Competition healthy for Falls economy?

NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (WIVB) - Could a healthy dose of consumer competition help strengthen your household's bottom line?

Work crews are putting the finishing touches on western New York's newest Walmart in Niagara Falls, which opens Wednesday, replacing an older store on Porter Road.

Featuring Walmart's new color scheme and logo, wider aisles and skylights in the ceiling designed to cut the lighting bill by 75 percent, the Super Center is part of a new breed of Walmarts designed to be greener and more shopper friendly.

Walmart spokesman Steve Restivo said, "All looking and feeling this same sort of open, clear and bright way. Then every new ground-up store, moving forward, will get this same logo treatment, signage package, wider aisles, more convenient shopping experience."

There's even a drive-thru lane in the lawn and garden center, and the largest grocery section of any Walmart in western New York. But in times when money is tight, the Walmart location is forcing it's competition to hold the line on prices.

Store Manager Doug Fruck said, "We have seen our competition lowering their prices, which is good for the community. We will ad-match, make sure that we do whatever it takes to beat our competition on pricing."

Even though the store does not open until Wednesday, some folks are so excited about a new Walmart, they jumped the gun Tuesday.

Niagara Falls shopper David DeMonte told News 4, he'll just wait until Wednesday to get some accessories for his car, "Because the prices are reasonable, and the variety is good. You can get what you want here, at a reasonable price."

But other shoppers, such as out-of-towners had to make do.