BENTONVILLE, Ark.–Walmart is exploring its expansion in the city of Chicago and reviewing potential locations, a spokesman from the retailer told HFN.
The retailer is assessing the “political and financial viability” of operating up to five more stores in the market, according to reports. It currently has one store on the South Side.
Walmart has identified areas in the city that it considers “food deserts,” a term that refers to communities that don’t have adequate access to fresh produce and have a higher rate of obesity, diabetes and malnutrition, the spokesman said.
Despite union opposition to the retailer’s expansion in Chicago, city officials gave Walmart high marks for what its one store has contributed to the community, the spokesman said.
“The combination of the economy being what it is and the good example of what we’ve done on the South Side” means Walmart is poised to bring jobs to the area, he said.