What have studies found about the impact of Wal-Mart and other big-box stores? Here we provide concise summaries and links to the best available research on the impact of these retailers on jobs, wages, local businesses, taxes, and more. (Download a PDF version of this page for printing and distribution.)
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These studies examine whether the arrival of a superstore increases or decreases the number of retail jobs in the region.
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These studies examine the effect of big-box chains, particularly Wal-Mart, on wages and benefits for retail employees. |
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These studies look at how the arrival of a big-box retailer displaces sales at existing businesses, which must then downsize or close, resulting in job losses and declining tax revenue. |
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The following studies have found that locally owned stores generate much greater benefits for the local economy than national chains. |
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Counties that have gained Wal-Mart stores have fared worse in terms of family poverty rates, according to this study. |
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Wal-Mart reduces a community's level of social capital, which has implications for civic participation and economic growth, this study found.
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These studies compare the municipal tax benefits of big-box development with the cost of providing these stores with city services, such as road maintenance, police and fire—finding that cities do not always come out ahead. |
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Because many of their employees do not earn enough to make ends meet, states are reporting high costs associated with providing healthcare (Medicaid) and other public assistance to big-box employees. |
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The expansion of big-box retailers has been financed in part by massive development subsidies handed out by cities across the country. This study documents over $1 billion in subsidies received by Wal-Mart. |
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Do chains deliver the consumer benefits they claim to? |
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Established trip generation rates for supercenters significantly underestimate the actual traffic impact, according to this study. |
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