the worlds greatest treasurer, page-15

agree Lapdog

the same as independent supermarkets have to adapt to survive. The only way is to differentiate your offer.
There is more to commertcial success than just price.
Unfortunately though the back of Australia being small business isn't very well placed for such innovation across the broad market.
As much as I am not a supporter of a 'big' Australia for consumerism to be effective we need a bigger market base.
The internet continues to offer both opportunity and threats to the market place.
My wife has bought heaps for our new house online and only a couple of bedside lamps didn't meet or exceed expectation.
Not everyone has someone sitting at home all day to receive the goods I guess but the choice not only being cheaper but the range is also massive in just about anything you can think of.
I wonder what happens though when our $ goes back to 70c some time in the future?
I do feel sorry for the small franchise stores in the shopping centres though. Overheads kill them and leases mean they can't get out without declaring bankrupcy.