Ways to improve large surfaces: the good, the bad and the ugly
Walmart clearly leads the pack of big box stores that make money, but the global company is not alone. Kroeger, Target and Walgreen appear next on a recent online list of the TOP 100 RETAILERS for 2012. Even West Sacramento, California-based Raley’s supermarket chain makes this list, albeit last. Today it is almost impossible to avoid shopping in giant stores. However, most of us have heard of unfair labor practices, harm to local businesses, overseas sweatshop suppliers, etc. What are some ways to change these harmful practices so widespread in our global economy? There are good methods, bad methods, and super ugly methods to consider.
First and perhaps best is when people find out about family businesses within a five mile radius of their homes or workplaces. This may mean asking friends and neighbors for recommendations. It may mean driving through shopping mall parking lots to identify exactly what is on offer there. It may mean looking in the yellow pages, in print or online, under the category of needed and wanted items.
Another way to identify outlets that are alternatives to big box stores is to Google for specific items, but be sure to include your location before the name of what you’re buying, and then look at the closest stores listed on the list. google maps. For example, I had passed a small local Bible store many times, but it had not occurred to me to shop there. Luckily, when I wanted to find an Advent candle wreath for a Christmas gift, I put the name of my city first and this little shop appeared on my Google screen.
It’s also good to know about farmers markets in your area, especially as we head into spring weather. Googling the name of your location vs. “farmers market” should bring up a list of nearby places to buy fresh produce, meats, and many other products offered by independent local and regional businesses.
Comparing prices between a large store and a small business can be helpful. One way to start this may be to keep track of the prices of the items you buy most frequently. Then, when you have time, find out the price of those items at a small store near you. If there is a small difference, consider the extra few cents as your investment in supporting a strong local economy. If a significant difference in prices appears, perhaps talk to the small shop owner to see if they can offer a special offer or make some other competitive adjustment. Also, some small markets like Sunrise Natural Foods in Northern California have discount days and offer up to 20 percent off on those days.
Finally, by focusing on specifically improving the business practices of big box stores, picketing and other informational actions can raise awareness of troublesome issues, as can posts on social media such as Facebook and Twitter. As long as these methods remain peaceful and courteous, there is no harm and no fault. Unfortunately, there have been some incidents of violence against large stores, such as bomb threats in the summer of 2012.* The sooner the retail giants improve their practices, the sooner this danger will pass.
However, at times ugly methods have been used against global corporate giants, speaking fictitiously. These killer methods can help readers symbolically vent their frustrations or even energize themselves to take some of the good deeds mentioned above in the direction of improving big box stores and, along with them, our global economy.
*88 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/30/bomb-threats-shut-midwest_n_1718907.html