A larger proportion. But not a larger amount, neccessarily. Wal-Mart buys huge amounts of services - and no, I’m not just talking about clerks, though they are included. It buys transportation, various supplies, cleaning and repair. And not infrequently, it does buy local goods - they are simply raw materials which are sent out, developed further, and returned. All of those goods come from somewhere, and it does not neccessarily come from overseas. In fact, Wal-mart is very discriminating about whom it buys from overseas.
Now, don’t get me wrong. The store has probably removed high-income jobs from the local community. That has a real impact, but not really on other the wealth of the people who live there. In fact, they are effectively wealthier in that they can purchase more and better goods. But it is not even remotely as simple or as easy as claiming that local people spend money locally.
Then you have a meat store offering a higher level of service. Good for you, and I hope he’s a good one, and I’m glad youo can afford his services and products. That’s not the same thing as economic efficiency or actual community wealth.
Weird, your linked list does not include the WalMart near me, at the RI Mall in Warwick. However, both the WalMart and Kohl’s there do not open up into the mall - which is now pretty much dead.
And if I recall correctly, one of the main reasons the RI Mall wanted WalMart there was because of the supposed increased traffic, but then WalMart pulled the rug out from under them stating that as part of the contract, they would not have a direct opening into the mall.
The guys at The Toy Vault really got screwed on that deal.
