Color-coded Wal-Mart roofs

[snopes]

Comment: Is there any truth to the rumor that Wal-Marts have different
color roofs based on the cost of the merchandise inside. I've heard that
those with blue roofs are the cheap Wal-Marts, green roofs are slightly
more upscale and the red roofed Wal-Marts are the "expensive" ones.

[diddy]

Being that I do not shop at Wall Mart (so that I can't confirm anything about their roof colors), I would think it would have more to do with the roofing that is available than the cost of the merchandise which for the most part I would assume would be pretty much uniform across the board.e

[Bryan With a 'Y']

I don't believe it for a second, but it would provide another interesting use for Google Maps.

[Auntie Witch]

None of the Walmart stores I've ever seen have different colored roofs - they're all grey.

[Starla]

I've never seen colored roofs either, but the trim colors on WalMarts vary. I think it's blue/red for regular stores, green/yellow for Superstores that have a grocery, and red/brown for the Neighborhood Markets. I'm looking for a cite...

[tribrats]

Originally Posted by Starla

I've never seen colored roofs either, but the trim colors on WalMarts vary. I think it's blue/red for regular stores, green/yellow for Superstores that have a grocery, and red/brown for the Neighborhood Markets. I'm looking for a cite...

The superstore south of us is blue. The one north of us is just a department store but is also blue. In fact, I don't recall seeing anything other than blue.

ETA: Could it also be a regional thing?
ETAA: The trim is blue. Not sure about the roof.

[HollowMan]

Originally Posted by Starla

I've never seen colored roofs either, but the trim colors on WalMarts vary. I think it's blue/red for regular stores, green/yellow for Superstores that have a grocery, and red/brown for the Neighborhood Markets. I'm looking for a cite...

Not exactly a cite, but the Walmart nearest my workplace has a grocery, and it has a blue trim. I can't speak for the red trim, as I've never seen it, but all of the green trimmed stores I've seen have been built in or near higher end neighborhoods.

[Tootsie Plunkette]

Originally Posted by snopes

Comment: Is there any truth to the rumor that Wal-Marts have different
color roofs based on the cost of the merchandise inside. I've heard that
those with blue roofs are the cheap Wal-Marts, green roofs are slightly
more upscale and the red roofed Wal-Marts are the "expensive" ones.

And the reason for/advantage to Wal-Mart in doing this would be...?

There are a couple of things going on here. First off, you do have the "fit local zoning/color laws" thing going on. Also, they have "updated" the color schemes with the newer stores (and haven't remodeled a store just to change it's colors), so it is also a "new" vs. "old" thing. Also, they do have a special color scheme for new "eco" stores (that use more skylights and other things to lower the store's energy load) so that will also change the color scheme.

Originally Posted by Tootsie Plunkette

And the reason for/advantage to Wal-Mart in doing this would be...?

Well, if people started demanding that the "facts" spread around through chain e-mails had a reason or advantage to them, then it would be the end of chain letters as we know them.

The Wal*Mart in my neighborhood is tan and green. We call it "Fancy Wal*Mart" But I haven't noticed that the prices are any different from any other Wal*Mart.

[Kutter]

Originally Posted by Tootsie Plunkette

And the reason for/advantage to Wal-Mart in doing this would be...?

To give shoppers a secret clue to finding the Good Wal*Mart, obviously.

[Ezri]

I try to avoid the evil Wal*Mart corporation as best I can....