In the run-up to Christmas local shop owners in Cornwall have been heavily under pressure. Not only are they fighting against the growing popularity of online-shopping, but independent shops in Falmouth and other Cornish towns are all “fighting for the same dollar” as one shop owner put it. And with the recession ongoing dollars, or pounds are scarce.

Competition, one may argue, has always been and always will be part of the retail industry. But for private owners the fight against big international retailers, cyber-shopping and the  has never been as existential as today.

Especially prior to Christmas, which is why I chose to tackle the issue just before the end of term one, a few weeks before the holidays.

Merry Shopping…

Cornish independents under pressure from Henner Thies on Vimeo.