13580. BIG BOX STORES VERSUS TRADITIONAL RETAILERS. This paper presents an overview and analysis of the "big box store versus smaller retailer" controversy, with a focus on Wal-Mart (as the epitome of the big box retailer) and its impact on small business and the local economies of small and medium-sized cities. The paper begins with an overview and analysis of the case against the Big Box stores. Following this, the analysis examines the arguments and evidence which support the Big Box stores and/or refute the charges leveled against them by small retailers. The concluding section considers some of the strategies that local communities and small retailers have used and/or can use to defend themselves against the detrimental impact of big box retailers such as Wal-Mart. 13 pages, 39 footnotes, 20 bibliographic sources.