By John Kanelis / johnkanelis_92@hotmail.com

As a general rule I am disinclined to use this blog as a forum to criticize private businesses.

However, the image you see here appeared on my Facebook news feed and it prompts me to offer a brief commentary.

Wal-Mart says it is “investing in American jobs.” The other item you see circled is a self-checkout stand at a Wal-Mart store. The two things — the sign about investing in jobs and the checkout stand — appear to be counter-intuitive.

We have a Wal-Mart store in our town that has gone through a massive interior remodeling. It also is expanding its self-checkout operation.

At one level, I understand that Wal-Mart is entitled to say it is investing in American jobs if its investments include jobs related to warehousing, building maintenance, transportation, shelf-stocking.

The checkout counters, though, are the face of retail outlets … such as Wal-Mart.

I guess if I were to critique Wal-Mart’s advertising strategy, I would offer this bit of advice: Don’t position your “investment” sign within sight of a self-checkout counter. You expose yourself to ridicule.