Small retailers are pushing it up hill big time.

With online shopping gaining strength and the apparent unchecked onslaught from the big boys, I am afraid the writing is on the wall.

Now there are those who simply say, when one falls another will take their place.

Well that proves you have not been in small retail recently.

Gone are the days of a simple two page rental agreement, replaced by a 50 page legal document that many lawyers can't even get their heads around.

Meanwhile, our governments sit back and watch the relentless rise and rise of the big two.

I saw the light and pulled the pin after 23 years, pity, had I done that six years earlier I would be half a million better off, but that's life, it's only money I say.

But from an industry experts point of view, I can assure you, if we don't start supporting these small retailers, they will be gone for ever, as compliance issues alone will make it too hard to return.

I say, support them, or loose them, the choice is ours.

Emotional point of view Rechtub.
And some what biased, why do people become small business men and women.
I did early in life for satisfaction, but profit most of all.
My 3 basics, sell the best quality at the best price, never take orders you could not fill within a few weeks.
Is it the duty of the customer or the business to provide the profits.
Some of my many customers put mark ups of 350% on my product, others 125% and sold out much faster.
The market place is not compulsory, for one side or the other.
Both want value for money and quality, so it will always be online is here to stay.
Small business still in a different shop front.

Yes I agree rehctub, we are loosing them at a rate of knots around here. The big 2 have got the thing under control, & will eliminate most competition in time.

Of course we get what we deserve. If we are too lazy, or busy to shop around, they will take advantage of us every time.

I used to take a couple of eskies when shopping, so I could buy stuff over the longer time it takes to go from shop to shop. As walking too far, & climbing in & out of cars has become harder, I have succumbed to the one shop fits all syndrome.

I know I get better meat from the butcher. I know the fruit shop has better, & fresher fruit, & the people at the chemist down the road are really nice, but it is easy to park once, do a quick circuit of one shop, & get the hell out of town as quickly as possible.

So I will have no one but myself to blame, when we have no small retailers to "keep the bastards honest" as the saying goes.

Dear rehctub,

I agree with you - we definitely need to support
small retailers. I notice the difference in quality
when I buy fruit from my local green-grocer. When
I buy meat from my local butcher (a pork scotch or
beef tenderloin is divine) or when I go to my
local deli - for cold cuts (superb), and home-made
sausages that the man specialises in (yum). Even
certain home-made breads (sour dough et cetera) don't
taste like cardboard when bought from my special
bakery. Of course shopping takes longer - and probably
is more expensive - but quality-wise it certainly is
worth it - as my family testifies. There is a big
difference in taste. And I've got to say - you can't beat
locally grown produce - especially in fruit and veg.

Retail has just had its best 3 months for quite a while. Except qld.
Online shopping is not going to go away.
That is the way it is.
Butchers are selling direct, vegetables direct from farmers markets.
It's a cost cutting exercise.
Small time strip shopping is in decline, people prefer to go to the malls to get the lot without moving your car.
Retailers will not be supported, just like people will not support bye AU, its a matter of cost.

Rehctub, just because somebody hangs their shingle out, does not
mean that they are worthy of support. Don't blame me if they are
overpaying for rent etc, perhaps they need a new marketing model.

So I support any small retailers who are worth supporting. Those
that give me good service, value for money and don't try to rip
me off with huge margins.

Cutting overheads is crucial in business and according to your model,
you seem to think that consumers should just wear bad retailing.

Sorry, Coles provide a much better deal and even send me a dividend
cheque.