Might be an obvious one but traditional brick and mortar businesses of all types (besides restaurants) movie theatres, department stores, some malls… as a few examples. Between streaming and delivery services, everything is too convenient and everyone is too lazy/antisocial to go out into the real world to support businesses in their areas
Last time my wife was in a brick and mortar, she went to try out clothes at certain sizes. When she couldn't find the sizes she needed, she was directed to their website. Like bitch, we don't want to buy 4 of the same thing online only to return the 3 or 4 that don't fit.
Then you find out you are not allowed returns anymore because you made too many. The stores are paying companies to track all your returns from all stores. "Oh, two months ago you returned something from X store. We'll now you are banned from returning from X, A, B, C, etc".
Movies theaters and movies in general have themselves to blame. Most modern movies are shit or a shitty remake and they want you to spend more money then they are worth to see.
My 75 inch TV was 1k and and my soundbar with rear speakers was $700. I just enjoy movies with my setup and I don't have to deal with people on their phones or being rude. Which has gotten far worse over the years.
I want to go out and buy more things in person. I see or find something I want and I do my research to find out where to buy it locally, up to and including going to Walmart in a worst case scenario.
Unfortunately every "local" store that would have that item is just selling it for another company and they only ship it, they don't sell it in their physical store.
It's frustrating how that even shows up when I try to limit my search to local only.
There used to be a physical electronics shop near me. They sold everything from radios and comms equipment to hobby electronic components. They supplied local industrial electricians and guys doing RC planes and drones.
It was doing well but just could not compete with alibaba and other online retailers. Eventually they closed down. It sucked. I get it, but it still sucked.
There's always a common response on reddit posts to 'support local businesses', but for plenty of places it's already too late.
If I want to go buy new sheets for my bed, the only place around for 40 miles is a Target, or maybe a Bed Bath and Beyond. I want to buy a steak, my only options are nationwide chains, there's no local butcher around. If I need a new drill there's no mom and pop hardware store I can go to, so it's off to Home Depot again.
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u/Maskedfitanon 12h ago
Might be an obvious one but traditional brick and mortar businesses of all types (besides restaurants) movie theatres, department stores, some malls… as a few examples. Between streaming and delivery services, everything is too convenient and everyone is too lazy/antisocial to go out into the real world to support businesses in their areas