I wouldn't compare phone networks with retail, it's a totally different situation. Phone networks are nothing but state-allowed monopolies. Retail chains win by other means.
I can relate with how you feel, that it's sad to see small stores disappear and all. But it has never been easier than now to actually go and get your products directly at the farmer, if you really want to. Most people have a car and the countryside is not 3 hours drive from where they live. It is technically possible to go and get your food outside of the retail chains if you want to spend the time to do it.
Most people have no interest in doing so, because they want convenience. They want to save time. They do not think it's worth it. It's pretty much a cultural problem, not a market problem.
In France you still have lots of bakeries around because people still value Bread quality over price. Since bakeries are widely spread, they are reasonably convenient to access. So the business thrives, no matter if the big chain sells the bread dirt cheap next door.
How do we stop it ? Start with education. Tell your children what's the difference between the supermarket food and the rest. Explain why it's important to eat well. It's the same thing as explaining to a kid why it's necessary to save for the time when they are old and cannot work anymore. Education is especially important since most people nowadays are born in cities or suburbs, have completely lost contact with the culture of food production, and just see the end product. It's going to be tough to change that state of things, if cities continue to grow.
I can relate with how you feel, that it's sad to see small stores disappear and all. But it has never been easier than now to actually go and get your products directly at the farmer, if you really want to. Most people have a car and the countryside is not 3 hours drive from where they live. It is technically possible to go and get your food outside of the retail chains if you want to spend the time to do it.
Most people have no interest in doing so, because they want convenience. They want to save time. They do not think it's worth it. It's pretty much a cultural problem, not a market problem.
In France you still have lots of bakeries around because people still value Bread quality over price. Since bakeries are widely spread, they are reasonably convenient to access. So the business thrives, no matter if the big chain sells the bread dirt cheap next door.
How do we stop it ? Start with education. Tell your children what's the difference between the supermarket food and the rest. Explain why it's important to eat well. It's the same thing as explaining to a kid why it's necessary to save for the time when they are old and cannot work anymore. Education is especially important since most people nowadays are born in cities or suburbs, have completely lost contact with the culture of food production, and just see the end product. It's going to be tough to change that state of things, if cities continue to grow.