When the Big overrides the Small

It has come to my attention recently just how much large, established companies give no chance to smaller, local businesses to make a dollar. There is a trend for commercial chains to take up residence in all of the prime locations of a suburb or city to outwit, outmask and outplay its smaller competitors. I came to this conclusion when I was driving past a local gym (pictured below) in my neighbourhood, that has been a well known business for a decade or so, who has now been taken over by 'Fresh Start' (http://www.freshstartaustralia.com/fit-centre.php), another fitness centre slowly taking up various residences around my area.

In November, 2003, The Sydney Morning Herald published an article criticisng the fitness industry, saying that the

" arrival of overseas chains such as Gold's and Fitness First in Sydney in the past few years is a sign of booming profits. The Australian gym industry forecasts its membership will grow by 7 per cent a year this decade. Women are told by nearly every magazine they must be thinner, while men must be stylish, David Beckham-shaped metrosexuals.' (http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/11/28/1069825992361.html)

With the more recognisable fitness chains, it seems to be more of a 'scene' thanan environment promoting fitness. They create themselves into a brand name and then promote this 'brand' endlessly, gaining more and more exposure and a growing clientele. Gym 'Brands' such as 'Fitness First'even have the 'must have' products such as the Fitness First Bag and the Fitness first water bottle and towel. Im wondering, do you get these items free with the membership, or do you have to pay for them on top of the $650/year membership fee?

It easy to see how the smaller fitness businesses find it hard to compete with the large gym business leaders. Small competitors vs larger, more powerful competitors is a common theme found in every industry, even services as simple as child care. For example, 'ABC Learning Centres' monopolise the Childcare industry, consisting of 1095 childcare centres around Australia (or taking up 30% of the childcare sector).

Smaller childcare centres have to compete with the globe-trotting phenomenon that is 'ABC Learning Centres,' who also have facilities in New Zealand and America.(ttp://news.smh.com.au/parents-await-abc-childcares-fate/20080227-1v8p.html)

We live in a society who craves profits, where for some, success accumulates to $$ and not much else. Business isnt about going hand in hand with the competitor, it is about always being one step ahead, maybe two.

Its the nature of business, yet it is easy to see how a slow battle of attrition occurs when the big verse the small, when the established come up against the unknown.