| People are as conscious as ever these days | | | | stake in the products sold, and a much less |
| about how they spend their hard-earned money. | | | | stressful retail experience. Retailers who are able |
| Often, they know they can stop by a "big box" | | | | to get to know their customers are more flexible |
| store, find what they like on a shelf, purchase it, | | | | about little things like letting you bring your dog |
| and go home. While this can be convenient and | | | | into the store with you instead of having to leave |
| can save money, neither convenience nor savings | | | | him in the car. These smaller retailers have a |
| are inevitable. | | | | much greater connection with their customers, |
| With retailers cutting back staff and closing | | | | and are often able to tailor their selections to the |
| stores, you very well might show up at a big box | | | | local tastes, whereas giant stores are not. |
| retailer and wander around in vain, trying to find | | | | One of the best reasons to shop smaller retailers |
| someone to help you find merchandise. A number | | | | is that they often concentrate on a category of |
| of big box stores have replaced commissioned | | | | items (such as recreational equipment, or |
| sales staff with hourly employees who, without | | | | products for pets) and have an extensive |
| the incentive of commissions, are not necessarily | | | | knowledge of that niche. They may not have as |
| motivated to learn about the products the store | | | | broad a variety of goods as your local big box |
| sells. | | | | store, but they make up for it in depth of |
| Prices at big box stores are not necessarily the | | | | product, often with items that cannot be found at |
| best either. The savings may be as small as a | | | | other local merchants, including the big guys. |
| few cents, which is hardly worth your time if you | | | | But perhaps the best reason to choose a small |
| have trouble finding merchandise or finding an | | | | retailer over a large one is the personal attention |
| open cash register. | | | | you get at boutiques and local small stores, |
| Small retailers can be great places to shop, even | | | | particularly if you're a repeat customer. |
| in a recession. They have the luxury of being | | | | Sometimes you'll find out about upcoming sales in |
| more creative with the merchandise they offer | | | | advance, or a salesperson who knows your taste |
| and have some discretion over pricing too due to | | | | may be able to suggest something that will suit |
| low overhead costs. And honestly: on the drive | | | | you when you're unsure. And if you do have to |
| home from a long day at work, would you rather | | | | stop by on the way home from the office, |
| stop by an enormous discounter to pick up the | | | | there's simply no big box discount comparable to |
| loaf of Italian bread you need for dinner, or would | | | | the feeling of being greeted by name by |
| you rather stop at a local bakery? | | | | someone who is genuinely happy to see you in |
| Often the few cents you'll save at a mega-retailer | | | | their store. You can't put a price on that kind of |
| are more than made up for by a pleasant | | | | service! |
| environment, store employees who have a direct | | | | |