I suppose I am some what spoilt where I live having to sets of local shops, one 200yds other 0.5mile away.
Now some of the small local shops are very good, but there s a a small cartel running where the bakers shops are concerned. Both bakers supplied the same horrible bread and cakes and we had little choice. We now have a Tesco express with a petrol station and a Co-Op. Both of which do bakery goods cheaper and better than the two local bakers. Thankfully I no longer have to use the local bakers.
Now within 1.5 miles we have a local butchers which has won awards for hs sausages, and his meat is second to none. We buy from ths butcher as much as we can. Problem is he is now in his 70s and patrially retired. The business has done really well over the years, but none of his kids want to caryy it on. The loss of this butcher will be sorely missed by me and many others.
I think the top and bottom of local shops is some are excellant, and some are the pits.
Tesco and the like will take over where local shops are poor. Local shops need to be very good indeed.