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That's true. But I'd say the problem is us. We want the perks of local business, but too often they're an afterthought. Or we simply choose convenience. Saving
by chiefalchemist 6y ago
That's true. But I'd say the problem is us. We want the perks of local business, but too often they're an afterthought. Or we simply choose convenience. Saving a couple dollars on Amazon is no savings at all, if we eventually lose things we love (e.g., local bookstore). But try selling that to someone who is has a religiosly deep relationship with their Prime membership and is convinced they're too busy to fit the local ____ store in. The Hustle Culture mentality has real side effects.
That said, as someone who did (i.e., owner) B&M retail for 10 years, local business need to be more available. Closing at 6.00 pm every day limits your audience. Being open later one or two evenings is a game changer. _If_ you are focused on your customers and their needs.
Or, if your store is in a small town and you drive to your shop, don't take up prime parking spots. Yes, I've seen this done. "Business is slow." Gee, I wonder why.
Don't get me wrong. I'm not an Amazon supporter. They are my vendor or last choice. That said, it's sad how often I get to that last choice so quickly (e.g., Powell's website is marginal at best).
- kiba 6y agoLocal businesses would stay open if they don't have to pay absurd rents, or that vacant storefronts are actually available for rent.
- chiefalchemist 6y agoSo they close early to do less business? And that pays the rent?? So instead of being able to catch people coming home from work, the local biz ignores those people? So those people can go home and buy from Amazon?
- michaelt 6y agoI think he means "stay open" as in "not go out of business" rather than "extend opening hours"
- fiblye 6y agoConvenience is definitely important, which is why mixed zoning is helpful. Instead of digging through amazon trying to find the one item that isn’t fake, hoping it’s what I actually want or need, needing to be home at the right time to sign for the package, and waiting for delivery, I could just make a 5 minute trip and hold the item in my hands before buying it. Local businesses still mostly thrive in cities with mixed zoning despite the presence of online businesses. Some things do get crushed (small electronics stores just can’t possibly match the variety and endlessly cycled out stock of the newest items online), but there’s space for some things.
- chiefalchemist 6y agoThere's definitely space. But it also requires creativity, and even the big chains fail. There's an Eastern Mountain Sports near me. It's an anchor in a small "boutique" mall. Not a single screen in the whole store. Now how are you going to capture the interest and imagination of the casual walk-through traffic? With racks of cookie-cutter clothing? B&M certainly isn't easy. What is? But having done B&M and ecomm, B&M has something online does not...presences. Mind you, that's not a plus ATM but pre-C19 very few were fully exploiting that unique asset. And yet they cry about inline? As if boring and generic will win over convenience??