Wal-Mart discount department stores vary in size from 51,000 square feet to 224,000 square feet, with an average store covering about 102,000 square feet. Wal-Mart Supercenters stock everything a Wal-Mart discount store does, and includes a full-service supermarket. Wal-Mart Supercenters vary in size from 98,000 to 261,000 square feet, with an average of about 197,000 square feet. Wal-Mart has displayed exceptional growth over the past decade and its AA S&P investment grade credit rating carries strong appeal for real estate investors.

Wal-Mart stores are rare investments on the net lease market with the transaction size, acreage and square footage of the investment (much larger on all counts than the typical netlease property) appealing to a more select group of investors. Big annual rents and relatively low selling cap rates means the typical net lease Wal-Mart transaction is over $10mm. The selling cap rate is often in the low 6's to high 7's depending on lease structure and remaining term.

Pros:

• Corporate guaranteed, investment credit.
• High visibility virtually creating a new downtown wherever it opens.
• Typically low rent per square foot.
• Low recourse and low interest rates often available.

Cons:

• Flat rental rate, minimal escalations
• Large footprint poses re-lease problems should the tenant relocate.