Rob Carr argues that cities should prioritize reducing business barriers over subsidizing private grocery stores
Rob Carr, president and CEO of the Illinois Retail Merchants Association, contends that government-backed grocery stores are often inefficient compared to addressing structural barriers like taxes and labor costs. He argues that instead of using general revenue funds to artificially lower prices, cities should focus on streamlining permitting processes and reducing high property taxes, which currently hinder business margins. This perspective comes as Chicago faces the closure of seven Save A Lot stores, which were previously supported by $13.5 million in taxpayer financing. Bryce Hill, director of fiscal and economic analysis at Illinois Policy, noted that the city's high commercial property taxes and sales tax rates make it difficult for businesses to operate. While some advocates, such as Erion Malasi, suggest that the city should establish a public grocery option to ensure long-term food security, Carr maintains that the marketplace should dictate success. He emphasizes that the city should look at the real reasons why stores struggle to stay open rather than relying on gimmicks or repeated subsidies for private operators.