General Discussion

cyberswede

(26,117 posts)

48. Good post.

Fri Nov 21, 2014, 11:44 AM

Nov 2014

Technology is what changed how consumers shop these days - Amazon was just the first company to capitalize on it.

When I was growing up, my mom did ALL her x-mas shopping with the Sears catalog (she had 8 kids at home, and didn't drive until the youngest kid was in 6th grade). I don't think she ever shopped at actual stores.

The internet (and Amazon in particular) just updated that concept and expanded its reach to more shoppers.

I'm sad that mom & pop stores aren't around any longer, but Walmart & big box stores did more to eliminate those types of businesses than Amazon, imo.

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Highlight:

Amazon Is Crushing Main Street and Threatening the Vitality of Our Communities [View all] xchrom Nov 2014 OP

Walmart already screwed Main St... yourpicturehere Nov 2014 #1

There still IS a Main Street???? nt LiberalElite Nov 2014 #2

There is, but they are not selling socks and underwear. Adrahil Nov 2014 #11

small bookstores were on the way out before Amazon geek tragedy Nov 2014 #3

It ripped through an obsolete network of small retailers whose existance insured distribution HereSince1628 Nov 2014 #6

Bezos hadn't started Amazon, it probably would have been walmart.com doing this, nt geek tragedy Nov 2014 #7

Yes, remember pre-internet Sears and JC Penney cutting catalog sales??? HereSince1628 Nov 2014 #9

Good observations. Adrahil Nov 2014 #10

I gotta say... Adrahil Nov 2014 #12

and the universe of titles is only going to grow and grow geek tragedy Nov 2014 #13

Good post. cyberswede Nov 2014 #48

They certainly were! pipi_k Nov 2014 #51

I knew it had to be Alternet or Common Dreams.... brooklynite Nov 2014 #4

I also like the idea that when I shop at Amazon, yeoman6987 Nov 2014 #30

Not surprising that Latte Neoliberals brentspeak Nov 2014 #50

1) I drink cappuccino, properly made (latte is for wimps) brooklynite Nov 2014 #64

Amazon is great for the environment. Nye Bevan Nov 2014 #5

Where I live pipi_k Nov 2014 #56

You can't order the tide to not come in. Adrahil Nov 2014 #8

Oh, like the outstanding online experience Sears offers? hatrack Nov 2014 #71

Of course not. You still have to do a good job. Adrahil Nov 2014 #74

Sears' problems, of course, approach the legendary at this point . . . hatrack Nov 2014 #79

Yeah, apparently required execs to read "Atlas Shrugs"... Adrahil Nov 2014 #80

Local businesses can still make a living if they give decent service. Vinca Nov 2014 #14

They Might Also RobinA Nov 2014 #20

A big amen to this. I also cannot count the number of times I've tried to Nay Nov 2014 #23

I should have also mentioned my last visit to a local shoe store. Vinca Nov 2014 #70

If you really want to look at what is killing brick and mortar businesses justiceischeap Nov 2014 #15

I remember a college friend owned a car audio shop in 1990 ileus Nov 2014 #19

Yeah, I think there are as many ways to kill businesses justiceischeap Nov 2014 #22

I think smartphones put the camera shop out of business tabbycat31 Nov 2014 #46

Thanks for helping to make my point :) justiceischeap Nov 2014 #52

I still have pipi_k Nov 2014 #57

cars killed the buggy business, the "dime" store killed the general store, GreatGazoo Nov 2014 #16

I think Walmart already took care of that - TBF Nov 2014 #17

+1 Blue_Tires Nov 2014 #39

How dare consumers shop how they want! TransitJohn Nov 2014 #18

When you have crazy people walking around carrying assault weapons into the stores Bandit Nov 2014 #21

oh my god n/t Scout Nov 2014 #26

lol. (nt) Inkfreak Nov 2014 #58

Online retailers, especially Amazon Ineeda Nov 2014 #24

i think i've only used amazon maybe 3 times for purchases. Scout Nov 2014 #25

funny article LOL, I like the ending the best- snooper2 Nov 2014 #27

You have it WRONG. As an e-seller let me fill you in on what is happening to people like myself. jillan Nov 2014 #28

Another week, another article like this Blue_Adept Nov 2014 #29

People decide these things. JNelson6563 Nov 2014 #31

Message auto-removed Name removed Nov 2014 #38

we liberals had to force the downtowns to do this-- librechik Nov 2014 #40

I don't think Amazon is going anywhere - but if you like having local bricks and morter stores el_bryanto Nov 2014 #32

Yes, and I heard that Video Killed the Radio Star, too. WillowTree Nov 2014 #33

And that darned horseless carriage killed the buggy whip! eom MohRokTah Nov 2014 #42

And what about pipi_k Nov 2014 #61

conveience becomes inconvenient olddots Nov 2014 #34

Get off my lawn!!! nt msanthrope Nov 2014 #35

The only thing on my Main St. is a bunch of thrift shops, lawyers, and inedible food. nt Ykcutnek Nov 2014 #36

we need a system that isn't entirely based on consuming and growth librechik Nov 2014 #37

Love my Amazon Prime. MohRokTah Nov 2014 #41

Ditto, Ditto, and Ditto. WillowTree Nov 2014 #45

Free two day shipping, yet pipi_k Nov 2014 #63

Amazon vs. Barnes and Noble XemaSab Nov 2014 #43

I personally think Amazon can coexist with Main Street tabbycat31 Nov 2014 #44

Amazon changed the way we shopped Godhumor Nov 2014 #47

Translation in Marxist terms: the bourgeoisie is killing the KingCharlemagne Nov 2014 #49

When I buy books on Amazon I usually buy used books. upaloopa Nov 2014 #53

Customers are changing as well, so don't blame Amazon... ReverendDeuce Nov 2014 #54

Between Amazon and WalMart, small business has been hurt badly. Paper Roses Nov 2014 #55

Alternate news: 1960's Bell Telephone says cell phones are killing their business. L0oniX Nov 2014 #59

People don't give a shit about small business PERIOD taught_me_patience Nov 2014 #60

OK so pipi_k Nov 2014 #67

I think it depends on the type of business tabbycat31 Nov 2014 #73

I think "main street" businesses are adapting cyberswede Nov 2014 #62

Local stores need to do a better job of getting information to customers csziggy Nov 2014 #65

Maybe it's time for Main Street to change. dilby Nov 2014 #66

Amazon allows 3rd party sellers (aka Main St). ecstatic Nov 2014 #68

I love Amazon. I love Amazon Prime. madfloridian Nov 2014 #69

Me, too. I disagree with some of their labor policies, however. closeupready Nov 2014 #72

Amazon and Etsy. And Abe Books. madfloridian Nov 2014 #75

Especially in the Holiday season. alphafemale Nov 2014 #76

Malls killed Main Street -- long before Amazon came along n/t nichomachus Nov 2014 #77

Amazon has a lot going for it, Broken_Hero Nov 2014 #78