3 ms·

I think the big part is affluence full stop. “Discretionary” spending tends to go to go to small businesses in larger proportions while big corporations get the

by netcan 12y ago

I think the big part is affluence full stop. “Discretionary” spending tends to go to go to small businesses in larger proportions while big corporations get the non discretionary stuff. Niche products like those mentioned. Services (cleaning restaurants). Entertainments services. Those all lend well to smaller businesses. More rich people. More niche products and fun services. A middle class family spend most of their money on low cost brands at the supermarket supermarket, department store clothes and furniture, transport, accommodation, etc. Housing employs a lot of small businesses but apart from that, most of it goes to the big boys. Add 50% to their income and you’ll probably see more restaurants, craft products and such. Mass production, mass appeal is the domain of large company.

morgante 12y ago
> I think the big part is affluence full stop. I don't know about that. Most luxury spending I see goes towards huge brands (fashion labels, air travel, etc.), whereas necessities can go to small businesses. I'd probably never buy my clothes at a random boutique, but I might pick up a lightbulb at the corner hardware store.
- blumkvist 12y ago
  I think you misunderstand what a small business is. A corner hardware store is a micro company. For most intents and purposes a small business is between 10 and 50 employees and/or between 10 and 50 million in annual revenue. In the US the Small Business Administration will classify most of the companies under 500 employees as a small business.
  - morgante 12y ago
    I think you're being needlessly pedantic. A corner hardware store is absolutely 100% a small business. What possible argument do you have for claiming it is not?
    - blumkvist 12y ago
      The way it is treated by tax authorities and the administration. If that's not enough for you, I don't know what is.
      - morgante 12y ago
        I'm going by what nearly every normal person in the world considers a small business. For example, Wikipedia: "Typical examples include: convenience stores, other small shops (such as a bakery or delicatessen), hairdressers, tradesmen, lawyers, accountants, restaurants, guest houses, photographers, small-scale manufacturing, and online businesses, such as web design and programming, etc." If you truly believe that a corner hardware store is not a small business, please go ahead and tell that to the store. See how much they laugh at you.
        blumkvist 12y ago
        Why should I enter a store and tell them something like that? And even if I do such a bizzarity why should I care that a clerk laughs at me?
      - DanBC 12y ago
        Are you talking about an independantly owned corner hardware store? I can see your point if you're talking about a chain of stores. The definition you used does not specify minimum employee levels and I'm a bit confused why you added those minimum levels.
        blumkvist 12y ago
        Yes, a chain of such stores sounds like a small business. A single location sounds like self employment. Micro business is the legal term, at least in the EU.

by netcan 12y ago

morgante 12y ago

> I think the big part is affluence full stop. I don't know about that. Most luxury spending I see goes towards huge brands (fashion labels, air travel, etc.), whereas necessities can go to small businesses. I'd probably never buy my clothes at a random boutique, but I might pick up a lightbulb at the corner hardware store.

blumkvist 12y ago
I think you misunderstand what a small business is. A corner hardware store is a micro company. For most intents and purposes a small business is between 10 and 50 employees and/or between 10 and 50 million in annual revenue. In the US the Small Business Administration will classify most of the companies under 500 employees as a small business.
- morgante 12y ago
  I think you're being needlessly pedantic. A corner hardware store is absolutely 100% a small business. What possible argument do you have for claiming it is not?
  - blumkvist 12y ago
    The way it is treated by tax authorities and the administration. If that's not enough for you, I don't know what is.
    - morgante 12y ago
      I'm going by what nearly every normal person in the world considers a small business. For example, Wikipedia: "Typical examples include: convenience stores, other small shops (such as a bakery or delicatessen), hairdressers, tradesmen, lawyers, accountants, restaurants, guest houses, photographers, small-scale manufacturing, and online businesses, such as web design and programming, etc." If you truly believe that a corner hardware store is not a small business, please go ahead and tell that to the store. See how much they laugh at you.
      - blumkvist 12y ago
        Why should I enter a store and tell them something like that? And even if I do such a bizzarity why should I care that a clerk laughs at me?
    - DanBC 12y ago
      Are you talking about an independantly owned corner hardware store? I can see your point if you're talking about a chain of stores. The definition you used does not specify minimum employee levels and I'm a bit confused why you added those minimum levels.
      - blumkvist 12y ago
        Yes, a chain of such stores sounds like a small business. A single location sounds like self employment. Micro business is the legal term, at least in the EU.