In a rapidly evolving society, people do most of their shopping online or in large supermarkets and assume that small, independent shops are becoming less competitive and may become extinct soon. I mostly disagree with this viewpoint because I believe independent shops still hold significant useful values for society and there will always be a place for them.
Firstly, small shops have several benefits that need to be considered. One undeniable strength of them lies in their ability to provide unique products for customers. Separate stores can customize products according to individual preferences instead of selling one style for each good like in supermarkets. Another advantage is that family-run stores are the places where local people preserve and diffuse their culture. The independent shops selling crafts and traditional goods are the potential factors in promoting tourism in each region. For instance, Hoi An is famous for its beautiful lanterns, a symbol of its cultural heritage. Tourists from around the world can visit the ancient town to admire the lantern-lit streets and buy lanterns as souvenirs.
On the other hand, with the increasing development of information technology, shopping online is quite convenient because people can purchase products anywhere or anytime they want by e-commerce platforms. However, independent shops also play a crucial role in strengthening the local economy. Nowadays, many foreign businesses only invest in opening supermarket chains in big cities. Therefore, rural areas always have the appearance of small shops by doing this business we can easily access and promote the local economy.
In conclusion, online shopping and large supermarkets are more develop than independent stores but I believe that small shops will continue to adapt and change their appearance in order to survive in the future.