Walmart Competition Brings Friendlier Stores?

I've commented several times on the fact that I now live in rural northwestern PA and love the small town life, but like everyone else we get caught up in the 'get 'er done' attitude. Then, all of the sudden we have a Wal-Mart and a Lowe's.

When these stores first came on the scene their business plans did not include cities the size of ours. However, it looks like they have each created a floor plan that accommodates selling in small towns. I personally don't like the grocery section, mostly prepared foods and frozen prepared foods at Wal-Mart, and for some weird reason even Lowe's doesn't stock the things I seem to need, or the selection is too small, so I still tend to shop my local hometown stores.

This is where I've started to notice a huge change. I call it the Wal-Mart greeter syndrome.

I've shopped the local drug store, grocery, and hardware stores since I relocated here but now I am barely in the door and I'm greeted and offered assistance. Since these stores are small by comparison it was never a problem getting assistance but it seems now they are aware, and appreciate, the loyalty of shoppers. I'm sure they can't compete price-wise with these chains so they need that loyalty. Since I seem to be a member of the self serve generation I'm surprised sometimes by these offers of help and friendliness. {Especially after my six or seven years living in Philadelphia :)}.

One of our three grocery stores closed the week Wal-Mart opened its doors and I heard many of the small store owners voice concern about being able to compete. In fact one small fabric and quilting business shut down when the announcement was made that this store was coming to town and sadly, the Wal-Mart floor plan here does not include fabric, and has very few notions for sale.

I still go to these stores for items that I know they carry at a substantial savings, after all I'm tightening my budget due to the rising gas prices too, but for the majority of my needs I'll still shop local and I may even get used to the "Thanks for coming in" that I hear as I enter and leave these stores.