Recently aired on the ABC's 'insight' was a programe on retail spending.

Unfortunately I missed the first half but it has long been an interest of mine so how do you all think about it.

The minister for retail association says that the 'majors' are one the this counties largest employers and, that we simply can't do without them.

In actual fact, the majors do quite the opp.

For a small retailer to take the same dollars as the majors they would require many more staff.

An average meat section in a supermarket, one that turns over $1millon per week, takes about $120,000 per week in meat sales and, employs about 6 staff. Whereas a retail butchers taking this amount of dollars employs closer to 12 staff.

Also, the profits would better benefit the 'local communities' where small retailers do business. Mainly due to the fact that most small bussiness owner's children go to schools and sporting events within their community.

Also, most small businesses enguage accountants and book keepers, who also employ staff, while the majors tend to have their own internal proffesionals.

So, can we do without the majors and go back to the way things were in the 70's?

If we did, would this benefit us or make the situation worse?

The evolution of retail. You won't stop it.
Less staff cheaper goods.
Remember the demise of the corner store, people do adjust.
You can not swim against the stream.
Loads of goods bought direct online, who knows where that will end up.
No different than a mobile mechanic or hairdresser. These people would not survive if the consumer dont want the convenience of these services.
Whether it be good in the short term only time will tell.
Mobile slaughter and dressing of farmed stock is on the go, buy direct from the farm.
It's evolution in the making.

Desmond, while I agree with what you are saying, my question still remains, how can we sustain the level of lifestyle we have, while at the same time continue to cut jobs.

The majors now control hardware, the pubs, they have their own credit cards and banking, they are trying for chemists. When and where are we going to see a government that will have the balls to do something about this.

Do you remember going into your local hardware with you dad and the owners saying, hi mate. Cause the next generation won't.

We have a rapidly growing population, combined with the ever searching for a more efficient way to do business and this will, sooner rather than latter, bring us undone.