Recently, it has emerged that small, independently-run convenience stores in the Worcester Park area have dramatically fallen, due to several large supermarkets such as Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose and Iceland taking over, especially on the high-street. It is clear, that these large supermarkets are putting small businesses in Worcester Park at risk, as a result of these companies aiming to win customer share from their local competitors.
It is easy to see, that smaller independent stores are showing signs of struggling to compete with the buying power and the pricing policies of these big supermarket companies. In fact, most small stores are feeling the strain, as these large supermarkets are also intervening into the non-food markets such as books, clothing and electrical goods and it is evident that they see these goods and services fundamental to continuing their expansion into the Worcester Park area. It is worrying, how these companies are aiming to compete directly with the entire range of shops found in Worcester Park and this is causing problems for local traders.
By domineering food sales, they take away consumer choice to shop in more traditional shops such as the local greengrocers or the butchers, due to this, it is extremely difficult for new schemes to start, expand and develop, especially on the high-street. What’s worse is, by also targeting non-food shops, they take away the choice for people to visit the thriving town centre, within Worcester Park. Although these companies claim to “help you shop easier” and “save you time and money”, are these supermarket powers taking away customer choice to shop in smaller convenience stores?
It is clear, that these supermarkets provide customers with a range of goods all available in one place, as a solution to retailing, but Worcester Park contains a huge diversity of people all with different needs and demands. Many local business owners are worried that opening more supermarkets are driving customers away. This is putting many local traders out of work, due to the larger range of goods and services that these larger companies offer for longer working hours.
Recently, some local people expressed their views on whether they felt that supermarkets, were taking over the Worcester Park area. A local lady said: "I am worried about this, because many of the independent stores in Worcester Park, source their supplies locally and this supports the local community and the local economy. I am worried that most of the takings from these large stores are not staying in Worcester Park, but are going straight to large corporations.” Another Worcester Park resident commented that: “There are just too many of these supermarkets, especially on the high-street. This is making it very difficult for local traders to maintain a business and it may eventually stop local people from visiting smaller convenience stores."
However, some people also felt that shopping is easier in supermarkets, as most types of products are available all in one place. A regular customer at the Sainsbury’s in Worcester Park said: “I think supermarkets are a more ideal option, especially on the high-street. They offer a large range of different goods, all at reasonable prices and this saves a lot of time, money and is hassle-free.”
So buying from supermarkets does have its advantages, but the repercussions on smaller shops should also be considered. Nevertheless, will supermarkets be taking over completely on our high-streets and town centres in the near future?
