Wal-Mart at Risk in a Recovery, Poll Says

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- As the economy recovers, Wal-Mart Stores(WMT Quote), a standout during the recession, is most vulnerable to losing its regal status.

That's the assessment, at least, of TheStreet's weekly retail poll, in which 26.8% of respondents say Wal-Mart will have the hardest time succeeding when consumer spending returns.

The discount behemoth has been able to lure shoppers with prices that just seem to keep getting lower -- a shrewd strategy for these uncertain times. As a result, prior to discontinuing reporting monthly sales figures back in May, it had posted 24 consecutive months of positive sales.

However, in the third-quarter, those sales began to reveal some weakness. While profit rose 3.2% to $3.24 billion, or 84 cents per share, same-store sales slipped 0.4%.

Ross Stores(ROST Quote) ranked as the retailer second-most likely to feel a pinch, with 20.1% of the vote.

The off-pricer has taken advantage of consolidation and bankruptcy in the retail sector during the Great Recession, particularly the closing of Mervyn's.