Establishment of superstores has resulted in closure of small shops. Is it a positive or negative development? - Ielts Essay

Establishment of superstores has resulted in closure of small shops. Is it a positive or negative development?

 

Ielts Essay - Establishment of superstores has resulted in closure of small shops

It is an undeniable fact that mushrooming of large departmental stores has led to shutting down of small outlets. This is being considered as  extremely beneficial for multiple parties even though there are others who are quite cynical.

Opening of supermarkets has ushered the concept of going shopping into a new era; people now find it very convenient to go and buy things of almost every imaginative type - ranging from groceries and cosmetics to electronic equipment and apparel - under one roof.  They, no more, need to uselessly roam around in huge markets exhausting themselves while looking for different commodities since most of the large stores have different departments that do not only sell different goods but also offer a wide variety for disparate choices and tastes.

Moreover, large shops with sprawling carpet areas cater to a cross-section of consumers, from  diverse socioeconomic backgrounds, who can covertly shop for anything that suits budget and needs without letting anybody else know. This aspect has come in handy for people who are conscious about their social status, since most of large stores are located away from the usual neighborhoods, people now can buy anything - even on discounts and not let their peer discover anything.

However, this phenomena does have a dark side too, as now people are no more able to save money like they did when they shopped at small outlets. Whenever people would shop at smaller stores, they would get some merchandise on credit - since they enjoyed personal rapport with the shop-owners, who would oblige without much complaints and formalities and take balance in installments.

In a nutshell, I feel, despite big sprawling shopping centers having some shortcomings, they are going to spread further as they offer many benefits too.