Research Paper
Kevin Howlett ITT Tech Institute Mr. Kepner ENG 1320: Grammar and Comp
Research Paper
Mega Retailers vs. Moms and Pops
Do mega retailers have a major impact on small town businesses? When global giants such as Wal-Mart or Lowes move into a town, are the smaller and family owned businesses forced out of business? These are a few questions many people have asked. Research has been conducted to evaluate these large retailers impact on communities across America. Wal-Mart, one of the biggest corporate giants, has “over 67 billion in annual sales, and more than 2,000 stores”, continues their push on rural communities, opening stores “almost every other day” across the United States. (Norman, 1994, pg 418) Are these mega retailers a convenience that most people want or is it important that we keep our rural communities to preserve small town living. Either way, if someone was to look at the situation, there would be many pros and cons for each side of the argument.
First, let me begin with the positive impacts large corporations have on a community. Mega retailers help cities grow by providing jobs, with competitive wages and benefits, such as health insurance or retirement plans. They increase commercial and residential land values in local communities. Large retailers provide revenue to local governments through taxes. “Super centers not only brings lower prices” to local communities “but through competition reduce prices of competing stores” as well. (Harris, 2006, p 1311) This helps with the cost of living in an area. Rural communities tend to have higher prices on merchandise than metropolitan areas. Everywhere you look, whether it is in a major metropolitan area or small town community, you see global giants of industry, from commercial to fast food. These retailers are shaping how business is done in today’s society. As cities around the world grow, a company’s success or failure will be determined by how they can adapt to changes in
Research Paper
Mega Retailers vs. Moms and Pops
Do mega retailers have a major impact on small town businesses? When global giants such as Wal-Mart or Lowes move into a town, are the smaller and family owned businesses forced out of business? These are a few questions many people have asked. Research has been conducted to evaluate these large retailers impact on communities across America. Wal-Mart, one of the biggest corporate giants, has “over 67 billion in annual sales, and more than 2,000 stores”, continues their push on rural communities, opening stores “almost every other day” across the United States. (Norman, 1994, pg 418) Are these mega retailers a convenience that most people want or is it important that we keep our rural communities to preserve small town living. Either way, if someone was to look at the situation, there would be many pros and cons for each side of the argument.
First, let me begin with the positive impacts large corporations have on a community. Mega retailers help cities grow by providing jobs, with competitive wages and benefits, such as health insurance or retirement plans. They increase commercial and residential land values in local communities. Large retailers provide revenue to local governments through taxes. “Super centers not only brings lower prices” to local communities “but through competition reduce prices of competing stores” as well. (Harris, 2006, p 1311) This helps with the cost of living in an area. Rural communities tend to have higher prices on merchandise than metropolitan areas. Everywhere you look, whether it is in a major metropolitan area or small town community, you see global giants of industry, from commercial to fast food. These retailers are shaping how business is done in today’s society. As cities around the world grow, a company’s success or failure will be determined by how they can adapt to changes in
References: Norman, A. (1994). Eight Ways to Stop the Store. Nation, 258(12), 418. Retrieved from http://se Arch.ebscohost.com.proxy.itt-tech.edu/login.aspx?direct=truedb=afh&AN=9404157674