Walmart's sudden move to close 4 Chicago stores sparks outrage, with critics saying it will drive up grocery costs for the neediest families

[lightbright]

Walmart says the four locations that it's closing in Chicago were never profitable.

• Walmart announced this week that it is closing four stores in Chicago in a matter of days.
• Elected officials said that the decision to close the stores "worsens food deserts" in the area.
• Walmart has closed dozens of stores nationwide this year, citing "underperformance" as an issue.

Walmart's decision to shutter four Chicago stores has drawn ire of elected officials representing the Windy City.

In a rare press release on April 11 announcing store closures, Walmart said bluntly that these stores "have not been profitable since we opened the first one nearly 17 years ago."

"These stores lose tens of millions of dollars a year, and their annual losses nearly doubled in just the last five years," the company said. "The remaining four Chicago stores continue to face the same business difficulties, but we think this decision gives us the best chance to help keep them open and serving the community."

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said in a statement she was "incredibly disappointed" by the decision.

"Unceremoniously abandoning these neighborhoods will create barriers to basic needs for thousands of residents," Lightfoot said. "While near-term arrangements will be made for workers, I fear that many will find that their long-term opportunities have been significantly diminished."

In its announcement, Walmart said all affected store employees would be assisted in transferring to any other Walmart or Sam's Club location, and that those who do not transfer will be paid until August 11. Additional severance benefits will be available to eligible employees after that time.
Illinois' layoff law — broader in scope than the federal WARN Act — requires many large employers to provide 60 calendar days' notice before a location closure that is expected to result in 75 or more job losses. Walmart typically does file advance notice where required.
Employers who close without full notice may be responsible for paying workers for up to 60 days, but Walmart appears to go well beyond covering that period; it will provide 17 weeks of wages for those who don't transfer to other stores.

Walmart declined to comment on whether it is providing comparable wage extensions for workers at other closing stores, including elsewhere in Illinois.

Local lawmakers meanwhile have expressed alarm over the swift closures — Walmart is shutting the stores five days after its announcement — and the impact on communities where shoppers rely on Walmart for everyday essentials.

A coalition that includes two state representatives, a state senator, and incoming and current members of the Chicago City Council called the move "unethical" in a statement.

"The communities of the South and West sides of Chicago have already been struggling with increased food costs due to inflation," the coalition said. "Walmart's decision to close four stores in predominantly Black and Brown communities not only worsens food deserts, but will also increase grocery costs for families."




Shoppers at these stores have echoed these concerns. Regina Dickey, a 38-year-old Chicago resident who shopped at the Walmart Supercenter at 8431 S. Stewart Ave., told the Chicago Sun-Times this week that "it's like (Walmart) didn't even give a thought to the people in these communities."

Walmart isn't a stranger to store closures this year. Since February, the retail giant has announced plans to close 20 retail locations across 11 states and Washington D.C.

The move represents a retreat of an aggressive urban expansion Walmart made in recent years. The company does not operate any stores in New York City, and with these closures in Chicago, Walmart is halving its footprint in the third largest city in the United States.

The four Walmart stores closing in Chicago​

• Chatham Supercenter, the Walmart Health center, and the Walmart Academy, 8431 S. Stewart Ave.
• Kenwood Neighborhood Market, 4720 S. Cottage Grove Ave.
• Lakeview Neighborhood Market, 2844 N. Broadway St.
• Little Village Neighborhood Market, 2551 W. Cermak Road

NEWS POLLOpen Menu

Do you think Walmart's decision to shutter four Chicago stores will drive up grocery costs for needy families?
Do you think Walmart's decision to shutter four Chicago stores will drive up grocery costs for needy families?

• Yes, I think so
• Maybe, I'm not sure
• No, I don't think so
• Other / No opinion

MSN

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[Piff Henderson]

Come in, ruin the local economy, then pull out. Sounds about right.

 

[Dr. Truth]

Chicago prayers hourly

 

[blackbull1970]

This is a Prime Example of when Black folks need to come together in their community and put together a CO-OP grocery store.

Folks always saying we need to do for self.

Let’s roll up our sleeves and make it happen!

Put that tax refund check to work!

Food and Grocery Co-ops - NCBA CLUSA

In this article, our team looks at Food and Grocery Co-ops. Diving into the key facts and benefits of them. Read on for more information.

ncbaclusa.coop

 

[34real]

If all those complaining worked security at their local walmarts maybe they would stay.

The dollar tree,general and family dollars will do the say if they start losing money and start having major problems.

I could just imagine what goes on at a chicago walmart

 

[cashwhisperer]

auto-saved prayers every 5 minutes for chicago niggus

 

[Piff Henderson]

If all those complaining worked security at their local walmarts maybe they would stay.

The dollar tree,general and family dollars will do the say if they start losing money and start having major problems.

I could just imagine what goes on at a chicago walmart

I live next to a Dollar General. That place is constantly has ppl stealing from it. I don't mind because the place is always cheating people by marking up prices 50-75 cents over what's listed. It's been there forever and isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

If Wal-Mart needs security, it's up to them to hire it. There are plenty of temp agencies that will send out rent-a-cops.

