Retail

1 Feb 2004

Britain’s Main Streets Fast Becoming Ghost Towns

by Stacy Mitchell | Date: 1 Feb 2004 | posted in: Retail | 0

"A new retail feudalism is emerging across Britain as a handful of brands take over our shopping. We are witnessing the slow death of small independent retailers," contends Andrew Simms, policy director for the London-based New Economics Foundation (NEF) and co-author of a new report called "Ghost Town Britain: The threat from economic globalisation to livelihoods, liberty and local economic freedom." According to the report, between 1995 and 2000, Britain lost one-fifth of its Main Street enterprises. … Read More

1 Feb 2004

Hood River Rejects Wal-Mart Supercenter

by Stacy Mitchell | Date: 1 Feb 2004 | posted in: Retail | 0

In early January, the Hood River, Oregon, County Commission voted 3-2 to reject Wal-Mart’s application to build a 186,000-square-foot supercenter. "This was a marvelous and gutsy decision by the board," said Kate Huseby, co-chair of the Citizens for Responsible Growth (CRG), a grassroots group that has fought the proposal in this community of 5,000 people in north central Oregon for more than two years. "We applaud them for doing their homework, and making the tough vote." … Read More

1 Feb 2004

Judge Halts Construction of Superstores in Bakersfield

by Stacy Mitchell | Date: 1 Feb 2004 | posted in: Retail | 0

A California Superior Court judge has suspended construction of two Wal-Mart supercenters in Bakersfield, California, indefinitely. Judge Kenneth Twisselman ruled that the city council had not adequately examined the urban blight that could result if existing big box stores close after the new supercenters open. Vacant big box stores, the judge said, have significant environmental impacts that the city is required to consider as part of its environmental review process. … Read More

1 Feb 2004

Buy Local Campaign Launched in Northwest Washington

by Stacy Mitchell | Date: 1 Feb 2004 | posted in: Retail | 0

More than 250 independent businesses in and around the city of Bellingham in northwest Washington have joined together to urge residents to "think local first" when shopping. Organized by Sustainable Connections, a coalition of locally owned businesses, the campaign aims to build public awareness of the benefits of supporting homegrown enterprises. "People don’t always make the connection between their quality of life and the choices they make through their purchases," said Sustainable Connections director Michelle Long.… Read More

1 Feb 2004

Local-Only Shopping Day Boosts Austin Business Alliance

by Stacy Mitchell | Date: 1 Feb 2004 | posted in: Retail | 0

Austin residents responded enthusiastically to a call by independent retailers to shop exclusively at locally owned businesses on Saturday, November 15. The one-day event, called Austin Unchained, was organized by the Austin Independent Business Alliance (AIBA) and was promoted through posters, tee-shirts, and flyers distributed throughout the city.… Read More

1 Feb 2004

Santa Fe Alliance Releases Independent Business Study

by Stacy Mitchell | Date: 1 Feb 2004 | posted in: Retail | 0

Chains are multiplying much faster than locally owned businesses in Santa Fe, New Mexico, according to a new study commissioned by the Santa Fe Independent Business & Community Alliance (SFIBCA). The study concludes that the decline of independent retailers is eroding Santa Fe’s distinctive character and undermining its economy. The study was conducted by Angelou Economics, a consulting firm based in Austin, Texas, that helps cities draft and implement economic development plans. … Read More

1 Feb 2004

Tuolumne County Caps the Size of Retail Stores

by Stacy Mitchell | Date: 1 Feb 2004 | posted in: Retail | 0

Before a standing-room-only crowd, the Tuolumne County, California, Board of Supervisors voted unanimously in January to ban retail outlets over 60,000 square feet, about half the size of the average Home Depot store. The vote came after several months of review and more than two hours of public testimony in which residents overwhelmingly endorsed the measure. "Towns that have resisted the boxes have a vital diverse downtown business climate," one resident told the board. … Read More

1 Feb 2004

Stoughton, Wisconsin, Adopts Big Box Limits

by Stacy Mitchell | Date: 1 Feb 2004 | posted in: Retail | 0

After months of pressure from a vocal citizens group, the City Council in Stoughton, Wisconsin, adopted an ordinance banning stores over 110,000 square feet. Stoughton is a community of 12,500 about 20 miles southeast of Madison. Last year, after Wal-Mart announced plans to close its 40,000-square-foot Stoughton outlet to build a 183,000-square-foot supercenter on undeveloped land, a citizens group called Uff-da Wal-Mart formed. Uff-da is a Norwegian expression of disdain. … Read More

1 Feb 2004

How Wal-Mart’s Health Coverage Stacks Up

by Stacy Mitchell | Date: 1 Feb 2004 | posted in: Retail | 0

The annual premium a full-time Wal-Mart employee must pay for coverage for her and her spouse is $2,672 (with a $350 deductible), which amounts to about 19 percent of her pre-tax earnings, according to the report. Part-time employees (under 34 hours per week) are only eligible to enroll after two years on the job and even then, coverage is available only for themselves, not their families. Full-time workers are eligible for family coverage after six months.… Read More