Retail

1 Jul 2003

Citizens in Aurora, New York, Press for Big Box Ban

by Stacy Mitchell | Date: 1 Jul 2003 | posted in: Retail | 0

A citizens group in Aurora, New York, has fought off Wal-Mart twice, first in 1996 and again in 2000. Now, with rumors circulating that the company may return for a third attempt, Aurora Citizens for Smart Growth is pushing for a permanent law banning stores over 55,000 square feet. That’s about one-third the size of the stores Wal-Mart previously proposed. Bruce Davidson of the citizens group says the size cap is needed to maintain the character of the community and its small, locally owned businesses.… Read More

1 Jul 2003

Superstore Tax Narrowly Fails in Montana

by Stacy Mitchell | Date: 1 Jul 2003 | posted in: Retail | 0

In April, the Montana legislature narrowly defeated a bill to levy a tax on the revenue of big box retailers. Supported by most Democrats and a handful of Republicans, the legislation would have imposed a 1 percent tax on the revenue of retailers with more than $20 million in annual sales, a 1.5 percent tax on those with more than $30 million in sales, and a 2 percent tax on those with over $40 million.… Read More

1 Jul 2003

How Chain Stores Evade Paying State Taxes. . .And What to do About It

by Stacy Mitchell | Date: 1 Jul 2003 | posted in: Retail | 0

Many retail chains, including Victoria’s Secret and Toys "R" Us, earn profits at stores nationwide, but have developed an accounting scheme to evade paying their full-share of corporate income taxes in more than half the states. Tax experts believe the practice is costing states billions of dollars in lost revenue. It is likely one factor behind the decline in state corporate income tax receipts. … Read More

1 Jul 2003

San Francisco May Notify Neighbors When Chains Try to Move in

by Stacy Mitchell | Date: 1 Jul 2003 | posted in: Retail | 0

Under a measure introduced by San Francisco Board of Supervisors President Matt Gonzalez, the city would notify neighbors whenever a pharmacy or coffee shop wants to open nearby. Residents would have 30 days to request that the proposed store be subject to a public hearing and formal review by the Planning Commission. Such reviews are normally required only for major demolition or construction, or when there is a change of use, such as from residential to commercial. … Read More

1 Jul 2003

Los Angeles May Require Big Boxes to Pay Higher Wages

by Stacy Mitchell | Date: 1 Jul 2003 | posted in: Retail | 0

Hundreds of residents have attended hearings held by the Los Angeles City Council’s Economic Development and Employment Committee on ways to mitigate the negative effects of supercenters on the community. Supercenters are massive stores, primarily operated by Target and Wal-Mart, that combine general merchandise with a full supermarket.… Read More

1 Jul 2003

Borders Books Drops Austin Project

by Stacy Mitchell | Date: 1 Jul 2003 | posted in: Retail | 0

Borders Books & Music has abandoned plans to build a superstore on the corner of Sixth and Lamar in downtown Austin, Texas. A community organization, Livable City, had joined local business owners in fighting the development, which was to be built across the street from two long-standing independent stores, BookPeople and Waterloo Records. The city had set aside $2.1 million in public subsidies for the project.… Read More

1 Jul 2003

Carbondale Voters Defeat Shopping Center

by Stacy Mitchell | Date: 1 Jul 2003 | posted in: Retail | 0

On July 15, citizens in Carbondale, Colorado, voted 57 to 43 percent to reject a 252,000-square-foot shopping center anchored by a Target store. The hotly debated referendum produced the largest election turnout in the town’s history. Carbondale is a community of 5,200 people in the Roaring Fork Valley between Glenwood Springs and Aspen. Carbondale has a lively downtown of locally owned businesses, including hardware, book, and clothing stores. … Read More

1 Jul 2003

Oregon Towns Block Supercenter Expansion

by Stacy Mitchell | Date: 1 Jul 2003 | posted in: Retail | 0

Several Oregon communities are hindering Wal-Mart’s growth. The retailer wants to open new stores in ten locations around the state, but has been blocked in two communities and is facing organized opposition in at least five more. In Hillsboro, the Planning Commission voted unanimously to reject a proposed supercenter. Hundreds of residents turned out at public hearings to argue the store would inundate the area with traffic and harm nearby neighborhoods. … Read More

27 Jun 2003

Saving Banff

by Stacy Mitchell | Date: 27 Jun 2003 | posted in: Retail | 0

Banff, like many communities in western Canada, is facing a growing influx of multinational chains. Determined to save their community from becoming"Anyplace, North America," Banff officials are investigating ways to buck the chain store trend. Luckily, they are not in uncharted territory. Communities across the continent have devised effective strategies for limiting chains and nurturing locally owned businesses. … Read More