Im always shocked that retailers still exist. I rarely do in-person clothes shopping anymore.
I had been meaning to go to Macy’s to buy some coats but kept delaying it. So I go today, get some coats, and it turns out they are 60% off for Black Friday even though it’s Wednesday, and even though there is no line/craziness today. So I’m like, “alright, thanks”.
Huge store, so many products, not many shoppers, and they must have a decent amount of unsold product for certain things. Based on what I paid for these coats I can’t see how they made any money from me and this is like, my once-per quarter trip to Macy’s.
I’m glad they exist so I can go sometimes, but I just look around and think “how are you all still here!?”
Have department stores become zombies?? 🤔
Malls and brick and mortar stores have been on the decline for the past two decades. I believe the pandemic was the last nail in their coffin. It's only a matter of time before many of them close up for good.
Small local retailers are what makes a town a town. If everyone just shops online, there is no local personality. People need to shop at small local businesses in order to have a place they still call home. If we all just shop online the town turns to nothing. And there are no personal relationships. Big box stores are wastelands now with no quality sales staff or displays. But spending your money at small mom and pops keeps that money circulating in the local economy before it leaves town again. Vibrant local economies are what we all enjoy to experience the most!
The problem's at its worst with the likes of Amazon. They're able to pay such a low effective tax rate that money is massively draining away from local communities and economies. They use nations' infrastructure to conduct their business without paying for it. I don't even really blame them for it. They're making the most of a car crash international tax system.
I don’t imagine many people shop on Wednesdays
Same with movie theaters. I used to go to the cinema 3-4 times per week 10 years ago. I can’t think of the last time I went and have to desire to be around people.
You’d be shocked to learn the margins in clothing. Often 80%+ so they can afford the 50-60% off to move obsolete inventory and still pocket enough for overhead
i like to try clothes on, and also to buy food in person for freshness, but every thing else i buy online.
I prefer trying clothes on, especially shoes. It's a chore to return ill fitting items online.
I only shop ~ once a quarter for an item of clothing so it's not a hassle.
And food... I love picking out food at a store or farmers market. Inspiration for dinner often comes from some new items in the produce section. 🤩
Once a quarter? I go to stores once a year at most and I'm always amazed by how busy it is in town. I keep thinking - haven't all these people heard of Amazon?
I went to Macys a few weeks ago for the first time in a couple years.
Got the Levi’s jeans and left.
I too was impressed. 😀
Macys survives off credit cards. Seems like a late stage fiat business.
Def surviving off something other than customers inside the store. 😀
Actually one of the only retailers doing decent this quarter, everything else was priced to perfection and too much positive news priced in. 😅
I generally need to see something in person if there aren’t any professional reviews or where the review scores are so close. When it comes to fabrics I have to touch them to make sure I will be ok to wear them eg not all “pure cotton” is the same for me.
This is for sure true of large multi-brand stores.
There is however still a strong marketplace for speciality experience stores like luxury or high end curated stores (like Collette in Paris used to do or Maxfields in LA)
I predict that most retail stores will become brand experience hubs/ clubs in the future.
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