A Nation of Shopkeepers.

"A Shop-Keeper will never get the more Custon by beating his customers; and what is true of a Shop-Keeper is true of a Shop-Keeping Nation." Josiah Tucker 1766


"To found a great empire for the sole purpose of raising up a people of customers, may at first sight, appear a project fit only for a nation of shopkeepers. It is, however, a project altogether unfit for a nation of shopkeepers, but extremely fit for a nation whose government is influenced by shopkeepers." Adam Smith 1776


"L'Angleterre est une nation of boutiquiers" Napoleon c.1802


It is true that many of the actions taken by Britain, good, bad, home and abroad, pivot around trade. History has shown that and it is unlikely to change.


Yesterday I visited a local garden centre. It's gearing up for Christmas. Back in the early 80's it had just the one coffee shop with 3 tables. It now has 2 eateries, one covers for about 50, the other about 300+.


As I sipped my latte 9 coaches of OAPs arrived at once (two from Eastbourne, another from Coventry!). For 20 minutes I watched a line of zimmer frames and walking sticks pour into the centre. There was some jostling by the more spritely who wanted to beat the queues. 


Six tables had reserved labels on them. Some of the 450 OAPs may have had a long wait for their cream tea. Wars have been started for less....


This is my local set of 'corner' shops. Putting into practice my lesson from up London last Thursday. It looks much better in big.