Both large and small businesses have their benefits. Some people have strong preferences about shopping in big name chains or small local businesses. Personally, it doesn't matter to me. If you are the place that meets my qualifications, you'll be the place I buy it.
1. Cost
2. Quality
3. How close it is to EXACTLY what I'm looking for
I think cost is the most important thing to most people. Pay is stagnant while the cost of living has risen over the last few decades. That means less money for non-essentials. It also means most people look for the cheapest version of what fits their needs. Most people have a few brands they are loyal to but otherwise it's about saving money. Sales, coupons, reward points, and/or lower actual listed price it doesn't matter.
That's one of the reasons big chains are so popular. Once every discount available is used, what you need is usually cheaper at the big chains. Of course, most of those products are made on conditions that range from less then ethical to out right abuse. But, when you are on a very tight budget, price is too important to ignore. That might not be true for all large companies, but for some, that's how they get their business.
Point: Big Chains
Okay, okay price might make a difference for Target and other companies. But what about the expensive chains like Macy's? It should be noted that Macy's has had financial trouble recently. That is precisely due to the high cost of their goods. But, that cost is because they mostly sell brand name designer products. Ralph Lauren products are impressive because of the designer brand!
Most small businesses can't afford to carry big name designer brands. A lot of small clothing shops carry cloths designed by the owner or someone the owner knows. If you're looking to impress with the brand that people recognize as being expensive, you have to go to the Macy's/ Bloomingdale's/ Newman Marcus' of the community.
Point: Big Chain
However, not everyone wants to have the "I can afford the expensive stuff" brands. A lot of true Fashionistas prefer the small businesses. That's because they are unique cloths you can do a lot with. They become pieces that you making into an outfit that is a piece of art! These are the places you can find that one thing that makes an old outfit into a new outfit. Some people like experimenting with their cloths. That's more of an option with small businesses.
Point: Small Business
Small businesses are more likely to have the potential to become a town "thing". I'll use a few in my town as an example. One place is a bagel place. These bagels are awesome! It's a small place. There isn't even room for a line. Yet most people know what to do. If you are from my town, you KNOW the place I'm talking about. We have a few bagel places. But only one is a "thing". If you are from here, you get it.
Another place is a drug store close to the middle school. It's always been a "thing" to go there after school when you're in middle school. I even have a story about this place. Most kids buy candy and a drink there each day. I was getting fat so decided to buy makeup or hair stuff instead. It was a way to be included without getting the junk food. Zach's reading tutor is at the Middle School. We still go in sometimes before tutoring. It's right after school gets out. Yup, it's still a "thing".
The last place is further up the same street the other two businesses are on. When we take our long walk after taking Zach to school, we pass by all three places. This "thing" had a celebrity who went there each morning. He's since died, but it was cool. I have talked about this store before. A friend is the granddaughter of the original owner. Remember when I talked about Dona, she got her Snapple from this place every day for a long time!
These are the non-bar versions of cheers. The places where you feel comfortable in. Like you're home. The places where you know the employees and they know you. The places where you can walk to and save gas money. We have a lot of these places in town. Including an awesome farmer's market. That's the only place I buy vase flowers! They also have yummy sushi! That's on this street too. So is the small nursery I get my flowers from. You just can't get these experiences at big chains.
Point: Small Businesses
One big argument is that big company profits got to the greedy and rich CEOs. However, the small store profits go to pay for regular bills. That's true. A neighbor of my parents has a small jewelry business in walking distance from his house. I've talked to him at home and have gone to his business. He resized my wedding rings and fixed a necklace. All were done at a reasonable price! He's not greedy or rich. He's just trying to pay the college bills for his two kids along with his mortgage.
Point: Small Business
However, it's easier to shop big businesses because they have websites you can place orders from. They also tend to sell more products so they are more likely to have what you need. Small businesses might have websites, but you can't shop online. Sometimes, online shopping is the preference or even the only option!
Point: Big Chains
As you can see, there are advantages and disadvantages to both. Everyone really has to think about what is important to them before grabbing the car keys. When it comes to quality it really depends on the store. No matter the size. The same is true for the items themselves. I mentioned looking to see how close what they have is to what I'm looking for. That's because I am a picky shopper. Because of my OCD I tend to be specific in my needs. My cloths are mostly from Kohls, JC Penny, or Lands End. But my decorations come from all over. These are the things that are dependent on what is available to you and less if the place is big or small.
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