Retailers in many shopping areas, both in the city suburbs and in rural towns, are similar in that they are being faced with the challenge of changing trends and increased rivalry from online retailers as well as new and bigger shopping centres.  Here is what to do....

To overcome the odds, local retailers need to consider a cooperative approach to promoting shopping, in order to achieve maximum benefits in sales for all retailers. 

Businesses in many shopping areas regard some of their major competition as coming from online retailers and shops located in the newest shopping centre, but this can sometimes be a narrow view of competition. Competition generates from the needs of customers and can emanate from  many different sources and affect many regions.

Competition should be viewed as an opportunity to attract customers through genuine value and service and as a safeguard for a client-centered approach to business. Put simply, competition ensures businesses provide the best goods and services to their customers.

Competition between local businesses, providing similar products and services. is a necessary element of a successful shopping area, provided there are enough customers to support the area.

Customers are attracted to centres and towns where there is a choice of similar merchandise, and where prices are set by competition.

A lack of choice does not guarantee sales to a business in a shopping area, but may result in customers going elsewhere to obtain comparisons and choices.

For local retailers to be successful, it is imperative that the local industry of small business retailers join together to develop cooperative directions for the future.