Links

The Walmartization of New York City: http://www.alignny.org/posts/resource/2011/09/the-walmartization-of-new-york-city/
This report by ALIGN’s Josh Kellermann and CUNY’s Stephanie Luce suggests that Walmart’s likely plans for expansion in NYC would dramatically shift the city’s entire retail landscape for the worse.

National Sites

Walmart Watch: http://walmartwatch.org/
Walmart Watch seeks to hold Walmart fully accountable for its impact on communities, the American workforce, the retail sector, the environment and the nation’s economy. Walmart Watch exists to challenge Walmart to more fully embrace its corporate responsibilities and live up to its position as the largest corporation in the United States.

OUR Walmart: http://www.forrespect.org/
Where the Associates of Walmart create a future where we succeed in our careers, our company succeeds in business, and our customers receive great service and value.

Making Change at Walmart: http://www.makingchangeatwalmart.org/
Our vision for American workers – in grocery, retail, and in our communities – is respect and dignity at jobs that pay fairly and guarantee workers a voice.

Big Box Tool Kit: http://www.bigboxtoolkit.com/
Big Box Tool Kit has the resources you’ll need to both beat the big box and to chart a new course for economic development in your community.

Studies

The Walmartization of New York City
Having saturated rural and suburban markets and losing market share for the first time in its history, Walmart is spending millions to break into urban markets like New York City in order to continue growing. But what would be the costs to NYC of Walmart’s continued growth?

This report by ALIGN’s Josh Kellermann and CUNY’s Stephanie Luce suggests that Walmart’s likely plans for expansion in NYC would dramatically shift the city’s entire retail landscape for the worse.

The Impact of an Urban Wal-Mart Store on Area Businesses: An Evaluation of One Chicago Neighborhood’s Experience
The opening of a Walmart store in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood in 2006 has not increased retail activity or employment opportunities, according to a study by researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago and Loyola University Chicago.  The study found that stores near Walmart were more likely to go out of business, eliminating the equivalent of about 300 full-time jobs — about as many as Walmart initially added to the area.  The findings support the contention that urban Walmart stores absorb sales from other city stores without significantly expanding the market, said study co-author David Merriman, head of the UIC department of economics and professor of public administration.

Creating Hourly Careers: A New Vision for Walmart and the Country
by Nelson Lichtenstein and Erin Johansson for American Rights At Work the report exposes the barriers to career development at the country’s most powerful retailer, and makes the case for a new way of doing business.

Wal-Mart’s Economic Footprint: A Literature Review
Prepared by Hunter College Center for Community Planning & Development and New York City Public Advocate Bill de Blasio, the report analyzes economic impact Walmart will have on New York communities.