Picking a Retail Environment: What's Best for You?
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by Valerie Lipow
Do you live in a community with at least one main road? If so, chances are, there's a retailer on it. Surf the Internet? You're just a click away from a familiar shop online.
Who Are the Players? Internet
The most common types of retailers today in Ireland include:
Your mother's store: Dunnes, Penney's, Cleary's, Arnotts, Roches, etc.
You know them: B&Q, Atlantic Homecare, Musgraves, etc.
Independent operators in your neighbourhood or chains like Gap and Benetton. The former tend to struggle, and the latter cater to a brand-conscious audience. Their competitive edge is seldom price; usually, it's quality merchandise or service.
Some sell clearance merchandise from other retailers or manufacturers (Rathdowney Retail Outlet, T.K. Maxx); offering sharply discounted prices.
Store (Argos) or stand-alone (Freemans).
Traditional retailers in all the above categories are jumping on the Internet bandwagon big-time. Some are elbowing dotcom retailers out of business. Some retailers also offer store locations, registries and employment opportunities online.
Generally, you've got to decide whether you want to work under a mega-store's hot lights or settle into the vein of a small-time retailer. You've seen or heard how the big retailers are emptying the shopfronts on smaller town/village retailers, so is the corporate environment right for you, or do you prefer the specialty teashop on the corner?
