Quote:
Originally Posted by Yolina
I never quite got used to that  and the general tendency that has been growing in the UK over the years of mostly having chains for everything - restaurants, clothes shops, bookshops, everything is just the same everywhere. In that respect I think I am still very French  |
Then you should see Canada. I've been on both coasts, and to several cities in between. Even though it's a 5000 km expanse, many of the chains are the same. If it is not the same in name, it has the same parent company. That being said, there are some regional chains.
That isn't to say there is a void of independent businesses. They thrive in Toronto, and (to a lesser degree) in Vancouver. They also seem to thrive in certain sectors of the economy. If you're looking for a store or a restaurant though, good luck. These independents exist, but you'd be hard pressed to find them. Sometimes it takes wandering down side streets or alley ways or the sub-levels of office towers just to discover them.