I know where everything is but If it's crazy busy there is no in and out. You get people cutting you off, running you over, taking the last item of something you need. It's one of the reasons I left Walmart.

[@CaptainFrost32]

@@mindweavers I always joked that managers had to take courses as corporate ninjas when they had Academy training. Turn your head slightly, and they are already halfway across the store, leaving you in their dust. My gripe was that I can be done and checked out in 10 minutes, but I have to wait for more than an hour because the relative who has the car keys is just getting to the Clearance shelves and cannot be rushed. I stopped buying cold or frozen goods at Wal-Mart unless I go solo.

[@JMM33RanMA]

If you think Walmart is too big, try a Wegman's, My mother refused to go there, though she liked Walmart. You might want to have a Boy/Girl Scout guide with you. Wegman's has the biggest selection of domestic and imported cheeses, beer and wine that I have ever seen.

[@mindweavers]

@@JMM33RanMA Never heard of them but if they are that big you won't get any tears from me.

[@Otakugirl44]

Sales tax generally varies between 0/10% depending on whee you are, but also what your buying can also effect that in some states some things are deemed essential and thus are not taxed the same and some items may be deemed luxaries and will be taxed higher.

[@joshuabolton3866]

Trust me IKEA would blow your mind if you ever went in. Cheers my brother Kabir

[@Anna-ql9gl]

American Ikea is the Swedish Walmart. Their quality furniture is in Scandinavia. We get the crap. lol

[@smartncrafty5598]

American or Swedish ILEA got Nothing on Super Walmart (guns, ammo, live bait , prescription medication condoms, cigarettes and alcohol)would impress him except maybe Costco and their really nice caskets/coffins selection.

[@treetopjones737]

"Assembly required."

[@drieuxkoeppel8152]

Sales tax laws differ depending what state and what county within that state you live in. Where I live in New York State, food is NOT subject to sales tax. Other items you may buy at the store ARE taxable-for example, hair shampoo or dish detergent are taxable items. A gallon of milk is not. We pay more for a property tax (paid yearly, depending on the assessed value of your home)-which usually includes a school tax. Every school district pays way different school taxes-dependent on what the budget for that school district is. We lived 30 years in a “richer” school district, so we paid more for school tax. Other districts pay less. We lived at one time in North Carolina. When we were there, food WAS subject to sales tax. NC also taxed items like your car, or any other items like that. And they had little to no “property” tax or “school” tax. The taxes on food, etc, paid for schools and more. The other HUGE difference you see is in alcohol sales. Many states sell beer, wine, and hard liquor at grocery stores. Still others do not. In New York, beer, spiked seltzer and hard cider (just “cider” in Europe) are the alcoholic beverages sold in grocery stores, and on Sunday, there are restrictions of what times alcohol can be sold. Rather, wine and hard liquor are sold in liquor stores. Liquor stores are usually individually owned (although some owners may have several stores), and the state strictly regulates the sales by requiring liquor store owners to buy “liquor licenses”,which can be very expensive. Other states have other restrictions. Some states were actually referred to “dry” states at one time, and the only way to get a alcoholic drink at a restaurant was to BYOB. Bring-Your-Own-Beverage. As a child, i visited Utah, which at the time had “dry counties’ and “wet counties”-where alcohol could or could not be sold. Those laws have become much more relaxed recently. One state, New Hampshire, has taken alcohol sales to the next level. Alcoholic drinks are ONLY sold in STATE-RUN stores called “PACKAGE” stores. No individuals can own these stores. More than once, I’ve driven through New Hampshire and seen these package stores for myself. At the border between the states of New Hampshire and Maine-there’s a large package store. Yet, you’ll see a large line at the nearest market in Maine-because in Maine you can buy all alcoholic beverages at markets. The biggest shock for visitors to the USA is how vastly different laws are from one state to the next. Down to how companies are run, allocation of funds to the Departments of Transportation etc. We live close to the border between New York and Pennsylvania. I’m a Registered Nurse with a License to practice in New York. I wanted to work at a hospital at the border in PA-so i had to request a Pennsylvania nursing license. The rules about Nursing licensure in New York are among the strictest in the US, so PA automatically granted me a Nursing License (after I paid $300, of course). Some areas of the US (usually very rural areas) have Nursing Licenses that cover multiple states (called “Nursing Compact Licenses”) but New York does not participate in “The Nursing Compact”. Only 24 or 25 states do participate. So the rest do not. In New York State, Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs-called “Licensed Vocational Nurses” or LVNs in other states) cannot normally work in hospitals. LPN education is normally about a year, and LPNs generally care for ‘stable’ patients, and RNs care for ‘unstable’ (critically ill, accident or trauma victims, etc) patients. In New York, it was decided that LPNs should not work in hospitals. LPNs here tend to work at nursing homes and doctor’s offices. In addition, in New York State, the law was enacted where an RN who graduates with a two-year-nursing degree have ten years to earn a four-year-nursing degree. Two or four-year graduates can still be licensed as RNs, but the two-year nurses must obtain the four-year degree within ten years. The law is called “BSN in ten” (BSN stands for Bachelor’s of Science degree in Nursing). PA does not have that law. They also allow LPNs in PA to work in a more limited role in hospitals. When i worked at a hospital just over the border, we did have LPNs on each shift. However, LPNs cannot care for trauma/unstable patients, they cannot give blood transfusions, they cannot give patients medications directly into their IV lines, and they can only start IVs on a limited basis. On every shift, myself and the other RNs had to assist the LPNs if their patients required any task LPNs couldn’t do via PA law. It wasn’t a big deal, but it took awhile to grow accustomed to. PA also (so fair) doesn’t require BSNs within ten years. I have already earned my BSN, so I’ve always been okay. Once you know that each state, county or city/town in the US may have different laws than other areas, you should be okay. We do also have FEDERAL laws (like Medicare), but thats a whole other story!!

