Wal-Mart Watch, a group that monitors retailer Wal-Mart Stores , said that a national poll conducted in February and March showed that since 2005, the retailer's favorability rating has dropped to 71% from 76%.
It said that 27% of respondents reported developing a more negative opinion of Wal-Mart over the past year, compared with 11% for Target and 4% for Costco Wholesale during the same time period.
The poll found that 11 % of Wal-Mart shoppers say they have shopped at Wal-Mart less because of its business and labor practices.
The poll also found that 71% of respondents viewed the company favorably and 70% reported shopping at the store at least once a month.