Walmart is reportedly in talks to buy the high-end men's clothing retailer Bonobos, and someloyal Bonobos fans aredeeply disturbed by the news.Customers have taken to social media to express their dismay, calling the potential acquisition "brand suicide" and threatening to never shop at Bonobos again if it's acquired by Walmart."Bonobos you just lost a customer," one person wrote on Twitter. "I do love the stretched washed chinos but no offense, I won't go to Walmart for my clothing."Another wrote: "I know I'm not the only one who would never admit to wearing Bonobos if Walmart buys them. They have no business owning a high-end brand."A third called it an "ignominious end for Bonobos."These shoppers' visceral reaction to the newsmight have something to do with the fact that there's little overlap between customers ofBonobos and Walmart.Bonobos sells slim-fitting casual and work clothing for men online at a price point of about $100 per item, or up to $1,000 for a suit.The company markets itself to hip, young, urban, and fashion-consciousmen.The price range for Walmart's menswear, which appeals to a much broader audience, is closer to between $10 and $30, by comparison.That stark contrast is exactly why the move would make sense for Walmart strategically, according to Cowen & Co. analyst Oliver Chen.For Walmart, Bonobos offers"a brand with loyal customers, premium price points, [and] expertise in a differentiated niche," as well as fresh merchandising and fashion talent, Chen wrote in a research note Monday. It gives Walmart an opportunity to enter a high-margin, specialty category that will help it better compete with Amazon, he said.There would besome major benefits for Bonobos as well, assuming the brand wouldn'talienate too many customers by "selling out" to Walmart, as one shopper lamented on Twitter."A transaction would accelerate Bonobos' scale and share... and catapult Bonobos' brand awareness," Chen wrote.But some critics just can't make sense of the potential marriage betweentwo the companies. Here's what some peopleare saying on Twitter.If Walmart buys @Bonobos I'll be the first to say sayonara. Brand suicide for Bonobos #bonobos' pdot pushkin (@pdotpushkin) April 17, 2017@Bonobos just lost a customer. I do love the stretched washed chinos but no offense, I won't go to @Walmart for my clothing. '#unsubscribe' Emily Dysart (@E_Dysart) April 17, 2017I know I'm not the only one who would never admit to wearing @Bonobos if @Walmart buys them. They have no business owning a high end brand.' Don't panic (@bromoresistere) April 17, 2017If @Walmart acquires @Bonobos we will immediately stop shopping there' Jennifer Bonhomme (@JenBonhomme) April 17, 2017Hey @Bonobos if you sell to @Walmart I will stop shopping with you. Please don't.' Jason Simon (@szymenowicz) April 16, 2017.@Bonobos please don't sell your soul to Walmart https://t.co/A3OaNo8zPB' Jason Tropp (@tropp) April 16, 2017.@Bonobos @dunn - how true is this'! Walmart to buy Bonobos... please say no. ' https://t.co/oWHF83e0l2 via @mashable' Francis Brevik (@fkbrevik) April 16, 2017.@Bonobos if @Walmart buys you I'll never shop with your company again.' Dennis Wierl (@dwierl) April 16, 2017@Bonobos please don't sell out to Walmart' Chris Sanders (@Merphel) April 16, 2017If @walmart buys @bonobos, they're def gonna lose customers (including me) cc @dunn' Cole Roberts (@ColeTFRoberts) April 17, 2017RIP @Bonobos #Walmart' Satirical Church (@ShadowChurch63) April 17, 2017@dunn @walmart most disapponting news all year! Time to find another brand. #notyourclientelle #downstream #bonobos' Chris Marino (@c_marino) April 18, 2017@Bonobos if acquired by @Walmart i will no longer shop with you. your clientele is young and educated, we do not support walmart's biz model' Walter Gray (@walterwgray) April 18, 2017An ignominious end for Bonobos as Walmart makes buyout bid. https://t.co/8Y4xZHTmmI' Michael A. Levin (@MichaelALevin) April 18, 2017SEE ALSO:Wealthy shoppers have a new mentality that signals doom for Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, and TiffanyJoin the conversation about this storyNOW WATCH: 5 Costco purchases that make your membership virtually free
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