# The Coexistence of Big Box and Small Retail Relies on Synergistic Relationships

By Mansur Khamitov, Ph.D. · Published 2024-04-24 · Updated 2026-06-09 · Retail on MarketScale
Canonical: https://www.marketscale.com/industries/retail/the-coexistence-of-big-box-and-small-retail-relies-on-synergistic-relationships

> Rather than competing for dominance, retail's largest and smallest players thrive when they embrace their differences and build mutually beneficial partnerships

## Key points

- Big box and small retail can thrive through partnerships.
- Retail formats should embrace their differences for mutual benefit.
- Synergistic relationships enhance business strengths.

Block Field

Despite being long time competitors, big box retailers and small local businesses can both coexist in ways that benefit the other. Of course, both retail formats are different but by maintaining their core business models, the two can bank and leverage their strengths and still be open to synergistic relationships.

During an episode of [Experts Talk](https://marketscale.com/shows/experts-talk/) for a roundtable segment focusing on[ the state of big box stores and small retail](https://marketscale.com/industries/retail/brick-and-mortar-store-resurgence/), [**Dr. Mansur Khamitov**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/mansurkhamitov/), [Assistant Professor at Indiana University](https://kelley.iu.edu/faculty-research/faculty-directory/profile.html?id=mkhamito), detailed exactly why there is a necessity for these entities to coexist and learn from each other, focusing on agility and personalization. 

"So in many ways they just have to, coexist … and play into their strengths, but at the same time, stay agile, stay nimble, and learn from the other format," Khamitov said.

> So in many ways they just have to, coexist … and play into their strengths, but at the same time, stay agile, stay nimble, and learn from the other format.
> *— Dr. Mansur Khamitov, Assistant Professor at Indiana University*

Tags: big box, Dr. Mansur Khamitov, Experts Talk, Indiana University, retail, Retailers, small retail, synergistic relationship

---
Source: MarketScale, https://www.marketscale.com/industries/retail/the-coexistence-of-big-box-and-small-retail-relies-on-synergistic-relationships. Published for AI indexing and citation; cite the canonical URL. Site guide for agents: https://www.marketscale.com/llms.txt