Something to be said about balance between 'the local guy' and 'the big guy'. There are losers in a free market system for sure.
[Insert disclaimer about 'cronie-capitalism' here.]
(Side note- MoreBeer probably supplies about 75% or so of LHBS. They are very savvy at looking small. They picked up a large wholesaler that i can't remember the name of right now).
Amazon is putting Wal-Mart out of buisness. And is killing local Main St. Buisnesses.
Wal-Mart put K-Mart out of buisness. And is killing local Main St. Buisnesses.
K-mart put (before my time. Sears?) out of buisness. And is killing local Main St. Buisnesses.
Etc. Etc. Etc.
Starting with:
Sears Roebuck & Co. that put every Main St general store out of buisness.
Who will put Amazon out of buisness? (Let me know- i'll invest!). It WILL happen. Probably sooner than later.
That business will start as a very small, Main St. buisness. It will be so good that it grows, expands, provides better employment opportunities, generates more tax revenue, etc. And many will invest and grow it more.
Repeat.
I put a great link to a great South Park episode that i think captures and explains it best below.
Compete on what you can- service, location, expertise, etc. (See Bobby, and many other sponsors here).
Price is A feature and value to many.
Not to all.
I shop with my wallet, and i sell products and services to each individual customer to choose with his/her wallets.
Also... Costco sells rice for Much better savings than a nickel a pound!
https://m.imdb.com/title/tt0763048/?ref_=fn_al_tt_7