Wal-Mart and the Apollo Group, owner of the University of Phoenix announce major mega-merger
Stocks rose sharply today based on the recently released news that the retail giant, Wal-Mart, the biggest employer in America, will be merging with the Apollo Group, owner of the University of Phoenix (UOP).
Although not all details of the merger have been made public, reliable reports have noted that the merger, which has been in the making for years, will see the retail giant now able to offer education directly at Wal-Mart stores.
“This is a great opportunity for consumer-students”, said Andy Barger, spokesperson for Wal-Mart. “Now, Wal-Mart will do what it does best in retail sales with higher education”, said Barger. “Now that people understand that education is a commodity, just like soap or sirloin, they will begin to see the consumer benefits in ‘One Stop Shop Education”, he went on.
The plan is to begin to offer higher educational products and services in the Super Wal-Marts initially. Then, by 2020, the plan is to make higher education available in all Wal-Marts.
Peter Sperling, former owner of the University of Phoenix which he started on a shoe string budget declined to comment on the merger. The Sperling family owns the majority of stock in the University of Phoenix and the merger will mean mega-bucks for the financiers.
The idea, according to sources familiar with the merger, is that the financial aid offices will work right out of the Wal-Mart store. This will cut down on the need for controversial recruiters who have been accused of hustling students into theUniversity of Phoenix. With millions of Americans consumers at Wal-Mart, they will now see the UOP banner when they come into stores and all they have to do is just sign up.
Student loans to go to the new Wal-Mart school will continue to be available. So will Title IV funds meaning that Wal-Mart will have a pipeline into taxpayer’s money. But the retail chain is the leader in customer service and satisfaction and an unnamed spokesperson in the federal government was not only pleased with the merger, but under anonymity stated, “This is going to be the best use of The Daily Censored » Wal-Mart and the Apollo Group, owner of the University of Phoenix announce major mega-merger:
