San Diego Bans Big Box Stores
San Diego’s City Council voted 5–3 on Nov. 28 to ban stores of more than 90,000 square feet from opening in the city, a move that would affect stores like Wal-Mart, Target and Ikea from setting up shop.
The ban was also aimed at large stores that carry more than 10 percent of grocery merchandise.
San Diego’s move followed a similar one made by the city of Turlock, Calif., in 2004. In that case, Wal-Mart sued the city but lost its case to overturn the ordinance.
Supporters of the San Diego decision argued that the ordinance would preserve business for smaller stores in the city as well as thwart traffic jams associated with big box stores. The ordinance does not affect existing stores in the city. Most of Wal-Mart’s and Target’s supercenters are about 190,000 square feet. Wal-Mart officials said the company may launch a petition drive in an attempt to appeal the decision. —Robert McAllister
