In full disclosure, I am a huge fan of Wal-Mart and the low prices they offer. However, I will openly admit that shopping at supercenters can be a horrible experience. The long checkout lines, the crowded and cluttered aisles, and the long distances to the nearest store are big turnoffs. The money saving benefits only outweigh the costs if I'm buying a lot of items. When I run out of milk and bread, I refuse to drive four miles to a supercenter when I have a traditional grocery store two blocks away. By creating smaller stores in more locations, Wal-Mart is able to capture consumers that before were willing to pay higher prices for more convenience. They will be taking market share away from smaller retailers that can't offer the same low prices because of higher overhead and a lack of purchasing power. Smaller stores are also easier to push through zoning boards and are helping Wal-Mart break into urban areas they have long been shut out of.