Walmart benefits Calif. communities: Study

Walmart Supercenters in California benefit the communities in which they operate, according to a study released by the Hatamiya Group, Sacramento, Calif.

In a press release announcing the study results, Walmart said communities with supercenters experience additional job creation, small business growth and more robust sales tax revenues. According to Walmart, the report's findings included the following:

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• Total taxable retail sales in California communities with Walmart Supercenters increased by an average of 20.3% once a supercenter opened, while total taxable retail sales in communities without supercenters declined by an average of 11.7% over the same time period.

• Total retail business permits in communities with supercenters increased by an average of 48.5% after the opening of the supercenter, while total retail business permits in communities without supercenters also increased, but only by an average of 20.3% over the same time period.

Lon Hatamiya, whose company conducted the study, previously served as secretary of California's technology, trade and commerce agency under Gov. Gray Davis.

Walmart said the study was based on data from the California Board of Equalization, including six communities in which Walmart operates supercenters (Modesto, Yuba City and Dixon in Northern California and Lancaster, Rosemead and La Quinta in Southern California), compared with six cities where the company does not operate supercenters (Vallejo, Alameda and Hollister in the north and El Monte, Whittier and Lawndale in the south).