The increasing use of cars because of out-of-town stores

Question: In some countries, small town-centre shops are going out of business because people tend to drive to large out-of-town stores. As a result, people without cars have limited access to out-of-town stores, and it may result in an increase in the use of cars. Do you think the disadvantages of this change outweigh its advantages?

Source: consumerreports.org

The flourishing of large department stores in the outskirts has resulted in not only the abandonment of inner-town malls but also the proliferation in the number of vehicles. As far as I’m concerned, in spite of certain benefits, this trend brings about more far-reaching repercussions .

Admittedly, out-of-town supermarkets allow people to get access to a wide variety of commodities. While centre-town shops tend to be limited in quantity and diversity, suburban supermarkets can cater for every need of people with renowned brand names and high-quality goods in abundance. This can be attributed to the fact that these supermarkets are erected on vast expanses of land; therefore, they are capable of displaying a multitude of products. Additionally, they also provide customers with many recreational activities, which are aptly suited for family trips. This, in turn, enhances the living standards of townspeople.

However, there are more drawbacks to this change. Regarding the small stores in town, they are deprived of the chances to develop and prosper since the big ones attract and take away all their customers. As a result, a large number of these shops are driven to permanent closure. In addition, increased traffic volume compounds the situation of air pollution and also leads to serious health problems such as asthma and lung cancer. That hordes of people gather at one place can be uncomfortable and affect shopping experience in an unpleasant way.

In conclusion, the practice of townspeople going to mega-shopping malls on the outskirts has both merits and demerits. Nonetheless, I believe such a trend is more detrimental because it can put pressure on the environment and adversely influence the well-being of customers and shopping experience.