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Anonymous
Anonymous asked in Local BusinessesOther - Local Businesses · 2 months ago

How come businesses used to look at what other businesses are selling and not sell the same nearby but, now they cannibalise each other?

Years ago, for example, a market trader would look at what an existing market is selling and think to themselves "they're selling bananas, OK I won't also sell bananas" but now they don't do anything like that, they're not fair anymore.

Update:

No, not on my planet, anonymous, if you'd read properly I said it's not how I described anymore, it used to be.

Update 2:

Yes it is true, you think there was always large chains?

3 Answers

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  • ?
    Lv 7
    1 month ago

    Your claim isn't at all true.

    In fact, large chains have always routinely looked for their usual competitors as proof that their particular type of store will do well in the same area.  Some even do this so as to save money on their own studies for expansion, as with Target and Walmart.

    Some do it so as to poach each others' labor forces, as with the city of Detroit.

    In fact, this has gone for centuries. Ever heard the term "financial district?"  Butchers, gold smiths, leatherworkers, etc... often did this to such an extent that entire streets of some cities would be devoted to certain products. 

  • 2 months ago

    It's because everything has moved online and the rules have changed. It's a literal race to the bottom. Why shops are disappearing, not enough margin-left on any product to keep the lights on. That's why investing in a good website and a good SEO Consultant is the only way to go now!

  • Anonymous
    2 months ago

     On your planet maybe.   But I dare you go to almost any intersection (any 4 way  stop and you will find a GAS STATION ON EACH CORNER & maybe a Fast Food nearby(so almost 4 of them have a burger joint.)  Night clubs are walking distance from each other, and so are banks and lawyers and doctors. Department stores are in shopping malls so a big box store at each end.  Grocery stores are within eyesight of each other.  Churches are side by side.  Hookers are side by side. There is much more that is side by side.   Funeral homes are more spread out, though.

    That is off the top of my head.  More are together than apart.  It is still fair. FAIRER to the customer unless the stores "price fix".

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