Most third shift is 10 or 11 pm to 7 am, so it can make shopping difficult. But anyway, I've never noticed the issue of quality. From my perspective, I can spend $X on jeans at Wal-mart, and they last (for example) 6 months. Or, I can spend $2X on jeans from somewhere else, and they last (again, for example) 6-7 months. Ditto for shoes, socks, DVDs, Hot wheels, etc.
We've never noticed a difference with most food, though produce can be extremely hit or miss. This appears to be more due to the manager and employees (since other Wal-marts have had great produce sections), so when we want certain produce items (or specialty ones), we go to an alternate (non-Wal-mart) store.
I can only comment about the stores where I shop, but in my town, you can spend the $20 (or more) on a pair of jeans from Walmart, or, you could buy jeans on clearance at Boscov's, or JcPenney that normally cost $30 to $50 for $10.00. I've even gotten jeans for $20 at Hollister. At Walmart, clearance sales probably only come at the end of each season. Since department stores (mall stores, kohl's etc..), are constantly receiving new merchandise they have to constantly keep their inventory cleared out. This means there is always something on clearance. These types of stores can't allow inventory to sit around till the end of the season. Walmart can because they sell such a variety that they still profit a lot if things sit longer.
The jeans I mentioned above are always the latest trend setters too. That's really a rarity at Walmart.
I've bought sweatshirts in the mall (really good brand and popular brands) and then walked into Walmart where the prices was either the same or slightly more. I don't know if you have kids, but mine would prefer sweatshirts from Hollister, PacSun, Abercrombie, etc... rather than the brands sold at Walmart. When you're talking the same price or less, it's crazy to buy the lesser quality.
Most of the above have been for my children (17 and 18 and do wear adult sizes), but I've even purchased Columbia sweatshirts at Kohl's for hubby that cost less than those at Walmart's sweatshirts (I do not believe they carry Columbia). I know this because when I do walk into Walmart, I just look at the prices and snicker. You can't even buy socks cheaper at Walmart. For anyone who has a Ross's store, buy your socks there. It might not be the lowest price you can get them for, but their prices are really good everyday and are much better than Walmart's.
I have no idea what goes on in every town in America, but I've always been amazed at the people who say Walmart is the better bet for pricing. I'm 100% convinced that's just not true on most items. Food items of certain brands will be the same quality regardless of where it's purchased (assuming you're not shopping in stores where products have went beyond expiration dates). Still, for most items, stocking up at the grocery store is normally the better bet than Walmart's everyday low price.
I can understand those who don't or can't stock up at the grocery store during sales believing they receive the better deal at Walmart. If you're a shop as you need it type person, Walmart probably is the better fit for your needs. That still doesn't make them the best deal in town.