@JAL, where retail lots really shine is if you play rotationally, because you can have all of your played households buy things that only one household has the ability to get.
In my game I have one where a sim with 10 handiness upgraded all of the plumbing, appliance and electronic items available in BB, and then put them in a big store for sale. That way all of my other played households can buy these things with upgrades rather than need to ever worry about raising handiness. I have another store that sells all of the RoM potions plus herbalist elixirs plus scientist serums. Again, so all of my played households can buy those things. I do the same for all the woodworking stuff, all the candlemaking, all of the fabricating, etc. etc.
But you only play one household, so the benefit for you is non-existent. It would just be role-play style flavor to be able to go shopping at a real store. I'm not against role-play style flavor at all, but it just isn't worth buying the pack just for that one aspect, at least imo.
