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I don't think the business model of web sales delivered to your door, or other convenient location, is objectionable per se, but I do think the business practices of some of companies are.
I don't think it's objectionable in principle, either. There will always be specialist goods that it wouldn't be worth a local shop's while to stock, which it is then appropriate to order from far away--although I do mourn a couple of shops that simply stocked everything. For instance, there used to be an electrical shop in Stamford Hill that was like that. It had a very old interior and was stuffed to the gunwhales with stock going back decades. The old boy who ran it seemed to be able to answer every question. Mine were usually very simple, but I also used to listen to others asking more difficult things while I waited. I always got exactly what I wanted there. That shop didn't close because of the Internet (it closed about 15 years ago, I think), but probably because he didn't find a successor before he retired. It's just so valuable to have experts like this locally.
I agree, the business models of these massively-financed companies are just rotten. I think the vast majority of things should be available reasonably locally, and that that isn't like asking for the moon on a stick.
Local distribution can be quite efficient in urban areas, especially compared to loads of people driving to out of town shopping centres.
Yes, although interestingly, many out-of-town centres are not doing very well at the moment. It seems as if their business model has had its day in many cases.
It's not so much that I can't find this stuff elsewhere (albeit less conveniently), it's the social interaction, the little bit of banter, bumping into friends and neighbours in the queue.
The internet can't replace that.
Absolutely.
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Oliver Schick
I don't think the business model of web sales delivered to your door, or other convenient location, is objectionable per se, but I do think the business practices of some of companies are.
Local distribution can be quite efficient in urban areas, especially compared to loads of people driving to out of town shopping centres.
I do agree absolutely that communities suffer when local shops go. I've been in Walthamstow for over 20 years.
Ditchfields toy shop - bought my kids first bikes there, closed about 5 years ago;
East London Sausage company - christmas turkeys, kids grew up eating their sausages, used to get a given a Panettonne by Mick most Christmas's, closed last year;
Davies - as above, closing now.
It's not so much that I can't find this stuff elsewhere (albeit less conveniently), it's the social interaction, the little bit of banter, bumping into friends and neighbours in the queue.
The internet can't replace that.