Final answer:
Buying local is easier in urban areas due to economies of scale, which make the production and sale of local goods more feasible. Cities have a concentrated population of customers and a diverse workforce, whereas less populated areas might lack the necessary factors of production, making local production less efficient and consequently less common.
Step-by-step explanation:
"Buying local" might be easier in some places than others due to the economic principle of factors of production, which includes elements such as land, labor, capital, and entrepreneurship. Proximity to these factors, as well as the presence of economies of scale in urban areas, can make buying local more practical. For example, cities provide a more concentrated customer base and a diverse labor force, which can support local businesses and make local goods more available and affordable. Additionally, urbanization and the concentration of economic activity in cities mean that there is a higher chance for local products to be manufactured and sold in these areas due to availability of a large market and suppliers.
In areas with less urbanization, the dispersed population makes it difficult for businesses to achieve economies of scale. This can mean fewer local businesses and a greater reliance on goods produced elsewhere, which can be imported at lower costs or higher quality due to the global market's comparative advantages. As mentioned in the text, consumers generally seek better or less expensive products, and businesses strive to increase profits, leading to a scenario where goods are often produced in locations that offer the most advantageous conditions for production and then distributed globally.