Anti-Walmart groups plan to stop the stores from coming to the District

[Anonymous]

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/feb/22/wal-mart-critics-plot-stop-4-store-invasion-dc/?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS

I really really don't understand these people. Maybe it is better to be unemployed or have little to no options for shopping than Walmart.

[Anonymous]

I'm not totally clear where I stand on Walmart in DC, but there are studies that show that Walmart leads to a net loss in jobs and other negative effects. I can't give links or corroborative evidence because I don't care enough about the issue to study it. I am only posting to point out to OP that it's not a no-brainer.

[Anonymous]

I think it is due to two things. 1. Walmart had a bad track record on employee issues. But this has changed dramatically. And 2 that small businesses are good for employees and employment.

The reality is that Walmart today has great benefits for retail, Small retail businesses almost never pay benefits, and shoppers pay 15-20 pct more to keep the owner in business

[Anonymous]

I think small businesses are great when they actually sell a nice range of more unique things that are tough to find in most chain stores. But when basically the small business is selling crappy clothing or items in a run down spot - I fail to see how that helps improve the development of the neighborhood. I live not far from Wheaton and find it amazing how strongly people defend the small businesses in that area - none of which I go into becuase they look like crap. On the other hand, I go to Wheaton regularly to shop at Target and the nice Giant there, as well as sometimes Macy's. I think Walmart would be great for the areas they've selected.