User:Tuxide/Wikiproject Retailing/Wal-Mart/Local community impacts

When opening new store locations, Wal-Mart often faces criticism from the affected communities. Local critics that oppose new Wal-Mart store openings cite concerns such as traffic problems, environment problems, public safety, absentee landlordism, bad public relations, low wages and benefits, and predatory pricing. Critics that defend Wal-Mart cite consumer choice, economic studies, underlying political response, and the proposed store's effect on the poor population by forcing local competitors to lower grocery prices. Opposition may include rejections for developer applications from city councils and protest marches formed by activists and unions. In some instances, activists have demonstrated opposition by causing property damage to store buildings or by creating bomb scares.

One such criticized store location was a Wal-Mart Superstore that opened in 2004 in Mexico, 1.9 miles away from the historic Teotihuacán Pyramid of the Moon and archaeological excavation site. The store proposal received much international media attention. Critics that opposed the Wal-Mart store opening included the local community resistance, as well as environmental groups and anti-globalist policy groups, which protested the store opening. Homero Aridjis, one of the store's lead opponents in the community characterized the opening as being "supremely symbolic" and "…like planting the staff of globalization in the heart of ancient Mexico". Other critics compared the store opening to Hernan Cortés and the Spanish conquest of Mexico. Wal-Mart claimed that they "are not building "next to" the pyramids at Teotihuacán, but miles away. …Our construction is in an area designated for commercial buildings and residences, and hundreds are currently located there. The only opposition to our store has come from a small group of merchants who find competition unwelcome and are seeking to misrepresent our plans for their own interests." Supporters also included Mexico's national anthropology institute, the United Nations and the Paris-based International Council on Monuments and Sites. During construction, a 3 feet square ancient altar was uncovered 1 foot beneath the grade of where the store's parking lot is now located. It was preserved in situ.