E-commerce is just another attack on retail

LETTERS LETTERS@USATODAY.COM

America is under attack! An attack that

is quietly destroying our communities. It is the cyberattack of online shopping.

Retail downtown stores are both the visual and the economic heart of our communities. These small businesses, run by our local neighbors, are in a life-or-death struggle. Ecommerce is the third wave of attacks on America’s downtowns. In the 1950s and 60s, it was the enclosed shopping mall. In the 80s and 90s, it was Walmart and the “big box” stores. Now it’s the Internet.

As an architect, I have personally witnessed the devastation in downtowns that were wiped out by the first two waves. Boarded up stores and abandoned streets led to surrounding slum areas. It’s not pretty.

E-commerce has already captured 10% of retail sales in the U.S. Small businesses operate on narrow profit margins. The local owners, who often only get paid what is left in the register at the end of the week, cannot withstand falling sales and rising costs.

Every time we decide it is easier to order online, instead of picking it up locally, we undercut our community.

And remember, it’s our local stores that also support downtown Christmas lights, local parades, art walks and special events. In addition, they make our downtowns interesting for tourists and locals alike. Ecommerce doesn’t contribute a dime.

When the Internet offers “free shipping,” we need to remember that we don’t need shipping if we just stop to pick it up at our local stores — and also probably have a delightful conversation as well.

Most cities are fortunate to still have a variety of wonderful locally-owned small shops. They depend on us. Only we can stop this assault in our communities!

Shop local. Barry Thalden Ashland, Ore.