[@kennysalazar4450]

Flatbed freestyle/ Whole lotta red reaction vid soon? LOve ur vids man! :D

[@kabirconsiders]

Thanks mate :) its coming soon!

[@larianyoyola1311]

So a supermarket here in Florida is Rowe’s. I don’t know about the UK but Rowe’s has ethnic foods. It has authentic Asian groceries, Caribbean, Haitian, Mexican, Puerto Rican grocery items. And excellent meat choices and prices. You can even buy cow tongue, ox tail and rabbit. You will find items there you won’t find in an average Walmart or supermarket. My husband is Haitian and I took him to Rowe’s for the first time. He was shocked and amazed to find the Haitian isle with all these products and brands from his childhood.

[@LaurinGarcia]

Here in the US we do use the term "grocery store". But it is only used on stores that are very small and locally owned. 👍

[@athena7042]

No.

[@papua5028]

In most states, groceries are tax exempt, and those states who tax groceries, do it at a lower rate. The purchase of goods for further manufacture or for resale is uniformly exempt from sales tax. Most jurisdictions exempt food sold in grocery stores, prescription medications, and many agricultural supplies.

[@nb8817]

If I remember correctly eggs in the UK are cleaned and processed differently compared to eggs in the US. There are different benefits and setbacks to both methods but that’s basically why UK eggs don’t need to be refrigerated but US eggs do.

[@gladysseaman4346]

Sales taxes are levied by multiple governments. In Georgia our base state tax is 6 1/2% with unprocessed food not taxed. Then add on local taxes, of 3 %, which have been voted by residents in referendums. Thus, in Columbus we pay 9 1/2%.

[@bettymurrell5628]

Here in Houston, our sales tax is 8.25%. The reason it isn’t added to the price is because the tax rate is different from state to state and sometimes county to county.

[@emeralddarkness]

Sales tax varies by a lot of factors! Different areas (states, cities, counties) have different rates, and quite often different items might be taxed differently. Something considered essential, like bread, might be taxed at a lower rate than, say, a preprepard sandwich, and luxury goods are often taxed at a higher rate. For example, sales tax where I live is about 8% for general goods, so if you bought a toy or a chair, but grocery is taxed at about 3%. And, if the items are being bought for something like a charity or a school, then the tax might be waived altogether. From what I heard theres not sales tax at all in Nevada, because the government makes enough money from the Vegas casinos that they just dont charge it. Some places like New York also have a fee of a few cents added on for any plastic bottles, which is returned if you recycle it.

[@hatterxii]

Sales tax varies from not just state to state, but even city to city, even from zip code to zip code. I went to a McDonalds near my house and paid $7.08 for a breakfast meal. I went to another McDonalds 5 miles away, and paid $6.51 for the exact same meal.

[@Pets-n-Treats]

Yes, you can buy auto parts in Walmart. Not every auto part for every car on the road but there is a lot you can get. You can also get camping and hunting gear, paint, gardening and patio supplies, books, electronics, clothes, crafting supplies, sewing fabrics as well as sewing machines, furniture, bedding, towels, home decor, kitchen supplies and small appliances, power and hand tools. Etcetera.

[@PnPP]

A lot of states exempt groceries from sales tax as a some of people mentioned already. Fun fact: Candy and soda are considered groceries in 11 states (Arizona, Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, South Carolina, Vermont, and Wyoming) and are therefore not subject to sales tax.

[@CaptainFrost32]

Candy from the Grocery department is not taxed while candy from the Celebrations department is taxed.

[@MutterallerDrachen2087]

At Walmart, you can get medical supplies, hunting supplies (yes a gun), automotive supplies, paint, everything you need for a kitchen, food, fabric, clothing, and all the cola you need.

[@kwsandman14]

I worked for Wal Mart for a few years back in what was called the Tire and lube Express. Park in the back next ti it. Get an oil change, new tires or a flat fixed plus other services done while you inside doin your regular shopping and pick it up when you were done.

[@familybills2908]

Walmart has an Auto Service Department - you can buy limited auto parts - they mostly service for tires, oil changes and such. You can order your tires from Walmart, pick them up and put them on yourself if you choose.

[@BanduTheGreat]

Not only can you buy car parts, you can have your vehicle serviced too. Sales tax varies from state to state. In Texas, it's 8.25% in Iowa, it's 7%

[@Gitaelia]

In walmart, they have tires, car stereos, electronics, small applicances, hunting bows, hunting rifles and ammo, sports equipment, including sports applicances like treadmills and bicycles. They are absolutely massive.

[@doctor8342]

Sales tax can range from 0% to 15%. So there is no federal sales tax but there are state, county, city, municipality ect tax and it can compound, like there could be a 2% state sales tax + 2% county sales tax + 1% city sales tax so you pay a total of 5% sales tax where that store is located. Also different types of items can have different taxes like there are extra taxes on gasoline, booze, tobacco ect.

[@ESUSAMEX]

Sales tax can vary from area to area, and some products are not taxed at all. Two states in the US have no sales taxes at all: New Hampshire and Oregon. The highest tax I have seen is 10% in Chicago. Where I grew up in NY it was over 8.5% while other areas like NYC were like 9%. In my new state of Florida it is about 7% almost everywhere except Miami and the surrounding areas. Sales taxes are not imposed by the federal government and in fact, the federal government cannot collect sales taxes unless it is on federal land. States, counties and towns create their own sales taxes by usually public vote. If someone created sales taxes as high as the VAT in Europe, every business would fail in that area because the public would not allow it. No one would shop in that area.

[@coalbucket7229]

Years ago Walmart didn’t sell groceries but that changed when it adopted the superstore concept. So, yes, its possible to buy car parts, prescription meds, camping equipment (everything from tents to guns), electronics, etc. in addition to food items. In response, many of the standard grocery chains such as Kroger (the largest traditional grocer in the U.S.) have started selling non-food items. While the variety doesn’t begin to match Walmart’s, I think that it’s only a matter of time. The sales tax rate is 6% in West Virginia but the rates vary because of state and local laws. However, just like most states, WV does not tax food or prescription meds. In addition, prior to the start of each school year, WV suspends the sales tax on all items, including clothing, that a child will need when returning to school.

