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Big Business & Small Towns

Posted by archifCLICarchive from National - Published on 21/06/2010 at 15:37
1 comments » - Tagged as Culture, Food & Drink, Topical

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It seems that today, it’s difficult to go more than a few hours without encountering a multi-million pound corporation of some shape or form.

I’m lovin’ it
Every little helps
The future's bright - the future's Orange
I'd rather have a bowl of Coco Pops

All instantly recognisable slogans that we are repeatedly accosted with on a daily basis. With a Starbucks, Tesco, Asda or McDonald's now on almost every high street, it seems big businesses really are big business.

But what impact is this having on local shops and businesses? How do they stand up to the major players?

Take McDonald's for instance. With over 31,000 restaurants worldwide, operating in more than 119 countries over six continents and serving more than 47 million customers around the world every day, this is without doubt a brand dominating the food market. Or Starbucks, the largest coffeehouse company in the world with an astounding 17,743 stores over 49 countries. With this scale of commercialisation, it’s no wonder smaller businesses are struggling to compete with these global enterprises.

One advantage the big shots have over smaller shops? Branding.

Branding

Almost everyone is familiar with the Golden Arches of McDonald's or the Nike Swoosh, and this is mostly down to advertising. The logos and slogans of the respective corporations are constantly allowed to stream into our subconscious through TV adverts, billboards etc. This clever use of subtle integration into our everyday lives, works to persuade us to choose their business or chain over other independent providers. 

Advertising also allows these companies to target key potential consumer groups such as us - children and young people. The larger businesses are more than aware that we, as a market, hold significant command over our parents, and have the power to pressure them into choosing their shop or product over others. Also, branding allows such companies to market bland or average products as the ‘healthy’, cheaper or more convenient option. All of these factors combine and work to persuade more people to choose their corporation over smaller, independent businesses.

With approximately 280 small companies going out of business every week, it’s becoming increasingly clear that small scale shops just can’t compete with such a level of daily infiltration. Without lots of money for advertising and rising rent for prime position units, big businesses are often able to buy these shop owners out of their local positions. The massive brand recognition of global corporations and sheer volume of stores worldwide, importantly allows people to visit the same ‘place’ all over the world and this sense of familiarity is creating a new ‘local business’- one that is local wherever you are in the world.

As these super-brands continue to suck the culture out of towns and cities all over the world, the idea of every street we walk down, from Cardiff to Chicago, looking the same is looking increasingly closer.

Another major issue with such big corporations is the exploitation of the vulnerable. The food offered by many larger food businesses is packed with fats and sugar in order to make them cheaper and more attractive (and therefore more competitive). In the long run however, this is misleading and potentially damaging to our health. The impact of these chains on the wider eco-system is also important with such mass production having an extremely damaging effect on the environment. Mistreatment of people is also significant, with underpaid and overworked staff a common theme among such chains, and the past issue of Nestl (amongst others) selling milk formula to mothers in developing countries, stating that it is the best nutritional source available for their babies, also causing great controversy.

But what do young people in Wales really think about the changing face of the UK high street? Are we really bothered by the disappearance of the local businesses? And do we in fact prefer the corporations dominating our towns and cities to traditional shops or services?

Penarth

I went to Penarth, a small town in South Wales that recently welcomed (or not) a Starbucks, Tesco Express, Sainsbury’s and Ocho Lounge (part of the ‘Lounge’ corporation) to the area, to see for myself the impact of the new arrivals to the high street, as well as discovering young people’s opinions on the changes.

One 14-year-old girl who lived in the area said; “I think it’s great that we have a Starbucks and Tesco in Penarth now! Starbucks is like a meeting place for young people and I can’t imagine going back to not having one here.”

Although it seemed these changes were popular with many young people, not everyone agreed, with one 17-year-old boy also from Penarth pointing out; “Penarth used to be unique but now it’s just like a mini Cardiff. There’s no choice any more for people who don’t like the new chains.”

Money = Power

So who really runs the shopping ‘industry’ of our towns and cities? 

With big businesses comes big money. The power and influence over our everyday lives this provides such corporations with is massive. One by one, independent businesses are being taken over by the big boys. Where culture and variety used to thrive, diversity had been swapped for uniformity. Gradually, local coffee shops, cafs and corner shops are being replaced by bigger brands.

So think before you shop - who are you really supporting when buying your next skinny latt; powerful and insatiable executives or local businesspeople with a passion for enterprise and a history within the community? Just remember - the more money we spend then the more power the business gets! Who would you rather have that power?

IMAGES: monkeyc.net & hugovk

1 CommentPost a comment

Scattered

Scattered

Commented 71 months ago - 21st June 2010 - 16:45pm

@Biscuits: Your local cafe must be very expensive if a coffee costs more than in Starbucks! ;0) You make a valid point though - it's difficult to be faithful to local produce when you're watching the pennies. The important thing to remember is we have a choice, and it's up to you where you spend your money, but it's good to have an idea where your £££s are going.

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