High fuel prices hurt – but not equally for Walmart and Target

An analysis by Reuters shows that Walmart Inc gets a break – and Target Corp is getting hurt – by where their stores are clustered. Walmart stores are concentrated in states where gas and diesel prices are below the national average

For Walmart and Target, location matters – especially when it comes to transportation costs.

An analysis by Reuters shows that Walmart Inc gets a break – and Target Corp is getting hurt – by where their stores are clustered. High oil prices - $117 for a barrel of benchmark U.S. crude CLc1 on Thursday - impose extra costs everywhere, but the impact varies wildly by state. The per-gallon price for diesel fuel that powers highway transport was 29% more expensive in the priciest state than the lowest-cost state, according to AAA data on May 20.