by Stacy Mitchell
|
| List Price: | $15.00 |
| Amazon Price: | $10.20 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. |
| You Save: | $4.80 (32%) |
| Average Rating: |  |
| Lowest New Price: | $2.83 |
| Availablitiy: | Usually ships in 24 hours |
|
 |
|
Product Description
An expert's in-depth exploration of the enormous impact of mega-retailers—and what communities and independent businesses can do
A Book Sense Pick and Annual Highlight
Large retail chains have become the most powerful corporations in America and are rapidly transforming our economy, communities, and landscape. In this deft and revealing book, Stacy Mitchell illustrates how mega-retailers are fueling many of our most pressing problems, from the shrinking middle class to rising water pollution and diminished civic engagement.
Mitchell's investigation takes us from the suburbs of Cleveland to a fruit farm in California, the stockroom of an Oregon Wal-Mart, and a Pennsylvania town's Main Street. She uncovers the shocking role government policy has played in the expansion of mega-retailers and builds a compelling case that communities composed of many small businesses are healthier and more prosperous than those dominated by large chains.
More than a critique, The Big-Box Swindle draws on real life to show how some communities are successfully countering the spread of mega-retailers and rebuilding their local economies. Mitchell describes innovative approaches—from cutting-edge land-use policies to small-business initiatives—that together provide a detailed road map to a more prosperous and sustainable future.
"In the muckraking tradition of Fast Food Nation and Nickel and Dimed, this is a searing indictment of the impact of behemoth retailers." —John Marshall, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, which included Big-Box Swindle in its Top Ten 2006 list
"What Nickel and Dimed did for the Wal-Mart worker, Mitchell does for the community threatened by mega-retailers." —Bill McKibben, author of
The End of Nature
"Stacy's book provided much of the information we were using during the campaign against Target," said Don Shor of the Davis Independent Merchants Alliance, which is sponsoring Mitchell's talk Tuesday at 7 p.m…"It's probably a Davis best-seller at this point," said Shor, owner of Redwood Barn Nursery.
—Davis Enterprise (Davis, CA), article in the May 4th issue
"This letter is for anyone who still thinks that Wal-Mart would be an asset to our city, and also our city council. I urge you! I implore you! Please read this book: Big-Box Swindle: The True Cost of Mega Retailers and The Fight for America's Independent Businesses by Stacy Mitchell."
—Atascadero News (CA), letter to the editor
Customers who bought this item also bought
Average Customer Review:
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
 Like discovering the Wizard of Oz is just a guy w/fancy special effects gear, 2008-11-07
I just started reading this book and I'm already blown away by the world it is revealing to me! Reading how Wal-Mart has corrupted the free enterprise system by manipulating all the mechanisms that enable/encourage fair trade, competition, market demand, consumer preference, cultural uniqueness, etc. was startling. And the part about how Wal-Mart is slowing gnawing its way inside the manufacturers to the point where it requires a company to buy raw materials from Wal-Mart, and soon won't even buy goods but will expect manufacturers to provide goods on consignment! I know that doesn't sound dramatic, but consider what happens when Wal-Mart tells P&G that it must have 100 cases of a new product in every store, in spite of what P& G's projections say the market demand is. The market doesn't go for the product, so only 60 cases are sold per store. Wal-Mart has no risk because they don't own the merchandise. So P&G has to eat the loss somehow. And as the book showed, if a company says no to Wal-Mart, they get kicked out of the store and the sudden loss of revenue can and has bankrupted companies. Good God!! And of course, Wal-Mart isn't the only one doing this.
Reading this book is like accidentally walking into a store's backroom and coming across some dirty sweatshop where everyone is in chains. Then some cleancut, smiling guy hooks your arm, leads you out and gives you some urgent story about how they're trying valiantly to keep such conditions from being necessary in every store in the world. Then stuffs a 30%-off coupon into your hand and guides you to the weekly sale rack.
Don't get me wrong, I'm a guy who likes popping into Target, Home Depot and a host of other chains. But seeing behind the shiny laminated displays makes you think....
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:
 Well-researched book. Covers many aspects of the problem., 2008-01-19
This book is scary. The author goes through many case studies and examples of the horrible things we're allowing to happen in our communities --- all in the name of promised "economic growth". I think every city planner should read this book. Anyone interested in saving what's left of our communities should read it. Even if you are skeptical of the author's conclusions, the copious bibliography can point you to the sources of her information and many other articles on the subject.
She sometimes repeats stories in different chapters, which can be annoying. However, I enjoyed reading the book because each time I had a questions, the author would answer it in subsequent paragraphs or chapters.
My copy of this book will be passed around to everyone that I can get to read it.
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:
Big Box Swindle, 2008-01-18
An absolutely necessity, especially for people living in areas where a new "big box" is being considered.
The intricate financial benefits to the corporation are absolutely staggering.
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:
More than we bargained for?, 2007-12-20
Everyone loves a bargain, and American consumers seem particularly fond of the bargain-priced imported products available at big-box retailers.
Shopping at big-box retailers for the lowest prices may sometimes save us a bundle, but are there hidden costs? The author makes a convincing case that there are. She explains that by shopping at the big boxes, we are hurting our economy by diverting our dollars from locally-owned businesses to far-away head offices and foreign nations. But, you might ask, if those foreign nations don't in turn buy our goods, what will they buy instead? Will they buy our banks, our communications media, and perhaps our politicians as well? As their influence over our daily lives increases, will they support our democratic traditions?
According to the author, politicians need to stop favoring big-box retailers with unfair subsidies. And they need to stop requiring locally-owned business to foot the tax bill - even as they are forced out of existence. This practice is defeating the kind of small-business entrepreneurial spirit that has long been a pillar of our society. It is also destroying better-paying jobs, while increasing minimum wage employment.
Only concerted public pressure will prompt politicians to enact new laws that will level the playing field, giving small businesses a fighting chance at survival. But in the battle to win hearts and minds of politicians and the public, large corporations have an overwhelming advantage, with their deep pockets, public relations skill, and superior organization.
To be fair, the author should mention that some local retailers could be more competitive - by staying open for evening shopping, and by offering the kind of broad selection and one-stop shopping convenience that many consumers crave, for example.
Thankfully, this book does offer some hope, making plenty of suggestions about how small businesses can compete more effectively.
Regardless of which side of the debate you are on, this book will open your eyes. It is carefully researched, skillfully written, and absolutely fascinating. It will likely arouse your anger. And it may even change the way you shop.
Paul Francis Musgrave, author of Indispensable Marketing Strategies - How to Outwit Your Competition, Attract and Retain Customers, and Multiply Your Profits - Marketing Strategy Secrets for Profitable Small Business Management
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:
Big Box Swindle, 2007-12-13
This book should be required reading for all elected officials....especially those in city and county government. Mitchell backs up her findings with documented studies. A fascinating look at just how manipulated we are as consumers....and we allow it to happen!
Price is accurate as of the date/time indicated. Prices and product availability are subject to change. Any price displayed on the Amazon website at the time of purchase will govern the sale of this product.
|
Store Categories
|