Help for small businesses

Since the beginning of January Wal-Mart has provided support for selected small businesses in its trading area, offering them the opportunity to promote their location on the retailer's house TV channel for three months free of charge. The businesses include two small hardware shops to the west of Chicago, which are having to hold their own against a Home Depot store. Chicago is the first of ten cities where Wal-Mart is offering such support to the local retailers.