Summary Nowadays there is more choice for the consumer than ever before. Large supermarket chains sell products from around the world at rock bottom prices. We are also able to buy anything we desire from the internet and, often, have it delivered the next day. However, this comes at the detriment of small local shops, and our local communities. I would suggest that we need to take measures to address this problem. Large chain store are able to purchase and trade a very large volume of goods and, as a result they can sell goods with a very small profit margin. Likewise, online retailers have comparatively low overheads as they do not have to maintain a shop. This saving is then passed on to the customer in the form of low prices. In comparison, smaller local shops have to sell products at a relatively high price in order to make a profit. Unable to compete, they often face closure. The problem with this is that the community loses it’s sense of identity. It is often these small shop...