T2 essay IELTS

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An increasing number of larger shopping areas, malls and department stores are leading to the decline of smaller corner shops. What are the advantages and disadvantages of shopping in larger shopping centers rather than smaller, more traditional shops?

Recent years have witnessed a decrease in the number of small local shops due to a marked increase in the number of large shopping areas. Although this can be bring about some benefits, the downside should not be overlooked.

Perhaps the biggest drawback of big malls compared with local shops is encouraging the customer to purchase items not included in their shopping list. Through diverse techniques such as shelf positioning, department stores manipulate the shoppers to load their trolley with the bulk of items they had not considered beforehand. The corollary of this can be overspending the family's budget.

Another criticism could be the additional cost the customers have to pay in order to do their shopping from big malls. That such places require large space means they often have to be constructed far from the city center and outskirts. As such, people are forced to travel longer distances which in turn may well make them pay more through fuel costs of driving or using public transport.

Having said that, the shopping experience can be more enjoyable in shopping malls. It is the availability of groceries, clothes, shoes, reading material, food courts, and entertaining facilities under one roof that can provide the chance to spend a whole day a mall, shopping, dining, watching a movie or playing games. Axiomatically, not only parents, but also children may well find it enchanting to go shopping.

Moreover, considering the parking space provided for free or at a nominal charge, department stores are a better option compared with small shops whose location often causes inconvenience to find a parking space. Walmart and Tesco, as an example, have enjoyed a great popularity since the opening of a separate parking for the customers.

Clearly, the fact that large shopping centers are commonplace is likely to have some disadvantages for the customers with respect to the extra costs. This is not to say that the advantages such as convenient and enjoyable shopping experience should be ignored.