This week brought the sad news that long-time local outdoor retailer Casual Adventure is closing up shop.
The owners wrote that it’s “no secret that the old retail model no longer works” at a time when online retailers keep gaining market share.
There is a reason why Amazon’s market value is now almost twice that of Walmart.
You know things are topsy-turvy when Bethesda residents are petitioning against the closure of a large chain bookstore — which 20 years ago would have been criticized for running independent bookstores out of business.
“Shop local” has been a popular rallying cry recently for those who value the community-enhancing power of local businesses, but it’s hard to deny that there are a ton of empty Amazon boxes sitting curbside on recycling day. “Shop local” is nice in theory, but the convenience and low prices online often win out when it’s time to actually make a purchase.
In today’s poll, we wanted to find out where Arlingtonians stand on this.
Think of a category of something you want to buy — outdoor goods, books, pet supplies, etc. What are you most likely to do: specifically seek out a local bricks-and-mortar retail store to buy the product, or just buy it online from Amazon or another site?