[@invisigoth510]

Coca-Cola flavors: regular, diet, Coke Zero, Vanilla Coke, cherry Coke, cherry Vanilla Coke, orange coke, orange Coke Zero, orange Vanilla Coke, orange Vanilla Coke Zero, Coca Cola cinnamon. Some of these flavors are limited editions & only available seasonally There are also the flavored diet Cokes: feisty cherry, zesty blood orange, ginger lime, twisted mango & they’ve just introduced Coca-Cola coffees: Dark Roast, Caramel, & Vanilla because apparently there isn’t enough caffeine in Coke alone they have to add coffee to it Sales tax varies by state, county, & city. For example I live in Texas in Harris County. Texas sales tax is 6% & Harris county sales tax is 2% so purchases made in Harris county will have an additional 8% added to the sales total. But if you go to a different county in Texas you may have a different sales tax rate. The tag will show the sales price to show you that you’re paying the same price for the item wherever you’re buying it (Maine, Virginia, Texas, California, etc) but the final price will be different due to the taxes charged at the point of sale

[@blowba]

Usually the reason brands change names is because they used to be 2 separate brands, then 9ne brand gets bigger and buys the other out. Or some bigger company buys both of the brands and keeps the original name in each place, because of brand recognition.

[@filianablanxart8305]

Wal Mart is their own catagory . They were originally , and still are primarily a Department Store selling all types of merchandise . " Classic " Wal Marts will have a handful of isles of limited food selection . In recent years , some , but no means all , newer SuperCenters will have a full size grocery store in addition to a regular Wal Mart . ( Since it was brought up , all Wal Marts will have a couple aisles of " Automotive " with basic motor oil , filters , wiper blades , accessories , etc . Some WM will have a full auto service center selling tires , batteries , doing oil changes , etc . These will have a seperate entrance on the side of the building , with their own cash register ( aka checkout ).

[@douglascampbell9809]

Most big Walmarts actually have a set of mechanic bays at the back of the store. I bought 4 BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 tires and had them installed on my truck there a few years back. It was buy three get one free for tires that run about $250 each US, installation and balancing was included. I literally couldn't beat the price even on line. You can buy firearms and ammunition at Walmart as well. Though after 2018 they restrict the buying age to 21 and they stopped selling non sporting firearms like AR 15s. Sales tax in any of the States I've lived in was never more than 5%.

[@michaelbateman8469]

Taxes... there is no sales tax on food items UNLESS it's considered a "luxury" item, i.e. soda, candies, etc. When it comes to sales tax the reason it isn't factored into the shelf price is because of A) Federal Sales Tax, there is no federally mandated sales tax rate, B) State Sales Tax, this varies from state to state. California and New York having some of the highest. C) County Tax Rate, individual counties may impose their own taxes in addition to State rates. C) Municipalities may impose their own tax rates piled on top of State and County taxes. As an example, one may buy a 20 oz Coca Cola for let's say $2.15. But, stop at a convenience store literally 5 miles down the road and it's now $2.45 because this convenience store is in a different County and sits within a Municipality that tacks on more taxes. The worst part of taxation isn't the fact that they want more money, but the stupid stuff they spend it on.

[@LaurinGarcia]

Sales tax vary from state to state. Some states might have 5% sales tax. Others my might have 10%. I think if you are ever confused about the tax you can just Google it. But bare in mind that depending on the state the rules vary. In NYC there are no taxes on certain types of items and it also depends on how much you spend on those items as well. For example, in NYC any clothings bought under the total sum of $110.00 is exempt from being taxed. So the price is exactly what it is on clothing as long as it's total sum under $110.

[@NAcHO-wx5vg]

So I remember in Walmart… we’re talking years ago now. We had an aquarium at the back of the store near the hunting and fishing department. Also have clothing, some fast food place (the Walmart I had just closed down their subway), electronics, paint, auto, landscaping/gardening, etc.

[@mikedacoolnerd788]

Ah, I remember those. The last time I saw a Walmart have that was about 6 years ago now. Edit: looked it up, and Walmart stopped selling pet fish in all stores in 2019.

[@JustMe-dc6ks]

Walmart has car parts before they had groceries. Walmart and Target are department stores that expanded into the grocery market.

