Consumers to NYC: We (still) want Walmart!
Over the years, big city politicians, with those from New York City in the lead, have opposed the entry of Walmart into their domains for a variety of reasons. And there are still no Walmart's operating within NYC's five boroughs. Yet, a new poll by Quinnipiac University shows that 55 percent of New Yorkers want Walmart as a shopping option, with 39 percent saying no. And 64 percent say they would shop at a Walmart if it were convenient.
Democratic Mayor Bill De Blasio and most of the city council, however, still say no. Crain's New York Business says this political strategy is self-defeating because 25 percent of respondents go to the suburbs to shop Walmart stores. And it is obvious that many New Yorkers go to the burbs to shop other big box stores, discounters and outlet malls.
With Walmart raising its minimum pay, it may be harder to rail against them as a low wage company, although they are still seen as offering modest pay and benefits, and are definitely seen as anti-union. And the main argument about Walmart hurting small, local businesses won't go away.
Still, with the most support for Walmart stores among the poorest New Yorkers — and with that constituency standing to gain the most from the stores in terms of cheaper shopping options — it might get harder and harder for politicians to turn them away.
Source: Wal-Mart Free NYC, Facebook page
There might not be any better locations left for Walmart in the U.S. in terms of demographics and sheer population, so it has to be at least in the back of top Walmart execs' minds to make another push for approval to build in the city.