Wal-Mart fight heats up in California
While cities challenge expansion plans, the retail giant touts benefits.
from the June 19, 2007 edition
Page 3 of 3
For its part, Wal-Mart says it's been unfairly vilified. The company touts its pay (which it says is $10.68 an hour on average for full-time workers in the San Diego area) and its health benefits (which it says are better than those at local grocery chains).
And, of course, there are those famous discount prices. According to Milwaukee supermarket consultant David Livingston, Wal-Mart's grocery prices undercut their competition by 15 percent.
Low grocery prices "help people live better lives," says Wal-Mart spokesman Aaron Rios.
If the San Diego City Council overrides Mayor Jerry Sanders's veto, Wal-Mart is expected to challenge the ban by launching a petition drive to put the issue on the ballot. The fight over a ballot measure would be "nasty," predicts Mr. Alevy
Consumers, he says, should be able to choose a store for any reason, whether "it's located close to them, or it carries the brands they want, or they like the way it's set up, or they have good help, or, perish the thought, they have lower prices."
There is one recent indication that Wal-Mart is having struggles. According to reports, the chain announced last week that it will slow down the rollout of US superstores, opening 190 to 200 during the current fiscal year instead of 265 to 270.
However, "what their opponents sometimes fail to realize is that Wal-Mart is still growing at a significant pace every year," Mr. Livingston says. "If they get a little negative press, they could care less."
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