Final answer:
Out-of-town consumers often choose chain stores due to their high-profile locations, predictability, and familiarity. These stores offer a standardized shopping experience that provides efficiency and convenience, though it may lead to a uniform and less diverse marketplace.
Step-by-step explanation:
Out-of-town consumers may gravitate towards chain stores for several reasons. First, chain stores often occupy higher-profile locations, making them more visible and accessible to visitors unfamiliar with the area. Second, these large national stores provide a sense of familiarity and predictability in their products and shopping experience, which is comforting when in an unfamiliar place. Lastly, chain stores have a uniformity in products and services due to standardization, which means consumers can expect the same quality and selection no matter which location they visit. This phenomenon, together with the McDonaldization of society, has led to a retail landscape where large chains dominate by offering efficiency, calculability, and control. However, this comes at the cost of reduced variety and the potential erosion of local character and economic benefits. Regardless, out-of-town consumers might opt for these familiar retail options due to a lack of knowledge about local alternatives and the convenience large chains provide.