Wal-mart is attempting to open up a location in New York City and they started by searching for a place in Brooklyn but lost the deal with the borough. Wal-mart was hoping to develop a location in East New York, but were beat out by a Shop-Rite. Wal-mart is currently the largest retailer in the world so it makes sense for it to have a store in the largest city in the U.S. Most New Yorkers have went on record saying that they would want a Wal-mart in their area, but others have opposed the giant store in support of small businesses. Read more below.
Wal-Mart Stores Inc said on Friday it had failed to reach a deal with a developer to have a store in Brooklyn’s East New York neighborhood, dealing the company a setback in its attempt to open its first location in the largest U.S. city.
Wal-Mart, the world’s largest retailer, had been in talks with Related Companies to open a store that would have anchored the Gateway Two Plaza development in Brooklyn. A Shop Rite supermarket will instead occupy that space.
In a statement, Wal-Mart said it would continue to look for a site, adding that most New Yorkers want the discount giant to open a store in their city.
“We remain committed to bringing new economic development and shopping options to New York City, especially in the neighborhoods that need them most,” Steven Restivo, Wal-Mart’s senior director of community affairs, said in the statement.
Wal-Mart has faced opposition from some groups in New York that say it does not pay its workers adequately and would drive out small local businesses.
