2 ms·
> Consolidation gives you consistency, network effects, and economies of scale. But it also gives you monocultures, stagnation, and overfitting. I very much en
by SkyPuncher 5y ago
> Consolidation gives you consistency, network effects, and economies of scale. But it also gives you monocultures, stagnation, and overfitting.
I very much enjoy the fact that I can go to nearly any city in America and they'll have a few dozen well-known stores with recognizable product.
There are certainly bad forms of consolidation, but it's easy to overlook the good forms.
- Red_Leaves_Flyy 5y agoI disagree. I prefer the variety of different stores. I prefer the unique floor plans, esthetics, and in house products. I don’t like having Walmart, target, Dunkin, and Starbucks in every city I go to. I may be near poor but I go out of my way to avoid big box stores whenever and wherever I can. I like stores that have been run by the same owner or manager for decades. I’ve seen multiple local shops balloon into chains and in every single case their service, product quality, and in store experience got markedly worse. If I’m going to support Big Box Store then I’m going to nickel and dime every transaction I make with them because that’s how they treat me, their customer. Take the personality out of the experience and all that’s left is the transaction, no loyalty, no good feelings, just the exchange of cash for product. No amount of Twitter wokeisms, virtue signaling, or advertising will replace their dehumanization.