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Support for Wal-Mart in NYC Climbs: Poll

NEW YORK — Support among New Yorkers for a Wal-Mart store in the city is growing, according to results of a poll released Thursday by Quinnipiac University.

NEW YORK — Support among New Yorkers for a Wal-Mart store in the city is growing, according to results of a poll released Thursday by Quinnipiac University.

The poll of New York City voters revealed that 69% would shop at a Wal-Mart if it were convenient to them, up slightly from 68% when the same question was asked in March of this year, Quinnipiac said. Democrats and voters in union households want to shop Wal-Mart by similar margins, the poll added.

New Yorkers also are more welcoming to Wal-Mart, with 63% saying city officials should allow the Bentonville, Ark.-based retailer to open in the city. Only 57% were in favor in the March poll.

"Support for allowing Walmart to open in the Big Apple is growing, while the number of would-be shoppers remains constant at more than 2-1," said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

Around 72% of those polled agree strongly or somewhat that Wal-Mart's prices would benefit New Yorkers who would shop there, although 70% agree strongly or somewhat that smaller businesses could be hurt by its arrival. Fifty-one percent said they feel Wal-Mart doesn't pay enough.