The rise of e-commerce has been a death knell for small, independent retailers.

“Mom and pop” stores, as they’re sometimes called, have been struggling to compete with online giants like Amazon for years. And as more and more consumers turn to the internet for their shopping needs, these small businesses are being pushed to the brink.

There are a number of reasons why e-commerce is bad for small retail stores. First of all, online retailers have much lower overhead costs than brick-and-mortar businesses. They don’t have to pay for things like rent, utilities, and staff. This gives them a significant advantage when it comes to prices.

Second, small retail stores can’t compete directly with the convenience of online shopping. With just a few clicks, consumers can have whatever they want delivered right to their doorsteps. They don’t have to deal with the hassle of going into a store if they can avoid it.

Finally, online retailers have access to a much larger customer base than geographically limited retail stores. They can reach people all over the world with just a few clicks.

Small retail stores are limited to the people who live near them. All of these factors are contributing to the decline of these stores. And as they disappear, so does the character and charm of our neighborhoods. E-commerce may have some features that are more efficient, but it’s bad for the soul of our communities.