Residential property values and commercial property values in locations away from the new Big Box sink as commercial property values around the center skyrocket. (Greenwood 22). This creates an economic situation that is hard to re-balance and ultimately reduces private revenue. They also create situations in the local governments that create redundant competition where there was previously no competition at all. It forces development of infrastructures on the outskirts of towns that is costly and often creates a heavy strain on the economy that makes the other effects worse, and the fall of the economy even faster. Another problem small town face with the installation of Big Box retailers is the deterioration of a sense of community within these areas. The irony of this is that Wal-Mart in particular attempts to present a home-town feeling, touting the "Made in the U.S.A." labels (which are, in truth, few and far between) all the while destroying the individual character of the town (Norman 2).
We are hearing more and more incidences of these retailers causing problems for their own employees as well by implementing bad policies, low wages, and a poor promotion infrastructure. All in all these Big Boxes are bad news.
Big Box retailers sweep into small communities hawking promises of growth, economic stability, and a good old-fashioned sense of American pride and culture. Something must be done to allow everyone to hear the sarcastic undertones that these promises create.
Works Cited
Bennett, Ben. "Big Box Battle: Guelph's Citizens Favour Community Values and Smaller
Developments, but They Are Up against Powerful Forces." Alternatives 29, 2003. Greenwood, Irving. "The Impact of Big Box Retail Chains on Small Businesses." Center for Applied Economic Research. January 2000.
Norman, Al. Slam-dunking Wal-Mart. Greenfield, MA: Sprawlbusters,…
