Q.Explain the demerits of multiple shops.

Multiple (chain) shops offer standardised goods over many branches, but they suffer from impersonal service, a narrow range, cash-only selling and inflexible, centrally-controlled operations.

Multiple shops are a number of identical retail shops owned and controlled by a single organisation, selling the same standardised goods at uniform prices. Their demerits are:

1. Lack of personal touch — salesmen are paid employees with no personal interest, so customers do not get the personal attention a small shopkeeper gives.
2. Limited choice/variety — each shop sells only the goods produced or supplied by the parent organisation, so customers cannot get other brands or a wide range.
3. No credit facilities — sales are strictly on a cash basis, which is inconvenient for customers who want credit. …