There was a time in the UK where many small grocery shops were owned and run by Asian families. They would typically be open everyday 'till late. The economics

There was a time in the UK where many small grocery shops were owned and run by Asian families. They would typically be open everyday 'till late. The economics were simple, everyone in the family worked for free and there were no benefits, sick pay or everyday rules to worry about. Eventually the big grocery chains took over because it was easy to open up a prime local site and run it at a loss for as long as it took. Any stubborn competition remaining could easily be brought to the attention of the authorities. Some of those Asian shopkeepers became quite successful though which, I think, goes to show that every kind of business has its golden era where anything is possible but nothing lasts forever.