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Article filed under Independent Business | Written by admin | No Comments | Updated on Jul 1, 2003

Stoughton, Wisconsin, Citizens Declare “Uff-da Wal-Mart”

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/stoughton-wisconsin-citizens-declare-uffda-walmart/

Residents of Stoughton, Wisconsin, have come together under the banner "Uff-da Wal-Mart" to fight the company’s plans to turn a nearby cornfield into a massive supercenter. Uff-da is a Norwegian expression of disdain.

In mid-July, Uff-da Wal-Mart scored a significant victory when the City Council adopted a 90-day moratorium on big box retail development. The ordinance temporarily bans development of stores larger than 50,000 square feet.

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Article filed under Independent Business | Written by admin | No Comments | Updated on Jul 1, 2003

Local Retailers, Neighbors Stop Walgreens in Tampa

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/local-retailers-neighbors-stop-walgreens-tampa/

At the urging of a broad group of residents and local business owners, the Tampa City Council voted unanimously in June to reject a proposal to level a neighborhood shopping center to make way for a Walgreen pharmacy and a bank. The shopping center is currently home to nine locally owned businesses, including three restaurants, a fitness center, beauty parlor, and laundry.

A developer sought to tear down the center, annex parts of two residential properties, and construct a large, box-like Walgreen’s and a bank.

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Article filed under Independent Business | Written by admin | No Comments | Updated on Jul 1, 2003

Oregon Towns Block Supercenter Expansion

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/oregon-towns-block-supercenter-expansion/

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.

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Article filed under Independent Business | Written by admin | No Comments | Updated on Jul 1, 2003

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

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/how-chain-stores-evade-paying-state-taxes-and-what-do-about-it/

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.

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Article filed under Independent Business | Written by admin | No Comments | Updated on Jul 1, 2003

Superstore Tax Narrowly Fails in Montana

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/superstore-tax-narrowly-fails-montana/

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. Continue reading

Article filed under Independent Business | Written by admin | No Comments | Updated on Jul 1, 2003

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

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/citizens-aurora-new-york-press-big-box-ban/

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.

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Article filed under Independent Business | Written by admin | No Comments | Updated on Apr 1, 2003

Puerto Rico Okays Wal-Mart Acquisition

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/puerto-rico-okays-walmart-acquisition/

Small business owners are crying foul over an agreement reached between the Puerto Rican government and Wal-Mart. The deal allows Wal-Mart to proceed with its purchase of an island supermarket chain, which will give it control of 40 percent of Puerto Rico’s grocery sales.

Last year Wal-Mart won approval from the Federal Trade Commission to purchase the Amigo supermarket chain. Puerto Rican officials said the deal violated local antitrust laws and sued to block the merger.

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Article filed under Independent Business | Written by admin | No Comments | Updated on Apr 1, 2003

Britain to Review Supermarket Merger

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/britain-review-supermarket-merger/

In March, British officials launched an inquiry to examine the competitive impacts of a merger between two of the country’s top supermarket chains. The findings could derail attempts by Britain’s top three and number five chains—Tesco, Sainsbury, Wal-Mart-owned Asda, and Morrison—to purchase the fourth largest grocery chain, Safeway. Continue reading

Article filed under Independent Business | Written by admin | No Comments | Updated on Apr 1, 2003

Thailand Adopts Local Planning to Control Superstores

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/thailand-adopts-local-planning-control-superstores/

The Thai government has issued a new directive designed to control the expansion of superstores. The measure requires provinces to establish committees to draft new planning rules that stipulate where large-scale stores may locate.

The directive covers all of Thailand’s 76 provinces, except Bangkok and three other major cities, which already have zoning in place. The government estimates it will take three years to implement land use planning nationwide.

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Article filed under Independent Business | Written by admin | No Comments | Updated on Apr 1, 2003

Coalitions Key to Survival of Independent Music Stores

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/coalitions-key-survival-independent-music-stores/

Album sales dropped more than 11 percent last year. Forecasts predict they will dive another 6 percent this year. The internet is partly to blame; the record industry says 2.6 billion music files are downloaded from the internet each month, many of which are burned to CDs. Music is also facing competition from other forms of entertainment, especially among teenagers, who are spending more money on DVDs and electronic games.

Radio consolidation hasn’t helped either.

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