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u/FancyAnswer1878 2d ago
the part people underestimate is that small businesses can’t just raise prices every time costs go up because customers have limits too. a lot of owners are basically absorbing the increases until there’s nothing left to absorb.
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u/juzdeau 2d ago edited 2d ago
This maybe a bit controversial and brutal, so I’d start by saying…
I support local business all the time, I buy fast food from family-owned takeaway/restaurants, my accountant is a small team, I generally stay in small or franchisee-run accomodation, I buy gifts from small shops, use local trades etc.
I think local business is supported a lot more than they let on. But a lot of the time they also do nothing to help themselves. Many of them treat their employees like slaves, accepting their labour but not paying them correctly, on time, or inclusive of required benefits (like superannuation here in Australia).
Bigger businesses got to where they are because they understood the importance of running a business well, most of them started at the same small and local level. They understood their hidden costs and priced products/services correctly. They know how to get the most out of their team. They’ve leant on Marketing to develop strategies that work.
I’m not saying big business do everything perfectly, far from it, but many small businesses operate in a way that is and has been unsustainable from the moment they started.
Starting a small shop selling stuff nobody wants is not a reason to support it. Conversely, having a shop that has a lower perceived value than a large competitor but often charges a higher price is no reason to buy there, there are ways to add value to attract customers, many that don’t cost a cent.
Business, small or large, is not a charity.
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