Big vs little

I have written before about my lack of understanding of some of the basic assumptions of the Western business world. Ignorance tends to result in a desire to challenge things [ever listen to phone-in programs?] and I am no exception. Some recent experiences have led me to think about this matter again.

Where do you buy stuff from? The answer to that will depend upon your lifestyle and where you live, but, for most people in the Western world, the answer will be some combination of shops and the Internet. Putting aside online shopping, even though I am a very enthusiastic Internet shopper myself, I want to consider the choice of businesses that we have, from which to make purchases, and how we decide between them …

For most of us, the location where we choose to live is a compromise, driven by numerous factors, including economic, logistical and aesthetic. Some people prefer to live in the country and accept that access to many resources requires a drive in the car. Others like the bustle of a big city, where a car may be an encumbrance. Some years ago, I realized that I am at home in a small town – somewhere less impersonal than a big city, but not in the middle of nowhere. I moved to my current house about 4 months ago and it fits my needs almost perfectly. Within walking distance I have just about everything that I need: theater, cinema, library, railway station, wide open spaces and, of course, shops. A few steps away, the shops can readily supply my everyday needs. A slightly longer walk gives access to almost anything else. But how do I decide which shops to use?

I do find myself in a quandary. The supermarkets, which are mostly national or international chains, offer a very wide choice of product, high quality items if you want them, good prices and a very efficient shopping environment with long opening hours. The one nearest to my house is actually a modest sized Co-Op, where the staff are friendly and I know they are not worshiping their shareholders at the customers’ expense. But I still feel that I should use the smaller stores, as I would be sad to see them disappear. The fruit and vegetable shop is always a pleasure to visit, with excellent fresh, mostly local, produce. I always have a pleasant conversation with the owners. But they cost more. And I am often the only customer. I am not optimistic about their future. The butcher’s is a similar story, along with quite a few other small businesses that are, I believe, just hanging on by a thread. Am I being nostalgic about a golden age [that never really existed], where shopping was a rewarding social activity and everyone felt a sense of ownership for these small stores? Or should I just accept that we live in the 21st Century and move on with the times? I am going to continue to enjoy having the choice and carry on using the small local shops, as much as I can, and use the supermarket to fill in the gaps.

I ran into the same problem recently in a different context. I wanted some work done on my house – replacing old, draughty, environmentally-unfriendly windows. I had a choice: I could use a large national company or a small local firm. The national company tell me that they are unequivocally the best, because they have the resources to be so. They say that they have been around for many years and are likely to stay in business, and be there to support me, for many more. They say that a local company may be here today, but gone tomorrow. Hence they can charge a bit more and are rather inflexible about their installation schedules. The local guy is indeed cheaper. He seems to know his product rather better that the salesman from the national. They can do the installation in a way that suits me. Their office is a mile away, so, if I need support, they can easily drop by. They were also recommended by a friend, who has just had some windows done. This is quite a large purchasing decision – I am spending more than I last paid for a new car – so I have deliberated extensively. The local guy is getting my business. Have I made the right choice?