Nowadays, smaller shops are gradually being taken over by large shopping malls. Although this does provide certain benefits, such as increased revenue and wider customer choice, it also brings along specific drawbacks, such as loss of diversity in businesses and closure of small shops. In my opinion, both should co-exist as this can provide more advantages whilst mitigating the disadvantages.
For one, malls can generate greater profits because they are more likely to offer a wider range of products and services. Different businesses can rent an area and this can allow people to get more of their errands done in the same place instead of having to travel often. When these varying booths pay rent to the overall enterprise owner of the massive complexes, this can create more employment opportunities and contribute to local economic growth..
Alternatively, small shops are unique and highly regarded in the way they offer intricate services that are almost difficult to find anywhere else. For example, some small shops give insight into lost art forms, such as in Hong Kong, where there is a small booth operating as a Mahjong tiles engraver. They have not expanded into a bigger service to ensure cheaper prices for customers, however they risk the closure of their business as they are no longer receiving as many clients.
Therefore, although it may seem worth it in the heat of the moment to replace small shops with bigger forms of enterprise, consideration of the businesses in the long run must be taken into account. With what has been discussed, I believe a more practical solution would be to encourage small businesses to operate within shopping malls so that consumers benefit from convenience while preserving local enterprises.