Despite arguments against the sprawling growth of the retail sector, there are strong market forces at play. Some maintain that retail sprawl is a legitimate response to market forces. To balance community discussion, the following issues should be considered. The retailing world is changing and people like new stores. By trying to stop new retail expansion on the edge of town, spontaneous developments that arise from consumer demand are squelched, interfering with the principle of consumer sovereignty and free markets.
Prices are often lower at the large chain stores due to efficiencies in distribution and management.
As Americans become more dependent on the automobile, highway access and parking have become important advantages of sprawl expansion. More Americans have moved to homes outside or surrounding the communities. People want convenient retail opportunities near their homes. Communities that stifle these retailers will lose consumer spending to competing retail centers in other towns. Many existing downtown retailers have become better merchants because the level of competition has increased.