Wal-Mart pops onto scene, makes its mark (FINALLY, MORE CHICAGO WAL-MARTS)

Chicago Tribune ^ | July 4, 2010 | Julie Wernau, Tribune reporter

[Chi-townChief]

Walk into the lone Chicago Wal-Mart to stock up on pop in the summer heat and there, rising like a palm tree in an oasis, is a stack of Coke cases at a special price: 24 cans for $5.

A brand-name beverage like Coca-Cola for about 20 cents a can is more than a great deal. It's a sign of Wal-Mart's purchasing might, a warning shot to competitors and less than good news for the beverage industry.

Experts call that kind of intimidating power "disruption," and it will come to the Chicago area in a bigger way now that Wal-Mart plans to open a second store in the city, on its way to what it hopes will be dozens more urban locations.

[hinckley buzzard]

Inner city folk are already obese. Now they will have a chance to buy some decent food at low prices.