If you lived in a small town like I do, and saw your neighbors' businesses going under, and them losing their livlihoods, you'd know why I don't shop there. I thought this little university town would never attract a Wal-Mart, but I was wrong. A lot of people fought it, but we couldn't keep it out. Several locally owned grocery stores, and other businesses, have gone under. Many others are hanging on by the skin of their teeth. And that only because a higher proportion than average of the townspeople have decided not to shop at Wal-Mart.

The reason you probably don't see this dynamic in larger towns is that other chains drove out the little people long ago-- or the product they sell is so unusual that there isn't a cheap alternative.

I don't have a huge income and I'm self-employed-- but I prefer to go to the farmer's market and the local health food store and other local venders. I just don't want it on my conscience that my neighbors can't make a living in their hometown. Like someone else said, quality is better than quantity-- I don't need a lot of cheap stuff cluttering my house-- what I do need is a healthy community and a healthy lifestyle, and that includes being able to live with myself.

As to better prices and a greater selection-- that will last until Wal-Mart drives the competition out of business-- which is their only aim-- then you'll be paying whatever they decide to charge you. One of the Wal-Mart strategies is to come into a smaller community, drive everyone else out of business, then leave, and you then have to go to the next town over, where there is still a Wal-Mart, to get your goods. By that time it's too late to shop somewhere else, you have no options.
Bekki