“A pall has been cast on retail,”

[million$$$smile]

Interesting read on Bloomberg:

America’s ‘Retail Apocalypse’ Is Really Just Beginning

1st quarter of 2018 could be death to some major players in retail.

The ripple effect after the holidays could reach far and wide.

Get ready for some belt-tightening.

 

[Deleted50669]

Interesting read on Bloomberg:

America’s ‘Retail Apocalypse’ Is Really Just Beginning

1st quarter of 2018 could be death to some major players in retail.

The ripple effect after the holidays could reach far and wide.

Get ready for some belt-tightening.

Mostly management playing hot potato with packaged debts to put bandaids on gunshot wounds. Less to do with economic conditions than undisciplined growth.

 

[Azure]

Mostly management playing hot potato with packaged debts to put bandaids on gunshot wounds. Less to do with economic conditions than undisciplined growth.

The rise of online commerce and big box retailers unwillingness to transition to the new reality of retail has definitely played a big part. In the case of Sears, they relied on the same product delivery model they have used since the 1950s and absolutely refused to change anything.

 

[Laughingman21]

I’m always stunned how badly high street retailers have adjusted to internet shopping. Most have their head in the sand and seem to acting as if the internet is a fad that will pass. It clearly isn’t and they drastically need to change what they’re doing to stay relevant.

 

[amp0193]

Interesting read on Bloomberg:

America’s ‘Retail Apocalypse’ Is Really Just Beginning

That was an interesting read. I didn't realize how debt-ridden these big players were. No wonder they can't handle the online market disruptions. I wonder if small retailers and mom and pop stores will increase their market share in the future, as a result.

One B&M model that I still think has a future is the "showroom" model, ala Bonobos and Nordstrom, among others. Stores require less of a real-estate footprint, can maintain less inventory and keep it all centralized at a distribution center, and customers still get to touch/feel/see the goods, and get it delivered in a couple of days.

Won't work in every industry, but it might in many.