The Dark Store Strategy

http://www.texasstandard.org/stories/what-does-the-dark-store-strategy-mean-for-taxpayers/

The dark store strategy is something that has just recently immersed in the retail industry. This strategy benefits big-box stores in the industry because it is a way for big-box stores to lower their property taxes. Big-box retailers argue that if their stores closed down it would be hard to find a different store to fill their retail location, and so they want to lower their property taxes.

The issue with this strategy is that the taxes will then be turned onto homeowners in the county. Lowe's is one of the first big-box retailers to implement the dark store strategy. They implemented it in Hunt county and it ultimately cost the county $23,000.

When I first heard about the dark store strategy I didn't think it would be that big of a problem, but when learning about it in more detail I realized what a problem this could be for taxpayers. If every big-box store implemented this strategy, taxpayers would be facing a large increase in the amount of taxes they pay each year.

It will be interesting to see how this strategy will play out and if counties will begin to allow this change in the retail industry. What are y'all's thoughts on the dark store strategy? Do you think there is a way to implement this strategy without affecting taxpayers?