Quote:
Originally Posted by sky_nh
Sadly, times change and retailers need to change with them. Back in the day most women did not work and there was time to get to the store during the day. Now, most women work in order to allow us to make ends meet. In the meantime, many local retailers have not changed their hours to reflect the new reality.
I teach graduate marketing and advertising classes. Every term I ask my students about local retailers and what they can do to survive in a changing marketing landscape. Most of these "kids" have grown up shopping online, checking out products and pricing online, and expecting 24/7 convenience.
For most of them local retailers don't have a clue, are stuck in the past, and try to make consumers feel guilty because they shop in chain stores and online. They don't use modern communications tools like social media, email marketing, and web sites to reach out to current customers and win new customers. That's not the way to win someone's business.
It's sad to think that the days of the mom and pop local store could be gone forever. I hope not.
Sky
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This may go a little off subject but if you stick with my post, you'll get my point...
I've also worked in marketing and public relations. I understand your point, but the long-term effects of buying foreign and from the big box stores has an impact on the economy that goes far beyond keeping money from the mom and pop local store.
Well, most of the big box stores have policies on the availabily of healthcare for their workers based on a certain number of hours the worker average each week but then they schedule the workers so that they don't qualify for the healthcare. What happens? Those folks have to apply for Medicaid (they're paid so little that they do qualify) or other healthcare coverage assistance, and so who foots that bill? Joe Taxpayer. I've seen this scenario play out on both levels - both as an employee of one of those big box stores years ago and now in my role in healthcare.
So, not only are you helping overseas companies profit hugely (read: mostly China) but you're supporting a bad business practice that needs to be recognized as such. I don't wish for this to turn into a political comment by any means - I'm sharing my "beef" with this practice...
On the flip side of this, I see many "homegrown" stores and businesses that are mom-and-pop or company owned that have become huge successes - I think a combination of great customer service (l.i.s.t.e.n. to the customer) and a web presence are key for me and many of us Gen-X'ers who are about to hit the big four-oh (...and up).
