Wal-Mart Stores Looks to Expand in Chicago

New York City Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is looking to expand its presence in Chicago.

According to a Dow Jones report, Wal-Mart is talking with Chicago community leaders about opening approximately 12 stores within the city.

Wal-Mart's focus is on areas in the city that are known as "food deserts," communities that lack enough access to healthy-diet staples, such as fresh vegetables and fruit, the report said.

Wal-Mart has one store in Chicago, on the West Side, opened in 2006 after four years of seeking city approval amid opposition to Wal-Mart's non-union employment approach, and the concerns of businesses worried about impacts from Wal-Mart's presence.

The company has tried to expand in Chicago since then, but ran into continued opposition.