It seems that everywhere in our region of the country Wal-Mart is trying to build their Super Centers. Of course this brings the "Wally World" haters out of the woodwork claiming Wal-Mart is terrible for local economies. They are detrimental to local environments, force "mom and pop shops" out of business, and lower the average wage rate in local areas where they build.
The facts are on the side of the anti-Wallies. The same can be said, though, of all large, one-stop-shopping chain stores. However, other than temporarily boosting local economies by construction of their stores, Wal-Mart by and of itself cannot affect or effect any local economy. I'm not defending Wal-Mart. I personally shop anywhere and everywhere else first, using their brick and mortar megaliths only as a last resort for things I absolutely need.
Let's get real when pointing fingers. No store can stay in business because of itself. Consumers keep them in business. The real culprits in destroying local economies, then, is not the building of large super centers, but the consumers who keep them in business by spending their money there instead of spending it at local boutiques, sports shops, shoe stores, and so on.
Maybe instead of taking on Wal-Mart the "Wally World haters" should adopt a new approach. Educate your neighbors about the harm they're doing to their local economy with their purchases from Wal-Mart, and other such stores. In effect, focus PR efforts where the blame ultimately lies in our retail system - the consumer.
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