Wal-Mart, Leisure, and Culture

30 Pages Posted: 12 Jun 2008

See all articles by Art Carden

Art Carden

Brock School of Business, Samford University

Charles Courtemanche

University of North Carolina (UNC) at Greensboro - Department of Economics

Date Written: June 10, 2008

Abstract

This essay contributes to the debate about the alleged spillover effects associated with Wal-Mart's growth. Combining county-level data on Wal-Mart entry and location from 1985 through 1998 with individual-level data on leisure activities, we estimate a positive relationship between Wal-Mart penetration and participation in activities involving inputs that can be bought at Wal-Mart. The relationship between Wal-Mart penetration and activities that do not involve inputs that can be bought at Wal-Mart is negative in most cases, but may be positive or zero for "cultural" activities such as attending classical music concerts and visiting art galleries. The evidence is consistent with the thesis that deeper Wal-Mart penetration expands consumption possibilities.

Suggested Citation

Carden, Art and Courtemanche, Charles, Wal-Mart, Leisure, and Culture (June 10, 2008). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1143454 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1143454

Art Carden (Contact Author)

Brock School of Business, Samford University ( email )

800 Lakeshore Drive
Birmingham, AL 35229
United States

HOME PAGE: http://www.artcarden.com

Charles Courtemanche

University of North Carolina (UNC) at Greensboro - Department of Economics ( email )

Greensboro, NC 27402-6165
United States

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