Convenience is definitely important, which is why mixed zoning is helpful.
Instead of digging through amazon trying to find the one item that isn’t fake, hoping it’s what I actually want or need, needing to be home at the right time to sign for the package, and waiting for delivery, I could just make a 5 minute trip and hold the item in my hands before buying it.
Local businesses still mostly thrive in cities with mixed zoning despite the presence of online businesses. Some things do get crushed (small electronics stores just can’t possibly match the variety and endlessly cycled out stock of the newest items online), but there’s space for some things.
There's definitely space. But it also requires creativity, and even the big chains fail.
There's an Eastern Mountain Sports near me. It's an anchor in a small "boutique" mall. Not a single screen in the whole store. Now how are you going to capture the interest and imagination of the casual walk-through traffic? With racks of cookie-cutter clothing?
B&M certainly isn't easy. What is? But having done B&M and ecomm, B&M has something online does not...presences. Mind you, that's not a plus ATM but pre-C19 very few were fully exploiting that unique asset. And yet they cry about inline? As if boring and generic will win over convenience??
Instead of digging through amazon trying to find the one item that isn’t fake, hoping it’s what I actually want or need, needing to be home at the right time to sign for the package, and waiting for delivery, I could just make a 5 minute trip and hold the item in my hands before buying it.
Local businesses still mostly thrive in cities with mixed zoning despite the presence of online businesses. Some things do get crushed (small electronics stores just can’t possibly match the variety and endlessly cycled out stock of the newest items online), but there’s space for some things.