It all started in 1962. The first Wal-Mart Discount City opened that year in Rogers, Arkansas, and the franchise has been growing exponentially ever since. In 1980 there were 276 stores, and in the year 2000, there are more than 3,400 Wal-Marts in

every state of the USA and a handful of foreign countries. These countries include Germany, Mexico, Canada, Brazil, and Korea, to name a few. Wal-Mart has aspirations to be globally recognized like McDonald's and Coca-Cola.

Until now, I had no idea that Wal-Mart was thought of as villainous. My neighborhood did not change because of the new Wal-Mart as much as it did from the rest of the new stores sprouting up in the area. Communities are learning to adapt to these new conditions. Rural life is changing, and people have to deal with it. Not all of Main Street's stores will stay in business and those who have to quit may be able to find better jobs once their community is developed. In conclusion, Wal-Mart is not a villain and does not move into small towns with the sole intent of "killing" "Ma & Pa" stores!

Even so, for those consumers without Internet access, discount stores are only a short trip away. A lot of people will drive a great distance just for items that are on sale. Residents of small towns that don't have any big discount stores, still like to shop at discount stores, so they usually go shopping at the discount stores in neighboring towns.

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