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Re:A $45 Android tablet by ars on Sunday July 21, 2013 @08:23PM (#6081069)
I've been in a Wal Mart, K-mart, Target, Sears and other stores.

Only superficial differences between them.

Re:A $45 Android tablet by jonknee on Sunday July 21, 2013 @09:33PM (#6081290)
In my area there is a Target and a Wal-Mart directly across the street from each other which makes for a good comparison.

The Wal-Mart has a very large surface lot that currently has a LED sign like used by interstate construction crews to display a rotating message that shop lifters will be prosecuted, has RVs and sketchy vans parked overnight and the 24/7 security roaming around feels necessary. The customers are obviously poor and unusually overweight (which is saying something for the US!). In short, it's depressing.

The Target has a parking deck because there are stores below it (a Whole Foods and some others). There aren't rent a cops rolling around, but it feels safe. Partly because parking lot is much smaller (and covered) because there are multiple floors. The customers don't all seem to be on public assistance and since it's not 24 hours there aren't suspicious characters hanging out overnight.

The difference is very stark. Wal-Mart is more like Dollar General than Target.