There were NO Wal Marts in the New York Metropolitan area until one opened on Long Island last year. In the Southeast, they are ubiquitous. The one near where I lived in Miami was packed even at 1AM.
I dont know you you NYs could survive without walmart. Heck there nothing better than going shopping at 1 am on friday night/saturday morning. I remember when we lived out in Washington it was target we shopped at. However ive lived in SC for ten years and thats one of the most frequent places we shop...
Heck when I went looking for furnature for my apartment, I spent 450 bucks at walmart getting what I needed.