WARE, MA - OCTOBER 28: Charles Lask, owner of Nat Falk clothing, speaks about the economy and its effects on his store October 28, 2009 in Ware, Massachusetts. The store, which has been in Ware since 1936, has been struggling to compete with the discounts available at a nearby Wal-Mart and the economic downturn in Ware. Ware, an old New England factory town is struggling to find its place in an economy moving away from manufacturing. The unemployment rate in Ware is currently at 9.7 percent with negative job growth and over 11 percent of the population living below the federal poverty level. Getty Images logo Getty Images 1 month ago

WARE, MA - OCTOBER 28: Charles Lask, owner of Nat Falk clothing, speaks about the economy and its effects on his store October 28, 2009 in Ware, Massachusetts. The store, which has been in Ware since 1936, has been struggling to compete with the discounts available at a nearby Wal-Mart and the economic downturn in Ware. Ware, an old New England factory town is struggling to find its place in an economy moving away from manufacturing. The unemployment rate in Ware is currently at 9.7 percent with negative job growth and over 11 percent of the population living below the federal poverty level.

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  1. Wal-Mart Stores CEO Mike Duke (L) confers with and Coca-Cola CEO Muhtar Kent (R) during the Fifth Annual Meeting of the Cinton Global Initative (CGI) in New York September 22, 2009.
  2. NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 22: Mike Duke, President and CEO of Wal-Mart Stores (L), and Muhtar Kent, President and CEO of the Coca-Cola Company participate in the Fifth Annual Meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) on September 22, 2009 in New York City. The Fifth Annual Meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) brings together leaders in politics, business, science, academics and religion to discuss global issues such as climate change and peace in the Middle East.
  3. Maria Martinez checks her sales receipt after checking out at a Wal-Mart, Friday, Nov. 27, 2009 in Marietta, Ga.
  4. Anita Watts, right, checks out with Wal-Mart electronics department manager Joy Bronstorph, left, Friday, Nov. 27, 2009 in Marietta, Ga.
  5. Shoppers pick up wide screen television sets at a Walmart store in Oakland, California, in this November 28, 2008 file photo. California regulators on Wednesday gave final approval to the nation's first mandatory energy curbs on television sets, a growing but often-overlooked power drain that accounts for 10 percent of home electric bills in the state.
  6. The sign at a Wal-Mart store is pictured in Alexandria, Virginia November 12, 2009. Wal-Mart Stores Inc posted a higher-than-expected profit, but forecast earnings during the key holiday quarter that could miss Wall Street estimates as its customers face rising unemployment.
  7. Shoppers look through holiday gift wrapping paper at a Wal-Mart store in Alexandria, Virginia November 12, 2009. Wal-Mart Stores Inc posted a higher-than-expected profit, but forecast earnings during the key holiday quarter that could miss Wall Street estimates as its customers face rising unemployment.
  8. A shopper looks through clothing at a Wal-Mart store in Alexandria, Virginia November 12, 2009. Wal-Mart Stores Inc posted a higher-than-expected profit, but forecast earnings during the key holiday quarter that could miss Wall Street estimates as its customers face rising unemployment.
  9. Shopping carts sit outside a Wal-Mart store in Alexandria, Virginia November 12, 2009. Wal-Mart Stores Inc posted a higher-than-expected profit, but forecast earnings during the key holiday quarter that could miss Wall Street estimates as its customers face rising unemployment.
  10. Shoppers look at Christmas plants at a Wal-Mart store in Alexandria, Virginia November 12, 2009. Wal-Mart Stores Inc posted a higher-than-expected profit, but forecast earnings during the key holiday quarter that could miss Wall Street estimates as its customers face rising unemployment.
  11. Shoppers cart their purchases from a Wal-Mart store in Alexandria, Virginia, November 12, 2009. Wal-Mart Stores Inc posted a higher-than-expected profit, but forecast earnings during the key holiday quarter that could miss Wall Street estimates as its customers face rising unemployment.
  12. Shoppers cart their purchases from a Wal-Mart store in Alexandria, Virginia November 12, 2009. Wal-Mart Stores Inc posted a higher-than-expected profit, but forecast earnings during the key holiday quarter that could miss Wall Street estimates as its customers face rising unemployment.
  13. A shopper looks through clothing at a Wal-Mart store in Alexandria, Virginia November 12, 2009. Wal-Mart Stores Inc posted a higher-than-expected profit, but forecast earnings during the key holiday quarter that could miss Wall Street estimates as its customers face rising unemployment.
  14. Walmart announced new holiday pricing for money transfers, available at any Walmart MoneyCenter or customer service desk. Customers can send up to $200 anywhere in the U.S. or internationally, for the new low price of $7.
  15. FILE - In this Nov. 11, 2009 file photo, a Nordstrom shopper is shown Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2009, in Portland, Ore. Recent earnings reports from stores paint a picture of two classes of American shoppers: The affluent finally are being enticed to spend, buying designer clothes at places like Nordstrom, while those on lower economic rungs are still scrimping by, heading to Walmart for the basics.
  16. In this Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2009 photo, Mary Oksten of Paulsboro N.J. loads her vehicle outside a Wal-Mart, in Deptford N.J. Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is reporting a 3.2 percent increase in profit for the third quarter, helped by cost-control measures.

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