Main Street

1) Basically Robert Gibbs believes that Main Street is almost a watered down version of the average mall. For a while, the thing that has attracted customers to Main Street is its randomness, which Gibbs agrees should be kept, but Main Street can improve by implementing strategies proven effective in malls. Some of these strategies include improvements of lighting and advertisement. Gibbs complained that if he were an average customer, he wouldn’t know what types of products were in most of the stores.

2) Gibbs makes a pretty convincing argument that Main Street should be made more similar to malls. His argument is strong because he acknowledges that Main Street should not be exactly a mall, but it should incorporate strategies that have proven themselves in malls. Gibbs explains that Main Street and malls are two very different venues to shop, and they both have characteristics that make them unique, and those traits should be left alone. However Gibbs lists improvements that could be made that, although some minor, could greatly improve the shopping scene of Main Street.

3) Things that I believe are important to Main Street are substance and accessibility. Just like any other store, if the product is not one desired by the customers then the store will not prosper. If the store is not accessible, inviting and makes shoppers feel secure, then they will not attract as much business as they should be. I know personally that if a store does not contain an item that I desire, or advertise an item that I desire, then I have no need to enter the store. Also if it looks too difficult to get into the store, or to maneuver around, I will be less likely to shop at the particular store.