Walmart has been running an ad on TV (CBC National for one spot) in which they claim savings of over 14% over Sobey's cost of a similar shopping list. Their calculation of 'saving' is incorrect — and therefore (intentionaly) misleading.
They claim the cost at Sobey's is $133.74
and the cost at Walmart is $116.90
a difference in cost of $ 16.84
which is a savings of 12.59% (if you properly calculate the % savings). What they have done is to calulate the $ savings by dividing by the 'lower cost base' instead of the lower cost.
I always told my kids when they were groing up that when people made incorrect statement, you had to ask yourself 'where they that stupid or that dishonest — take your pick'.
I'm sure the management of Walmart know how to properly calculate %s. Therefore, I can only conclude that this is a clear attempt to mislead.
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