[@harryballsak1123]

As far as sales tax many states don't tax groceries and those that do usually have lower rate than regular sales tax. I live in Tennessee where the regular sales tax is 9.75%( 7% state and 2.75% county ) but groceries are 6.75%( 4% state and 2.75% county ). My son lives in KY where groceries are exempt from sales tax and his regular sales tax is just 6%. What non-Americans need to understand if say McDonald's wants to have a 2 Big Macs for $5 deal nationwide that would be impossible to do if you had to include the sales tax since there could literally be hundreds of different prices. There are exceptions, gas stations include all the taxes in the price per gallon and movie theaters usually include taxes in the ticket prices

[@danielfortier2629]

I don't know about the States, but in Canada Walmarts are PRIMARILY huge DEPARTMENT stores (clothing, bedding, kitchen wares, audiovisual, toys, stationary, small appliances, seasonal, etc) and that's why they also have an automotive department. The grocery department is only a minor part of the Walmart as a whole.

[@mistytharpe3991]

Sales tax not only differs from state to state, they can also different from City to city and county to county. And if the sales tax goes up or down depending on market stresses it makes more sense to calculate the taxes at the register than to re-label every item on the shelf

[@benmiller537]

Sales tax in the US varies from state to state, counties within states, and even individual cities. Typically a state level tax will be in the 4-7% range and a county or city might add an additional 0.5-5% on top of the state or the other. Additionally, any one of those levels can also be 0% The highest I've ever encountered was a total of 12% after all three levels were combined.

[@trevynlane8094]

Tax varies so much that there is no range we can give you. There is federal, state, county, and township taxes that may be applied to anything you purchase, and may apply to some things and not others. It is because of national level marketing efforts that taxes are not traditionally added to prices, as it varies too widely to be predictable on a national level, with the exception of groceries (which are almost never taxed). In general, taxes don't go above 20%, and are usually less, but again it varies very widely. When thinking about the US and taxes, it is often best to treat the US as 50 separate countries instead of thinking it is one nation (only for tax purposes).

[@theresamariegoesplaces9688]

Where I live in NY the sales tax is 8% but it varies from county to county and state to state There is no tax on food, unless it's prepared (hot) food. Most other things are taxed

[@BH-sn7ws]

Walmart does car repairs. The Auto department has it’s own door. If you buy tires you are allowed to go through the automotive door to put in or on you car. Our sales tax is according to which state and county you are in. Some of our states like Florida does not charge a sales tax. I don’t think anyone is charges more than 10%, yet. We also have a luxury tax in addition to the sales tax on certain things. 😊

[@XxMMXIIxX]

Not sure if it's been brought up, but in America, nearly every grocery store has an independent brand sold exclusively at their chain. Walmart has Great Value/Sam's Choice products, Equate medical/first aid supplies and clothing brands ranging from professional (George), casual(Faded Glory), to athleticwead (No Boundaries). Just the carbonated beverages take up nearly two aisles. One for soft drinks, another for carbonated water, sports drinks and alcohol. Walmart has dozens of store-branded beverages to balance the dozens from PepsiCo and Coca-Cola. The convenience of variety is absolutely ridiculous and definitely taken for granted here. I'm from the southeast US, so I'm familiar with our regional chains. Kroger has their own product line, Publix has their own store label, and even discount grocers like Wayfield and Food Lion have their own brands.

[@chris...9497]

Sales tax is set by state, by county, &/or by city. It can also be set by the category of commodity. And the amount can be amended at any time by the legislature that set the requirement to pay. There is no consistency in the amount; you have 5% state sales tax in Maryland and 6.5% state sales tax in Washington state. HOWEVER, Seattle's combined sales tax (combined state/county/city) is 10.25%. As for difference/similarity of UK/US products, blame multinational acquisitions. A company (like Lay's or Mars) is founded in the US, grows big, buys other companies. Independently, a company (like Walkers or Cadbury) is founded in the UK. Similar products are developed by each (whether independently or copied), maybe package design is modeled on whichever is more popular. Some companies end up in merger or bought out by the competitor. Pepsi bought Lay's in 1965 & Walkers in 1989, keeping the Walkers name to ensure British customer loyalty. Mars is owned by the Mars family; Cadbury is owned by Kraft/Heinz. (By the way, I personally am a very big fan of Walkers Cheese & Onion crisps).

