I think the argument for supporting local could've been made before the cost of living exploded to support "Canadian" chains but now many families locally are just trying to get by. Though Costco is getting expensive (a queso dip for $12? Get bent!), but it's still the best game in town. You can't blame folks who are struggling when they use the most cost effective option.
The "small towners driving to the next town over to shop" has always happened, and will always happen. I grew up in Hazelton, and we still went to Smithers every weekend to grab groceries, though Hazelton had two perfectly serviceable grocery stores. Even if the economics for just grocery shopping don't work out on their face, you can usually justify the trip by other means by saying there's better selection, boutique items you can only get in larger centres, or family and friends to visit (the list goes on).
Another note is that there aren't many truly independent grocers in town. I can only think of the Marquee off hand?(which is well supported locally). Grocery is the just the latest sector to become an oligopoly (see: telecom, banking, rail). Even if you shop at SaveOn or Superstore, you'd be lining the pocket of a tax-evading big wig who doesn't care about little Prince George anyhow. The only difference is that the Costco bigwigs live in Seattle. No ethical consumption under capitalism, as they say.
I definitely have felt the impact when Costco brings in a product my shop carries, and people ask me "why can't I offer the same price" -- Dude, Costco plays an entirely different game than small local shops. I can't buy it at that price direct from wholesaler. It definitely skews peoples sense of what products are worth and the costs of business operations.
Let's not forget that prior to Costco stores closed at 6 and there was no Sunday shopping. Costco changed the when it said we are a shopping club not a retail store. The city ordinance fell shortly thereafter. Costco also single handedly brought the highest gasoline prices in the province down.
Ultimately I think in this current climate, Costco is a good thing.
As mentioned in some of the reddit posts, they actually do pay their staff fairly. Not the same can be said by many of their competitors. True independent stores are few and far between. I'd rather have a Costco around to compete with the insane prices at Save On, or against Walmart who will happily pay their staff far less than a living wage.
Their prescription prices are low as well, and who does that take away from? Shoppers? They're a massive company owned by Loblaws. Independent local pharmacies probably do ok as well, sometimes proximity to home is more important than saving a few bucks on a prescription.
I think the argument for supporting local could've been made before the cost of living exploded to support "Canadian" chains but now many families locally are just trying to get by. Though Costco is getting expensive (a queso dip for $12? Get bent!), but it's still the best game in town. You can't blame folks who are struggling when they use the most cost effective option.
The "small towners driving to the next town over to shop" has always happened, and will always happen. I grew up in Hazelton, and we still went to Smithers every weekend to grab groceries, though Hazelton had two perfectly serviceable grocery stores. Even if the economics for just grocery shopping don't work out on their face, you can usually justify the trip by other means by saying there's better selection, boutique items you can only get in larger centres, or family and friends to visit (the list goes on).
Another note is that there aren't many truly independent grocers in town. I can only think of the Marquee off hand?(which is well supported locally). Grocery is the just the latest sector to become an oligopoly (see: telecom, banking, rail). Even if you shop at SaveOn or Superstore, you'd be lining the pocket of a tax-evading big wig who doesn't care about little Prince George anyhow. The only difference is that the Costco bigwigs live in Seattle. No ethical consumption under capitalism, as they say.
I definitely have felt the impact when Costco brings in a product my shop carries, and people ask me "why can't I offer the same price" -- Dude, Costco plays an entirely different game than small local shops. I can't buy it at that price direct from wholesaler. It definitely skews peoples sense of what products are worth and the costs of business operations.
Let's not forget that prior to Costco stores closed at 6 and there was no Sunday shopping. Costco changed the when it said we are a shopping club not a retail store. The city ordinance fell shortly thereafter. Costco also single handedly brought the highest gasoline prices in the province down.
Ultimately I think in this current climate, Costco is a good thing.
As mentioned in some of the reddit posts, they actually do pay their staff fairly. Not the same can be said by many of their competitors. True independent stores are few and far between. I'd rather have a Costco around to compete with the insane prices at Save On, or against Walmart who will happily pay their staff far less than a living wage.
Their prescription prices are low as well, and who does that take away from? Shoppers? They're a massive company owned by Loblaws. Independent local pharmacies probably do ok as well, sometimes proximity to home is more important than saving a few bucks on a prescription.