Capitalism certainly qualifies as a cancer, even if metaphorically.

Exactly what you say. I remember finding a very helpful former Defence Housing tradie in Bunnings and he helped me find a mate of his to fix up a few problems that had occurred while my house was rented out for most of a decade. Two really practical, helpful people who knew exactly what was available and suitable for each problem. My timing was very lucky.

Biggest problem I find is the lack of knowledgable service

This is the biggest change. It used to be I could find a retired tradie on the staff who not only knew in which aisle the product resided, but willingly assisted me on its use and occasionally suggested a better solution to my problem.

believing in continuous growth within a closed system, is the philosophy of cancer

poor service – because corporations don’t believe in training there staff anymore