Retailers Adjust to Katrina

WalMart has re-opened in Waveland, Mississippi. But, it's not like any other in the country. While plywood walls shield the rebuilding going on in the food department, pallets are stacked on the floors, containing mops and buckets, fans, and heaters. They are supplying things that are currently needed. As things progress, more things will be added to inventory. It uses only about 1/3 of the original size of the store. But, the store manager says that will change as the customers go from cleaning up to rebuilding. About 100 of the pre-Katrina 400 employees are now working at WalMart.

Along Highway 90, WalMart is the only store open, except for a fast-food restaurant and several convenience stores.

Best Buy in Gulfport, Mississippi, converted an old grocery store into a warehouse-type store. 81 days after Katrina, a Home Depot store opened in New Orleans. It uses only half the original size of the store, and houses only building materials and appliances.

Tags| Katrina, WalMart, New Orleans, Mississippi