Hacker News new | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submit login

> How might local businesses respond?

1. Convenience. I used to stop at a local toy store on the way to a birthday party, or the day before, to buy a wrapped present. They closed, so now I drive ~15min each way to the next closest toy store.

2. How do I know what local stores have unless I go there and ask? I'd like an app that would allow me to comparison shop across Amazon/Target/Walmart/local stores. Let me know if you want to work on that with me, sounds interesting.

3. Add value - online reviews are sometimes useful, honest expert advice is great.




You know how Europe keeps its small businesses? Mixed-use development with large population densities in larger cities and strong centre-villes in smaller towns (some that aren't drivable).

What the US calls "city planning" is a complete oxymoron.


4. Price match. This can be a double-edged sword and it may be unsustainable but if I'm the shop owner I'd lose a bit of margin rather than the entire sale. As a customer, who wouldn't want the item now vs. waiting 1-5 days for it.


a reason they can't price match is that their prices are already at razor thin margin, since their economy of scale doesn't kick in like the big co's.


Amazon does this convenience thing for restaurants, there is no reason why they couldn't do it for the local toy store.

Email Jeff!




Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: