Big-Box Swindle: The True Cost of Mega-Retailers and the Fight for America's Independent Businesses

by Stacy Mitchell

Book Overview

A Book Sense Pick and Annual Highlight With a New Afterword In less than two decades, large retail chains have become the most powerful corporations in America. In this deft and revealing book, Stacy Mitchell illustrates how mega-retailers are fueling many of our most pressing problems, from the shrinking middle class to rising pollution and diminished civic engagement--and she shows how a growing number of communities and independent businesses are...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0807035017
• ISBN13: 9780807035016
• Release Date: October 2007
• Publisher: Beacon Press
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 1.14 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.0" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

More than we bargained for?

Everyone loves a bargain, and American consumers seem particularly fond of the bargain-priced imported products available at big-box retailers. Shopping at big-box retailers for the lowest prices may sometimes save us a bundle, but are there hidden costs? The author makes a convincing case that there are. She explains that by shopping at the big boxes, we are hurting our economy by diverting our dollars from locally-owned businesses to far-away head offices and foreign nations. But, you might ask, if those foreign nations don't in turn buy our goods, what will they buy instead? Will they buy our banks, our communications media, and perhaps our politicians as well? As their influence over our daily lives increases, will they support our democratic traditions? According to the author, politicians need to stop favoring big-box retailers with unfair subsidies. And they need to stop requiring locally-owned business to foot the tax bill - even as they are forced out of existence. This practice is defeating the kind of small-business entrepreneurial spirit that has long been a pillar of our society. It is also destroying better-paying jobs, while increasing minimum wage employment. Only concerted public pressure will prompt politicians to enact new laws that will level the playing field, giving small businesses a fighting chance at survival. But in the battle to win hearts and minds of politicians and the public, large corporations have an overwhelming advantage, with their deep pockets, public relations skill, and superior organization. To be fair, the author should mention that some local retailers could be more competitive - by staying open for evening shopping, and by offering the kind of broad selection and one-stop shopping convenience that many consumers crave, for example. Thankfully, this book does offer some hope, making plenty of suggestions about how small businesses can compete more effectively. Regardless of which side of the debate you are on, this book will open your eyes. It is carefully researched, skillfully written, and absolutely fascinating. It will likely arouse your anger. And it may even change the way you shop. Paul Francis Musgrave, author of Indispensable Marketing Strategies - How to Outwit Your Competition, Attract and Retain Customers, and Multiply Your Profits - Marketing Strategy Secrets for Profitable Small Business Management

Big Box Swindle

This book should be required reading for all elected officials....especially those in city and county government. Mitchell backs up her findings with documented studies. A fascinating look at just how manipulated we are as consumers....and we allow it to happen!

Loss of community

If you think the big boxes help the working man and woman, you really need to read this book. Mitchell details the drop in wages and living standards throughout the affected areas, loss of support for local development, increase in abandoned buildings and water pollution, and the blackmail of civic leaders. As for the prices, she illustrates that prices do not stay low once the competition has been dealt with. I really appreciate the variety of ways she measures community, e.g. Costco rates well for putting money into an area through good wages but poorly for its failure to offer local products.

It's not just consumer desire which drives big box store expansions

Big-Box Swindle: The True Cost of Mega-Retailers and the Fight for America's Independent Businesses goes beyond most similar condemnations of big retailers to outline just how their domination is dangerous to society - and then moves on to show how citizens are fighting the phenomenon. Since 2000 nearly two hundred big-box development projects have been halted by citizens groups and communities across the U.S. are banding together to keep them out, recognizing the value in locally owned, independent businesses. It's not just consumer desire which drives big box store expansions; it's public policy and politics: BIG BOX SWINDLE documents these factors and is an important acquisition for any public or college-level library concerned with consumer and business issues, trends, and influences. Diane C. Donovan California Bookwatch

Busting the BIG BOX Myth

I have been eagerly awaiting Stacy Mitchell's follow up to her earlier book Hometown Advantage, which was invaluable in understanding the planning process, zoning, and how development decisions are made at the local level. It became my "bible" in understanding a complex process and helping to preserve and protect my community from the impact of large scale incompatible development. Her follow up--BIG Box SWINDLE defrocks the myth making and PR that BIG BOXES use to not only financially swindle communities but also to influence your local decision makers. All is done in the innocent sounding name of "economic development". BIG BOX SWINDLE includes greater detail and more research based information on the negative impact of the BIG Boxes on communities and their economy. It reveals the mythmaking for what it is: a well financed fraud on the community. Only after the community has become trapped in the web of myths, are the true costs to the community revealed, often, too late to reverse direction. BIG BOX SWINDLE is an easy read. Each chapter can be read on their own independently. Each chapter focuses on different aspects of this myth making swindle. It gives those who value locally owned and grown communities, the information needed to preserve them. Information can be used to bust the BIG BOX's myths and to help decision makers make better and wiser economic decisions. Mitchell's recounting of real life experience of those average citizens paving a better path for communities is heartening and hopeful. Big Box Swindle is a "must read" for anyone wanting to preserve the integrity of their community and for those rejecting the negative aspects of the global economy. It should be required reading for all decision makers---Councilors, Planning Board Members,legislators, Economic Development Directors--- before making decisions. This is another slam dunk for Mitchell, well researched, well articulated. Every page is filled with her well researched knowledge and experience. She makes the complex, understandable. It will be another well used resource to help change the direction of communities.