Wal-Mart locations *ugh* (Seattle, Republic: fit in, buying, gated community)

[AzDreamer]

Seattle folks sure have an unusual taste in architecture. They declared that an old Denny's restaurant is a historic landmark.

Local News | Surprise: Denny's declared landmark | Seattle Times Newspaper

[SeattlitefromNC]

Originally Posted by AzDreamer

Why do Seattle folks care where some else chooses to shop? Not everyone can afford Nordstrom.

I don't know if Seattle folks care, but Costco certainly cares about the placement of Wal-Marts in the region.

Granted, Seattle doesn't fit Wal-Mart's demographic, but the word on the street is that Seattle has been (officially and unofficially) blocking Wal-Mart for years since Costco became big.

So, part of your answer lies there.

[jwb123]

I would like to see an article or source where you got that from?

If we are talking Sam's Club, vs Costco - ok... maybe, but Walmart vs. Costco? I don't think so. Plus, there are other areas/cities/states where Sam's Club, Costco and Walmart, all coincide just fine. I live in one of those areas! If you were saying Fred Meyer and Walmart - I might agree. For this same reason, I think that's why Super Targets are not as active in the area.

I think that the reason Walmart's are further out from the Seattle Metro Core, is because of the politics of Seattle, and the perception of Walmart's bad business (which is a whole other thread). Also, the negative connotation of the typical "Walmart shopper" and the reason that pwright mentioned, the fact that they are unattractive, have all been reasons for the Walmart backlash.

Many other "progressive" minded cities (Austin, for example) fight the construction of Walmart's in their city core.

In response, Walmart has new designs for it's newer constructed stores that better fit the "look" of an area - though, people are still against them for the other reasons noted.

[seattlerain]

While I'm sure there is some merit in what people have already said, especially what Jenbar and Pwright have said I think that another issue is that of available land. Just where would Walmart build a new store? Seattle doesn't exactly have a surplus of land on which to build a big box store...

I hate to think that people would oppose a new Walmart based on the type of people who typically shop there, but I know there is some truth in that as well.

[appalachiangirl]

I'm surprised your area doesn't have them. In the East,(Except for parts of New England) they are in nearly EVERY town. There are good and bad things about Wal-Mart. In economically depressed areas people are more anxious to have them because at least they provide some work (ex. West Virginia, Southwest PA,Ohio)

[scirocco22]

Originally Posted by seattlerain

While I'm sure there is some merit in what people have already said, especially what Jenbar and Pwright have said I think that another issue is that of available land. Just where would Walmart build a new store? Seattle doesn't exactly have a surplus of land on which to build a big box store...

I hate to think that people would oppose a new Walmart based on the type of people who typically shop there, but I know there is some truth in that as well.

I think the lack of land is not necessarily the reason. After all, Wal-mart one of the biggest if not THE biggest retailers in the nation and are loaded with money. Other chains such as Home Depot, Lowes, and some other grocery chains find places within the city limits to place stores so there's got to be some other reason than land itself.

I'm thinking of some north and south end locations that they could easily find a place to either build or buy out an existing retail location if they wanted. I'm thinking, too, of the old K-mart location in Bellevue at Main and 148th that has been sitting empty for years (I don't know if there's something there now for it's been a few months since I've been in the Seattle area) ...even with Bellevue's upscale image, I could imagine a Walmart there. But on the other hand, K-mart obviously wasn't making a killing at the location nor is it desireable to other chains so, obviously, I don't know what I'm talking about.

I don't think a lot of people necessarily oppose Wal-mart because of the type of people who shop there but for other various reasons like the way they treat their employees, their strong anti-union stance, the Chinese merchandise controversy, etc. I know many who refuse to shop at Wal-Mart on principle.

[seattlerain]

Scirocco, I agree...but I'm sure that the lack of land figures in there somewhere, but then again who knows...


The last time I was down by the old K-mart on 148th in Bellevue it was still empty, I think that was right before Thanksgiving.

[Beenaroundabit]

Can't speak to the other Wal-marts, but the one in Renton is downright nasty. I can see where anyone from Seattle visiting that location would have a negative image of Wal-mart, in general. I have been all over the country and there are some nice, thought-out, well-planned and well-maintained Wal-marts, but Renton has to be near the bottom of the list, in my opinion.

[SeattlitefromNC]

Originally Posted by Jenbar

If we are talking Sam's Club, vs Costco - ok... maybe, but Walmart vs. Costco?

Sam's Club is owned by WalMart.

WalMart's retail strategy has been an "outside-in" one, where the corporation sets up locations in suburban and rural areas and takes over the retail market there. Recently, Wal-Mart has tried to enter the urban market, with decidedly mixed success. As you mentioned, Wal-Mart has many folks who are less than thrilled with the idea of having a store in their midst: labor unions, other retail stores, etc.

What you see in your region is a result of less friction to the inclusion of a Wal-Mart. This is not so in other areas. In CA, Wal-Mart was fiercely fought against (the "stigma" of having one in a town was enough to start picketing from locals). In NYC, Wal-Mart has come under protest from labor unions. And in Seattle, Costco has been instrumental in greasing palms to keep Wal-Mart out of prime Seattle land.

And if you believe that such deals are not possible, I suggest that you open up a Seattle Weekly this week and read about how Rabanco put several small business owners out of business by encouraging the city of Seattle to rearrange city contracts so as to effectively strangle other competition. Believe me, it's business ... and it happens every day.

[appalachiangirl]

It's not just Wal-Mart,but it seems more and more unionized stores are closing and being replaced by non-union ones. A friend of mine is being laid off from a chain store that's well-known in this area(it's closing) and the store taking it's place is a non-union one.