Due to the development and rapid expansion of supermarkets in some countries, many small, local businesses are unable to compete. Some people think that the closure of local businesses will bring about the death of local communities. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
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There has recently been a fierce international competition between local stores and modern shopping malls. The mass-scaled development of shopping centers has eclipsed a multitude of local shops in many areas of the world. This fosters a belief among some people that the decimation of local businesses will result in the corresponding disappearance of local societies. This essay will argue why small, local businesses and local communities will sustain despite some potential risks from the high penetration of supermarkets.
First, local stores will not be completely eradicated because there is a majority of people will continue to shop at these places thanks to its outstanding convenience. This competitive advantage is brought from its proximity to customers’ houses which could not be provided by the centralized giant shopping malls. As such, it would take significantly less time for guests to frequent on a regular basis. For instance, a great number of the locals in my neighborhood shop at the nearby stores within their walking distance for their daily grocery and fresh meat consumption. Thus, local stores clearly save a huge amount of transportation time for local consumers, and that is a decisive factor in retaining customers.
Further, local communities would continue to live on even if local businesses petered out. This is because there are other places, not limited to local shops, for local activities to carry on. Public parks, for example, are greatly instrumental in maintaining mutual information exchange thanks to its open context. Many local inhabitants meet here daily not only for exercises but also for daily conversation and that is definitely helpful in cementing the relationships of the communities. Therefore, the closure of local businesses, if took place, would not take a real toll on the sustainable development of communities.
In conclusion, this essay argues that people who think that local businesses and local communities will be completely eradicated by the aggressive expansion of supermarkets have a flawed belief. In my opinion, local stores have its own competitive advantage to survive and local communities have other pillars of sustainability.