 

[lightbright]

I live next to a Dollar General. That place is constantly has ppl stealing from it. I don't mind because the place is always cheating people by marking up prices 50-75 cents over what's listed. It's been there forever and isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

If Wal-Mart needs security, it's up to them to hire it. There are plenty of temp agencies that will send out rent-a-cops.

Sorry to hear that


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[Piff Henderson]

Sorry to hear that

It's really across the street but that's still too close TBH.

 

[easy_b]

There’s a sinister thing going on here because they have the same issues in what area is especially in the south with Walmart. Gentrification is not going as well and they hope in Chicago.

 

[Hey Julian!]

If all those complaining worked security at their local walmarts maybe they would stay.

The dollar tree,general and family dollars will do the say if they start losing money and start having major problems.

I could just imagine what goes on at a chicago walmart

Nothing else needs to be said. Grocery chains pulled out of Detroit decades ago for the same reason. Niggas can’t keep shit in the city because they rob the store blind from the inside and out.

 

[easy_b]

Nothing else needs to be said. Grocery chains pulled out of Detroit decades ago for the same reason. Niggas can’t keep shit in the city because they rob the store blind from the inside and out.

The same shit happen in some redneck towns in the south.

 

[Temujin]

This is a Prime Example of when Black folks need to come together in their community and put together a CO-OP grocery store.

Folks always saying we need to do for self.

Let’s roll up our sleeves and make it happen!

Put that tax refund check to work!

Food and Grocery Co-ops - NCBA CLUSA

In this article, our team looks at Food and Grocery Co-ops. Diving into the key facts and benefits of them. Read on for more information.

ncbaclusa.coop

Exactly. When walmart came in everyone was complaining about how they forced out all the mom and pop businesses. Now you have a sea of opportunity make something out of it. Recycle the dollars in the community. This is a great thing!!

 

[creepin]

Exactly. When walmart came in everyone was complaining about how they forced out all the mom and pop businesses. Now you have a sea of opportunity make something out of it. Recycle the dollars in the community. This is a great thing!!

The area will collapse if it's not prepared.

 

[SPECTRE1]

This is the real reason for the store closures. You are just sitting ducks that can easily get mowed down by an assault rifle. It is too much legal liability to have a store like that in a predominately minority area.

 

[knightmelodic]

walmart cares about profit and nothing else. If security is too expensive then they will just leave the area.

What I'd like to know is who's buying the surrounding property.

 

[Da Backshot Champ]

Well that just mean they should send out the social media blast to raid these stores on said date at said time.

 

[Pworld297]

Fucked up situation, they said they are losing millions. I wonder what are the main reason as to why they are losing millions of dollars?

I remember back home in Illinois when they first built the Walmart on our side of town which is predominantly black, people loved it because it brought a lot of jobs to the community. They had self checkout but people were stealing so much that they closed down the self checkout. Then it was a 24hr Walmart but people were up there wild'n out in the early morning hours so they started closing it at 12am. I hated when they did that because I worked the late shift and would stop by there after work sometimes. Ignorant muthafuckas fucking up for everybody else.

 

[easy_b]

I read a few articles about this in Walmart screwed their sales in Chicago area. They cannot blame certain people for their lower profit margins. The red necks in the south in certain small town do the same shit but they don’t see a damn thing. Also that self check out bullshit is really killing them.

 

[lightbright]

Fucked up situation, they said they are losing millions. I wonder what are the main reason as to why they are losing millions of dollars?

I remember back home in Illinois when they first built the Walmart on our side of town which is predominantly black, people loved it because it brought a lot of jobs to the community. They had self checkout but people were stealing so much that they stopped closed down the self checkout. Then it was a 24hr Walmart but people were up there wild'n out in the early morning hours so they started closing it at 12am. I hated when they did that because I worked the late shift and would stop by there after work sometimes. Ignorant muthafuckas fucking up for everybody else.

I don't know how they get away with the stealing at the self check-out..... the overhead cameras and if the item don't weigh the same with what's stored in the memory..... it'll request assistance , freezing the screen


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[Pworld297]

U don't know hoe they get away with the stealing at the self check-out..... the overhead cameras and if the item don't weight the same with what's stored in the memory..... it'll request assistance , freezing the screen


.

I think they were bringing extra stuff and not scanning all the items. Whatever they were doing, a lot of other people start doing it. Smh lol plus they were doing it late at night.

 

[lightbright]

I think they were bringing extra stuff and not scanning all the items. Whatever they were doing, a lot of other people start doing it. Smh lol plus they were doing it late at night.

That's the reason for the overhead cameras..... probably not enough staff to watch them
sidebar: damn, the typos... my bad.... was rushing to go cook lunch

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[bgbtylvr]

Did this in atlanta. 3 that I know of. Too much effort to keep staff and customers safe, The theft cost and hiring off-duty cops it’s not worth it. Close em and sell the land to a property developer.