My take on AMZN and WFM.

in #amzn7 years ago

As a multi-business owner (including a property management company) this is just a trend of retail or service business since the start of the 21st century. There is a commercial real estate bubble in my area and this will continue. It is cheaper to have large distribution centers in very rural counties with low property taxes and cheap labor vs. many brick and mortar locations with various distribution channels. I have been in discussion with Winston Salem city council members and the manager regarding the constant property tax increases instead of increasing the county sales tax for at least once! I gave up as this defeats their cause.

See with a minimal .25 sales tax increase everyone pays - government workers, those on government aid, everyone - and at that increase, complaints would be minimal.
Plus the AMZN, and EBAY's of the early 2000's got away with massive profit (hidden by capital expenditure costs) from neither the company or individual paying revenue tax.
It's a good deal for AMZN and WFM, and just as LOW and HD, you'll soon have two choices in your city!

Until everyone (regardless of wealth) pays more in revenue taxes, taxing one specific area such as income (earned), dividends (which killed DRIP's in late 2012), and in this case - real estate, you'll have less competition or even a reason to start your own company. It may not be a good deal for either company or could be a ECL/Nalco or Google/YouTube winner (hell the number 1 and 2 search engines!) and may or may not be a good deal for AMZN or WFM employees and customers. Time will tell. Take care