December 14, 2006 - some interesting statistics: 62% of the U.S. population lives within five miles of a Wal-Mart. 94% live within 15 miles of one of its stores. To counteract citizen groups that don’t want another big box store built in their communities, Wal-Mart is now expanding into regional shopping malls where a consolidation of department stores has left vacant stores. The retailer has also promised to build 50 stores in depressed neighborhoods.