Despite a boom in agribusiness and hospitality, which led to various support businesses recording record-high profits, brick-and-mortar retailers faced tough competition from online retailers.

Business Chamber President Paul Pierotti said the onslaught of Griffith shoppers turning to online shopping has suffocated some Griffith businesses inducing Bras N Things, which closed recently.

"Exceptionally poor behaviour by some customers has led to this, customers need to understand if you don't support your local businesses then they won't be there in the future,” Mr Pierotti said.

Mr Pierotti said he was appalled when he learnt customers would try shoes or clothing on in a store, express their likeness for the item and then tell staff they will "just purchase it online.”

"Now that is really rude and customers need to understand all these members of the community need to be supported and if your community falls and fails well then no-one will want to live in this down,” he said.

While nation-wide apparel sales were down throughout 2016, Mr Pierotti said regional communities are more at risk of the flow on affects from online shopping.

"The smaller the community the more at risk it is...Griffith will fall if customers keep treating businesses the way they are now," he said.

“Shoppers need to decide if they want to have a vibrant community...it’s the local retailers that support the local accountants and lawyers and printers and all of the support business around them...so it’s about the flow-on of money in your community."

According to Peer Business Consulting 74 per cent of all new businesses face financial difficulties and close withing the first five years.

More than 30 per cent close within the first year, a further 17 per cent will close in the second, 13 per cent in the third years and 7 per cent in the fourth

“The statistics on the success of small businesses are appalling in Australia - it is exceptionally difficult  to survive but when they are faced with the extra hurdle of people shopping online well its insurmountable," he said.

Mr Pierotti said the current trend in online shopping should encourage retailers to level the playing field and rethink some of their strategies including entering the online world themselves.