When Walmart announced in mid-Januarythat it would shutter 269 stores around the world,the phone started ringing at Norm's Grocery.
Management at the store in Seligman, Missouri (population 850),had stopped reordering most goods a few weeks earlierand shelves hadbegun toempty.After a year of competing with thenew Walmart that opened on Highway 37— the only other place in town stocking a reasonable range of groceries—Norm's customer base had eroded.
Word got out to the locals:At the end of the month, after 42 years in business, Norm's would close for good.
Walmart to close 269 stores, shut down 'Express' format
Then Walmart executives in nearby Bentonvillemade the decision that nobody in Seligman quite understands.