Q. Many high street shops have gone out of business in recent years. Why do you think this has happened? Is it a positive or negative development?
It is true that many high street shops have closed in the past few years. I believe that this is attributed to a couple of reasons, and while it is bringing some benefits. However, I concur with the view of being a negative trend in the long run.
Personally, I think about the contributory factors to the shutdown of shops are intensifying competition between businesses and the rise of Online shopping. Many small shops these days often find themselves in the face of tough struggle for their consumers' patronage. In fact, shoppers tend to prefer department stores where a wide range of consumer goods is available rather than small stores. But perhaps the leading cause of the trend is that a large number of shops succumb to Internet purchasing and shopping and ultimately vanish. For example, the prevalence of e-commerce websites like Amazon or eBay has caused the shrinking of many brick-and-mortar stores as people prefer a more convenient and economical way of shopping.
A more optimistic prediction is that Online shopping in place of traditional stores will create a better shopping experience. From the financial and environmental perspective, there will be noticeable reductions in transportation costs and environmental pollution, as no transport is needed with regards to. making Online purchases, people not only save on the fuel costs but also reduced air pollution due to exhaust fumes. However, I favour the view that street shops hold historical value and, being significant to a nation, their disappearance is a loss of cultural diversity. For instance, given the fast-paced development of e-commerce websites, future generations in Vietnam would not know how lively and colourful traditional shops had been.
In conclusion, it can be said that street shops have closed down because of Internet shopping and fierce business competition, and in my opinion the drawbacks of the trendd would outweigh the benefits.