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We have to ask ourselves if we'd be willing to pay the higher prices that theses smaller chains would have to charge if any of them came back. The fact that we weren't originally inclined to do so may point to the answer. The American shopper is extremely discriminating in regard to price. Seriously, cannot pennies for a gallon of gasoline influence our buying decision? Our first loyalty appears to be our wallets.
These places didn't attract high rollers when they were around. They were discount department stores. They were steamrolled by big globalist importers of Chinese slave made goods. I feel that with the right business model and products they could be successful. Even if some of the prices were slightly higher for a wider range of goods that come from a wider range of places. I think a lot of people are sick of being monopolized by China and disgusted with supporting their working conditions.
Totally agree with you, nostalgia is for those of us who grew grow up in Rhode Island many years ago. Ann & Hope, Almac’s, Benneys, Zayres and Grossmans Lumber are a few of the stores that were RI staples.
Just like so many long term mom and pop RI restaurant institutions closing down, you can certainly revive the name but the business will never be like the oringinals.
Very true. The business would never be like the originals.
These places didn't attract high rollers when they were around. They were discount department stores. They were steamrolled by big globalist importers of Chinese slave made goods. I feel that with the right business model and products they could be successful. Even if some of the prices were slightly higher for a wider range of goods that come from a wider range of places. I think a lot of people are sick of being monopolized by China and disgusted with supporting their working conditions.
Maybe. Any product that they chose to carry though, from any source or origin, can be sold cheaper by the big boys. Brand loyalty would have to trump wallet loyalty. I've always thought that we should have protected our domestic manufacturing capability, probably in the minority on this, but that particular ship has long since sailed. And nobody, but nobody, thanks us more profusely than the Asians. We've left the Chinese in particular, with an enormously unfair advantage. These are bigger questions far beyond the scope of this thread.
Maybe. Any product that they chose to carry though, from any source or origin, can be sold cheaper by the big boys. Brand loyalty would have to trump wallet loyalty. I've always thought that we should have protected our domestic manufacturing capability, probably in the minority on this, but that particular ship has long since sailed. And nobody, but nobody, thanks us more profusely than the Asians. We've left the Chinese in particular, with an enormously unfair advantage.
Yes, but there are many products out there that aren't carried by "the big boys" and are of higher quality. The big boys trade in dirt-cheap chinaware. Even finding Japanese products is a challenge using them. I remember being a kid and hearing older people gripe about things made in Japan. Japan could now be considered a high end import compared to the stuff from China. It's like getting something from Germany. lol
Unfortunately I think the days of customer loyalty to certain brand name stores is fading away in this day and age. Growing up in the 60’s and 70’s there wasn’t much competition for stores like Ann & Hope, Bennys, etc. Maybe Sears but that was a different type of shopping.
Right now with prices the way they are my wife has no loyalty to any one grocery store but rather shops where the dollar goes the farthest. I am the same way with Lowes, Home Depot or Ace. Quality is always first but after that it is where I can get the best price.
Times are changing, those days where my dad visited the same salesmen at the lumber yard or dealership are long gone.
Yes, but there are many products out there that aren't carried by "the big boys" and are of higher quality. The big boys trade in dirt-cheap chinaware. Even finding Japanese products is a challenge using them. I remember being a kid and hearing older people gripe about things made in Japan. Japan could now be considered a high end import compared to the stuff from China. It's like getting something from Germany. lol
My dad among others in his generation served in WWII in the Pacific and saw a lot of action and I know quality aside for many of his generation purchasing anything manufactured in Japan was a big no.
My dad among others in his generation served in WWII in the Pacific and saw a lot of action and I know quality aside for many of his generation purchasing anything manufactured in Japan was a big no.
Right but while that attitude may have fit within the context of those times, it does not apply in the world we're in now.
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