Quote:
Originally Posted by csbvan
I would not be surprised if Coronavirus is the impetus for the permanent closure of a lot of big-box/large-format retail chains. I think that they were already in a death spiral, Amazon doesn't always replace the experience of small independent shops and boutiques, but it completely nullifies the need for big box stores. I am guessing that the Coronavirus shutdown will simply accelerate their demise.
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It’s hard to say. Large cities with vibrant downtowns like Vancouver and Toronto have a lot of these independent boutiques, but big box chain retail is pretty much all we have in smaller cities and in suburban areas. There are exceptions, of course.
Coffee shops are an example of this. People in big cities love to support the plethora of independent coffee shops that these cities have (as do I). These simply don’t exist in smaller communities and in suburban areas; Tim Hortons is often the only coffee shop around. Sometimes Starbucks, McDonald’s, or more rarely, Second Cup will show up.
Of course on the flip side, this could create new opportunities for local independent businesses in smaller cities and suburbs. But it may not be economical for an independent clothing store to open in a power centre in London. And I can’t see an independent coffee shop succeeding in London outside of a couple specific neighbourhoods.