Our shopping traditions reflect our cultural development and shape our social life. For many contemporary families it became a special ritual to go to a shopping mall in a week-end or a holiday, browse around, do some quality shopping, have a snack or drink some coffee, watch a movie, meet with friends, spend some good time with the children, and so on. Modern shopping centers, malls, markets and other facilities can satisfy the most sophisticated tastes of American shoppers.
Nowadays, some specialists argue that shopping malls are currently losing their popularity because people, and especially women “.. ave less time to shop” (Hudson, 75).That is why other types of shopping alternatives, like town center shops, second-hand markets or small neighborhood shops receive more and more customers. Such shops are
...specialized, small, less crowded and easily available, though sometimes their prices are a little higher, discounts are rare and the assortment of products is poorer. I suppose that the variety of the goods which can be offered in shopping malls and small neighborhood shops is the most significant difference.
When I need to get a book or a DVD I can go to a shopping mall. When I want to buy any sort of clothing I can always find something suitable in a shopping mall. When my family needs some new piece of kitchenware or household appliances we can easily find them in a shopping mall. However, the things are usually different with small shops.
When I need a book, a notebook, a new vacuum cleaner or a new T-shirt I have to visit four different small shops located in the neighborhood, and there is no guarantee
that I will be able to find exactly what I want.Another difference is shopping environment and quality of services which are offered in these two types of shopping alternatives. Giant shopping malls are usually very crowded and noisy, but this inconvenience can be compensated with a certain joyful atmosphere of holiday or public celebration. Besides, there is a variety of other services which can be offered in shopping malls, including parking, dry cleaning, different entertainment for adults and children, and so on. Small shops are usually less crowded and offer no extra services.Yet another difference is accessibility of shopping malls and small shops.
The number of shopping malls in big cities is quite satisfying, but in small cities there are usually only two or three of them. That is why for many people (both in small and big cities) it may take some time to reach a shopping mall, especially in rush hours, in the week-ends or during national holidays. From this point of view, small neighborhood shops are more convenient, because it is much easier to reach them and buy something necessary. Finally, the disadvantages of these two types of shopping options are also different.Many people are disturbed with the fact that sometimes they have to wait for long time to park their car in shopping mall parking places.
Another problem related to shopping malls is the necessity to walk around from store to store in order to find the thing you need. Finally, many people find modern shopping malls too standardized and similar. Some claim that they spend more money in shopping malls. However, the disadvantages of small stores include limited supply of
goods or services, more ordinary environment and less attractive prices.Undoubtedly, shopping brings a lot of pleasure and positive emotions, and currently the variety of shopping alternatives is increasing. The majority of Americans prefer buying things in internet e-shops, and very soon this type of shopping will dominate the others.
Many enjoy such “.. unique shopping options as flea markets, antique shows, garage sales and craft fairs” (Hudson, 75). Nevertheless, I am sure that small neighborhood shops will remain and develop into more advanced outlets to offer fast and effective shopping.
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