Reason Foundation

No need for all those "Is Wal-Mart Good for America?" talking head show discussions:

Some 56 percent of U.S. consumers think Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is bad for America, according to a Zogby International poll released on Thursday by one of the retailer's most vocal critics. The national poll -- commissioned by WakeUpWalMart.com, a union-funded group that has been pressuring Wal-Mart to raise employee wages and benefits -- surveyed 1,012 randomly chosen adults on their attitudes toward the world biggest retailer. Respondents were asked to choose which of two statements more closely fit their personal opinions. The majority, or 56 percent, picked: "I believe that Wal-Mart is bad for America. It may provide low prices, but these prices come with a high moral and economic cost for consumers." Thirty-nine percent agreed that "Wal-Mart is good for America. It provides low prices and saves consumers money every day."

And yet the biggest box isn't hurting for customers. Perhaps this shows the difference between stated and revealed preference? Then again, in the democratic process of the market, no one needs to win majority support. If you're a store owner, 99.9 percent of the public might ignore you or even hate you, but you can succeed by catering to the small sliver of America that likes what you do. Article here; via CafÈ Hayek.