In an exclusive interview with NY1, a high-level executive for Wal-Mart confirmed Tuesday that the retail giant is exploring opportunities to bring their big box stores to New York City, but says the corporate retailer has not settled on a specific location within the five boroughs.

Wal-Mart's national director of community affairs, Steven Restivo, has been in the news lately over rumors that the superstore is planning to open an outlet in the newly built Gateway complex in East New York, Brooklyn. That is a move that could allow Wal-Mart to bypass City Council zoning approval for bringing the stores to the city.

Rumors of the possible move to Brooklyn have already brought protests from unions and small business leaders.

Restivo says that despite the fact that there is not a Wal-Mart store in the five boroughs, many New York City residents are already avid Wal-Mart shoppers. In fact, he says that New York City is the number one market in the country for Walmart.com, the company's online arm.

City Council Speaker Christine Quinn has been a vocal opponent of bringing Wal-Mart into the city, and the council is set to hold hearings next week on the effects on small business if Wal-Mart is allowed to open stores here.

Restivo says that Wal-Mart has not decided if it will participate in those hearing, but says the company is willing to talk to anyone in the community about their concerns.

"My understanding about the hearing though is that it is a hypothetical exercise. We don't have a store or an announced project anywhere in the five boroughs...," said Restivo. "I think it is fair to say that we are evaluating lots of opportunities across all five boroughs -- small medium and large store formats -- but we haven't announced any specific project."

Finally, Restivo did confirm that Wal-Mart has been negotiating with some buildings trade unions to work out a deal to build and renovate outlets using union labor if the company does come to New York City.

Such an arrangement would likely cause a split within the labor movement, since the retail worker unions are steadfastly opposed to Wal-Mart.