Wal-Mart mystique absent for some cities

San Diego -- The California Supreme Court has given city officials who may be reluctant to welcome Wal-Mart to their communities the backing to say thanks, but no thanks.

In San Diego, the city council is expected to ban Wal-Mart "superstores" - discount stores with groceries -- within the city, which has several "regular" Wal-Marts, The Christian Science Monitor reported Tuesday.

The California Supreme Court backed up such a stance this month, saying cities and counties can place restrictions on what sort of stores can open in their borders.

Wal-Mart recently faced challenges to its expansion plans in Tucson, Ariz., Spokane, Wash., and Chicago.

But Wal-Mart is fighting back. In Long Beach, Calif., Wal-Mart reportedly spent $270,000 on a successful petition drive to put a measure on the ballot in 2008 that would allow big retailers to sell groceries.

Wal-Mart says it's been unfairly characterized as a bad employer by opponents in San Diego. The company touts its pay and health benefits are as good as or better than similar employers.

Plus low grocery prices "help people live better lives," says Wal-Mart spokesman Aaron Rios.

Copyright 2007 by United Press International.