After weeks of nail-biting and rampant speculation, Wal-Mart unveiled last month the name of its new retailing concept. Wal-Mart had announced earlier this summer that it would test out a 40,000 s.f. format in several locations in Arkansas. Now they have named the concept. They’re calling it: “The Neighborhood Market”. How about that for an old concept? Has a sort of nostalgic feeling to it. When you consider that most “neighborhood” markets are less than 8,000 s.f., you have to wonder what kind of “neighbors” will want to shop at a 40,000 s.f. store. Will Mr. Rogers start shopping at the friendly “neighborhood” Wal-Market?
The next time a Wal-Mart architect or real estate developer stands up at a town meeting and starts describing his superstore, stop him mid stream and ask him if your town can have one of those “neighborhood” stores instead?