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Definitely varies by area. Seattle doesn't have Walmarts, and the 2 large Targets are in some of the least expensive areas with bad schools so being within 5 minutes of one requires living in a less desirable neighborhood for the most part. If there was a Walmart, you can be pretty sure it would be located in a place even more run down than the Target stores are.
Because Target is more upscale than Wal-mart? They're all the same to me.
Let's just say that my area, while not the most expensive part of town, definitely isn't the cheapest and most run down part of town and has good schools.
In fact, the cheapest/run down areas around here lack either of the big box stores. Both stores in my area are exceptionally clean, shelves well stocked, just about everything you can imagine is in them, including imported specialty items you'd fine in other stores. You will find people with h/h incomes over and below $150K shopping in Target, Walmart or both.
As an aside, I find the whole class/social status tie in to a big box store such as Walmart/Target thing absolutely absurd because regardless of how much money you make, you appreciate the convenience of having all of what Targets/Walmarts offer. You'd rather drive out of your way to a supposedly "high brow" store just to get the same Theraflu or garden tool that you'd find at Target or Walmart? I make a decent to good living and I confess - I like saving money. I like competitive pricing. I like having everything at one place. I have zero issues with my fellow shoppers, as long as management keeps the place looking clean. In life, you'll have to rub elbows with people who aren't as fortunate as you. Walmart's competitive pressure forced the local supermarket chain (which isn't a small mom and pop, but a rather large supermarket chain that had a stranglehold on the region for some time) to competitively price. That's a win for the consumer.
Walmart, for all of its evils, serves a basic need for just about everyone. Where I live, Walmart directly stimulated an economy and our city is reaping the rewards to this day. It all started with a Wallymart and now, my area of the city is experiencing a real estate boom..definitely more than fifteen years ago. So, I'm not gonna trash it.
And I just want to say, that my husband and I, both of who have solid, nice paying incomes, shop at Target and Walmart. It's funny that you would assume that we're trashy because of that.
And I just want to say, that my husband and I, both of who have solid, nice paying incomes, shop at Target and Walmart. It's funny that you would assume that we're trashy because of that.
I didn't. I said the areas where they locate tend to be less expensive. In the case of the 2 in Seattle they located targets near old, run down shopping malls where the rents on a large store were relatively cheap. Both of those malls are significantly nicer now, but they're still in less desirable neighborhoods.
Which is why I'd expect Walmart to do the same, however the only areas where they could find large inexpensive parcel of land to locate on are even more run down. They're not going to stick a Walmart in a trendy or exclusive neighborhood with sky high land values if for no other reason than it will reduce margins. But yes, if it's in too nice of an area they would probably also suffer from not being near their core shopping demographic (which for Walmart is families with incomes around $40k/yr, Target is aimed at $60k - though it's not like they check your w2 at the door!)
I didn't. I said the areas where they locate tend to be less expensive. In the case of the 2 in Seattle they located targets near old, run down shopping malls where the rents on a large store were relatively cheap. Both of those malls are significantly nicer now, but they're still in less desirable neighborhoods.
Which is why I'd expect Walmart to do the same, however the only areas where they could find large inexpensive parcel of land to locate on are even more run down. They're not going to stick a Walmart in a trendy or exclusive neighborhood with sky high land values if for no other reason than it will reduce margins. But yes, if it's in too nice of an area they would probably also suffer from not being near their core shopping demographic (which for Walmart is families with incomes around $40k/yr, Target is aimed at $60k - though it's not like they check your w2 at the door!)
That may apply in some cities, but they opened a Target in the Pelham Manor area in the outskirts of NYC, which is a very expensive suburb. In addition, here in the Austin area, Walmart and Target don't make any distinction in terms of core demographics - they open up stores in higher dollar areas and less expensive areas alike. In fact, they opened a Walmart in the past few years in a neighborhood that is considered very desirable. The neighborhood fought, of course, saying that it squeezed local competition. What they really feared were (gasp!) working class people invading their neighborhoods. Three years later? The Walmart is bustling with neighborhood people. It invigorated a decrepit old mall and turned it into a hip shopping mecca since stores started opening once a big name anchor tenant like Walmart moved in. Everyone likes to save money. And that's my point. It's dumb to pay more for many items if you don't have to.
... But yes, if it's in too nice of an area they would probably also suffer from not being near their core shopping demographic (which for Walmart is families with incomes around $40k/yr, Target is aimed at $60k - though it's not like they check your w2 at the door!)
Heh, I make considerably more than that, and shop at both stores. I honestly don't have a clue where people in my income bracket are "supposed" to shop for random household items. (Um, Amazon?)
And I just want to say, that my husband and I, both of who have solid, nice paying incomes, shop at Target and Walmart. It's funny that you would assume that we're trashy because of that.
As someone that shops at WalMart as well, I hope you didn't glean that from any of my posts.
I live a mile away from Wal-Mart and I really don't think it has any influence on my house price. Then again, where I live, it seems to be impossible to not live within a 5 mile commute of a Wal-Mart. They are everywhere around here
Couldn't take the poll, since my answer is "it depends". Believe it or not, the location of a Walmart is one of the last things to consider when making a purchasing and/or development decision.
LOL.............when I asked questions regarding two developments in NC.... people said.. oh development #1 is the better. #2 is so far away from Walmart!!
Ok, I should have been clear. I am not talking about, "There is a WalMart a mile away" close. I am talking about, "They just built a WalMart that I could hit with a rock." close.
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