By Brian Whitwham
Big-box retail outlets that once sat in the city’s suburbs are now dashing into the downtown core. Centretown is no exception.
Staples the Business Depot, a company with operations in the United States, United Kingdom and Germany, moved a large store into Centretown on Bank Street nine years ago.
And Rogers Video will be opening a superstore on Woodroffe Avenue on Dec. 17.
Some argue that this is a good thing since these superstores are better for product selection and consumer convenience.
Also, larger corporations have the budgets to provide merchandise at lower prices.
These companies with deep pockets can have a positive effect on the community. Rogers’ Web site reveals that it’s not shy about its support for the Children’s Hospital, the Special Olympics, Canadian Hockey and other local organizations around its outlets.
Meanwhile, many people criticize large corporations saying they worsen selection by providing mostly mainstream product lines.
The critics say big-box stores drive out the smaller businesses because they have the money needed to win any price war.
But whether the shift to big-box stores is good or bad, it’s a reality.
Many people grimaced at the prospect of Wal-Mart moving into Canada in the 1990s. But that didn’t prevent Wal-Mart from succeeding in its Northern invasion.
A brutal price war ensued with Zellers that ended with the Canadian retailer ditching its “lowest price is the law” slogan. Wal-Mart, like it or not, has shaken up the consumer retail scene leading to lower prices for consumers.
Despite all the huffing and puffing over the negative effects of big-box stores, these companies have prospered because the public supports them.
That’s how the economy works.
So perhaps the presence of these stores should be taken as a positive development.
Why not?
People naturally gravitate toward convenience and lower prices. And smaller businesses must then find ways to differentiate themselves from the one-stop superstores by finding a niche.
This is what happened with the book market. Numerous bookstores such as Octopus Books and After Stonewall have successfully differentiated themselves from the mainstream titles typically provided by Chapters.
Stephen Dale, author of Lost in the Suburbs: a Political Travel Log, says the main problem with huge retailers is that they draw the uniqueness and individuality away from the community.
No one wants to see a city completely dominated by large businesses.
If this were to happen in Ottawa, there wouldn’t be any distinction between Centretown and the suburbs.
But again, the ultimate choice lies with the consumer.
If people don’t want these businesses, they should be attending public meetings and speaking to their city councilor.
Over the holiday season, we will each have to decide where to take our business.
Many of us, in our haste will pick what is convenient and cost-efficient. That’s not a bad thing.
But people just need to remember that the next time they’re lamenting the presence of big businesses in their community.
It’s the consumers who have the final say as to what succeeds in the retail world and what doesn’t.