[@kendallcarstens9194]

Sales tax: depending on where you live in the US; State tax can range from 6% to 12%, and certain regions then also collect County or City tax that can range fro 1% to 5 or 6% each. So estimating a total possible sales tax can range from 7% to maybe 18%. Then again, in regards to fuel products--the tax for gas or diesel varies by region and city, but is calculated into the price at the fuel pump. So, gasoline pump price example would show $3.50 per gallon; this price is product and taxes combined.

[@laraismyname821]

Where I live in the southern US, my state's sales tax is 4%. But certain items are exempt from the state's sales tax altogether or have reduced tax (usually these are essentials). For example, groceries used to prepare your own food are exempt from my state's sales tax--but prepared food is not. However, then there is a 'local' sales tax (can be county or city) which can be up to 4% & items are not subject to the same exemptions as the state allows. So the highest the *total* sales tax that could be applied throughout my state is 8% (state tax = 4% + max local tax allowed = 4%). But it will vary as you move around within the state. It's all very confusing & nobody really understands it. Seriously. You just know that there will probably be *some* sales tax & budget a little extra for it (like 10% to be safe & bc it's easy to calculate in your head).

[@pspublic13]

Sales tax usually ranges from 1% to 6%. It depends on the item type. Some items have no sales tax and some have high tax. Staying at a motel/hotel will net you 12% tax ( depends on the state).

[@boydwhittaker4274]

Kentucky has a 6% sales tax on most things sold. Food item are not taxed in grocery stores. However, I think it's an 8% tax for take out, with an extra charge for dine in at restaurants.

[@stevenberliner7964]

1. Wal-Mart and Target are department stores, not supermarkets. In the past decade or so, they've been expanding their reach by adding a groceries section, in order to be even more of a one-stop shop. 2. We absolutely call them supermarkets as well, I'd say interchangeably with grocery store. These used to be very regional, but in the past thirty years there has been a lot of consolidation, although the local names are often kept for the sake of continuity. Growing up in New York, I went to Shop-Rite, Pathmark, Waldbaum's, A&P, and Grand Union. In California, I have Safeway, Lucky's, Raley's, Grocery Outlet, and Smart & Final, to name just a few. Most are pretty huge, of course, with the suburban locations tending to dwarf those in the big cities. 3. Sales tax is not only individual by state, but every county within also has the (frequently exercised) option to add to the sales tax.

[@stewartbrown129]

Here in the United States, sales tax varies by state. I live in Las Vegas, Nevada and sales tax is 8.25% but it only charged on non-food items. And, last year the tax law was amended to include women's feminine products. That made the difference between fairness to everyone and penalizing women for products that they have to buy.

[@SGlitz]

In most States, but not all, food is not included in sales tax. Here in the Phoenix Area it is 8-10 % and most of Arizona it fails close to this.

[@DivaInTheWoods]

This reminds me of the SNL Wal-Mart Superstore skit. The store greeters discussing how big the store is stating, "You know it's big when you can buy a pack of gum AND a speed boat!" Also, giving a customer directions to sporting goods, then handing her a bottle of water telling her she'll need it for the journey. Priceless!

[@premiumfruits3528]

Sales tax depends on state. Some states are high, some don't have it at all. It also doesn't apply to everything. Here in Texas its 8.25% and food isn't taxed. On military bases nothing is taxed.

[@rene14slhs]

American superstores have groceries, hygiene products, beauty supplies, auto supplies and parts, electronics, office supplies, clothing department, jewelry, seasonal isle (has holiday supplies in it), cards, gift cards, home decor, home supplies ( like pots and pans,entertainment stands, book cases, etc), garden section with outdoor living supplies, toy department, pet department, shoe department, paint department, home improvement supplies, bakery, deli, post office, some sort of restaurant ( like a subway or McDonald's), hair and nail salon.

[@Dervraka]

Several states have no sales tax at all, in most states in run about 5%-7%, some go as high as about 10%, but it gets more complicated because some cities add a another 1% or 2% on top of the state sales tax. Then some states tax all products and services, while others exempt food or some services like hair cuts or medical care.