Study will examine impact of mega ‘big box" stores By DIANE HART Special to the Beaver ow does the local downtown merchant or independent retailâ€" er compete with a mega ‘big box‘ retailer pulling in $150â€"million a year. In a word, it doesn‘t. However, as consultant, John Winter, points out, both retailing outlets may be equally important to the people who live in the community. They may both want to shop at the popular ‘big boxes‘ such as the Price Club or Aikenhead‘s, and yet want their smaller existing merâ€" chants to be protected and remain viable. And these days, with people flocking to the ‘big boxes‘ for bulk purchases on everything from tires to toilet paper, it is important to consider their impact on local shoppers and retailers. Winter â€" currently undertaking a $50,000, sixâ€"month retail commercial market study for the town of Oakville â€" says it can place a municipality in a quandary, to be able to offer consumers the ‘big box‘ places like Price Club which he said boasted sales of $150â€"milâ€" lion; $100â€"million of that in food sales alone in 1991, and yet not have the existing merchants undermined. The retail management consultant said that as popular as the big boxes are today â€" and many shoppers in Oakville drive to ‘big boxes‘ outside the town‘s borders â€" he believes their popularity will wane in the next decade. "‘Their moment is now, but the penâ€" dulum will swing back. And then the smaller stores will flourish," he predictâ€" ed. His study, commissioned by the town as a way of getting up to date data, will determine the needs of the commuâ€" nity and look at planning for the future. "First we have to get the facts," he said. "We have to ask things like how much they shop out of the community at a big box?; How much they cross border shop?; What‘s the market for 20 years hence?; How much space do we need?; What‘s the appropriate amount of space?; and, What are the tradeâ€"offs?" he said. According to planner, Bruce Bellows, the town hired Winter of John Winter Associates Ltd., to do the study due to the changing, volatile economy, and the increasing requests from ‘big box‘ retailers. "We realized we had nothing in place, no policies at all," said Bellows, adding they conduct a retail commercial market study every five years. Oakville mayor Ann Mulvale said Hamilton International PSYCHIC the Oakville BIA and the Oakville Chamber of Commerce are particularly anxious to get the study underway. "People will shop where they want to," said Mulvale, adding it is important for the municipality to plan for the future as the town changes and the needs change; to determine the impact REG. $37.50 SAVE $25.01 Valid to new clients, first visit with Beata only. For a limited time by appointment. Call Today. of things like the Uptown Core and Walâ€" Mart on existing merchants in the downâ€" town, Kerr Street and Bronte areas, for instance. "We have to see if we will have the best for all the stakeholders, the small guys, and the big guys," she said. The comprehensive study has been underway for three weeks. Winter says HAIRRAFT INTRODUCTION SPECIAL 302 LAKESHORE RD. E. 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