Posted on 22-1-2003

Stop The Box

Government must place a moratorium on big box retail developments to
prevent more damage to small businesses and communities, environmental
planning group Envision New Zealand said today.

The group was set up last year to help communities understand the impact of
mega stores and big box retail phenomena. Envision NZ spokesman Warren Snow
has written to Prime Minister Helen Clark and key Cabinet members calling
for a moratorium and a multi-party seminar on the issue. Mr Snow said New
Zealand needed to halt construction of Big Box and Mega retail stores and
centres until their effects on town centres and communities in New Zealand
had been measured.

He visited 10 New Zealand towns and cities late last year and met with
groups fighting the construction of mega retail developments in their
communities. ``I feel there is huge concern at the impact on local
economies and community values through these stores and centres killing
town centres and small retailers and businesses. ``Other countries like
Norway, Thailand and the UK are starting to impose limits on big box
retail. Its a worldwide issue thats hot right now. Poland has also acted
by giving power to local authorities to govern the growth of Big Box chain
stores. ``I see it as a conservation issue -- no less than saving whales
and the rainforest or the kiwi. Big business has always had to have limits
imposed on it in order for us to conserve the worlds resources and species.

Mr Snow said the same applied to town centres many of which are dying and
big business was not prepared to impose its own limits. `I'm not against
chain stores in every town. The old chains like McKenzies and even
Woolworths were able to coexist but the scale of these new mega stores and
centres is beyond what communities can stand. ``Their power and control
over the whole supply chain, is squeezing ``the little guy right  out.
One store can take in around $1 billion over 20 years. There is no
community that can stand that sort of impact. ``It's no longer fair
competition and it is killing good businesses, jobs and even local
leadership all over New Zealand. The real cost of ever cheaper goods is
becoming too high. ``We need to have a five year moratorium as they have in
Sweden while we ascertain what size stores are sustainable for various size
communities. Then we can set appropriate limits. Mr Snow said.