Visited some European cities recently and was impressed by how alive their retail markets felt. In stark contrast to United States cities which are more and more feeling hollow and empty, these cities were bustling with people and shops of all sizes had patrons.
NYC used to be interesting, textured, unique, rough around the edges, etc. Over the last three decades that personality has been squeezed out in favor of a safe, mall-esque version of a once leading and creative city. The color beige comes to mind.
True story: Approx 10 to 12 years ago I met a friend (from London) in NYC. "Let's grab a coffee". We walked a good 40 to 50 blocks before we found a *not* Starbucks (or similar). Apparently, only Big Franchise Inc can afford the rents now.
Why wouldn't NYC join the rest of the country in the homogenization of consumer taste?
It is because people dnt want to shop, they want the solution. Like if i want something i find out what is ideal and get it. For in person shops to comepete they have to change their paradigm and sell what is best and ignore the rest. In reference to online marketing,, yeah thats the real isue: new yorkers ought have a yellowpages that is not shit data
Some of the best computer stores closed, i cant get the stuff except online.
Man I miss the days of malls of mom and pop computer stores, computer stop would carry all the top hardware, hdnw would carry the latest hard drives. Use to take my kids to CompUSA on the weekend to pick up video games, and they even had a pc build center with cases and fans.
The PNW doesnt have microcenters. :(
Oh and your car doesnt get broken into when you shop at home, or held up by gunpoint.
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[ 6.1 ms ] story [ 30.5 ms ] threadAnything that happens in USA tends to also happen in (my part of) the EU. Only less severe and with 20 years delay.
True story: Approx 10 to 12 years ago I met a friend (from London) in NYC. "Let's grab a coffee". We walked a good 40 to 50 blocks before we found a *not* Starbucks (or similar). Apparently, only Big Franchise Inc can afford the rents now.
Why wouldn't NYC join the rest of the country in the homogenization of consumer taste?
Man I miss the days of malls of mom and pop computer stores, computer stop would carry all the top hardware, hdnw would carry the latest hard drives. Use to take my kids to CompUSA on the weekend to pick up video games, and they even had a pc build center with cases and fans.
The PNW doesnt have microcenters. :(
Oh and your car doesnt get broken into when you shop at home, or held up by gunpoint.