topic Re: Same Store Here, There, Everywhere....... in Community Chat

Same Store Here, There, Everywhere.......

jlkz — Sat, 06 Oct 2018 13:47:27 GMT

Driving around different places from Northern to Southern States, I was always amazed at the number of chain stores. Eager after merger, more of the same stores. I wondered how the economy could support them, as well as all the strip shopping centers.

Now with online shopping so prevalent, the scenery is changing. Just this morning I read another chain is going bankrupt after a billion dollar acquisition: Mattress Firm (who also owns Sleepy’s). Almost 700 stores to be closed within the year. A lot of folks will be job searching, a lot of families hurting.

Growth is important: somehow stability needs to be worked into the equation.

Just a sad commentary....

Re: Same Store Here, There, Everywhere.......

Cakers3 — Sat, 06 Oct 2018 14:04:50 GMT

The owners of Mattress Firm have only themselves to blame for the downfall.

I agree that online buying has hurt b&m stores but MF opened stores practically next to each other in some locations; couple that with ill-planned sales and aquisitions the cracks in the foundation finally gave way.

I feel for those losing jobs.

Re: Same Store Here, There, Everywhere.......

Sooner — Sat, 06 Oct 2018 14:05:36 GMT

We have long talked about how many mattress shops of various names and brands could a town possibly have within two miles of us there are two Mattress Firms, one local brand, and one other one but I don't remember what its name is.

Now REALLY? Simple mismanagement on the part of their execs to think that we need that many. There are others all over town but literally within TWO miles of my house!

We have two CVS stores (one is packed day and night, the other one hardly ever many customers) within 3 miles. One has to be on anticipation of growth because it is on the edge of the housing nearby.

Banks? There are banks on every corner not far from us either.

I think a lot is that there are far more jobs in urban areas, and kids aren't so much going back to small towns to live now. It's a different world. When my parents were growing up there were little rural communities of maybe a few hundred people (if that) and a small mom and pop hardware/grocery/dry goods and animal feed store within a few miles and that was it.

Re: Same Store Here, There, Everywhere.......

drizzellla — Sat, 06 Oct 2018 14:17:53 GMT

Cakers and Sooner - You got that right!

Within 5 miles of my house there are 3 Mattress Firm stores. Two stores were built within the past 2 years. AND they are in the process of building another store in between Store #1 and Store # 2.

Re: Same Store Here, There, Everywhere.......

Mz iMac — Sat, 06 Oct 2018 14:34:10 GMT

There are also WaWa & 7-11 stores on every corner.

Re: Same Store Here, There, Everywhere.......

deepwaterdotter — Sat, 06 Oct 2018 14:38:47 GMT

I wonder if younger (21-35 years old) consumers prefer the predictability and consistency of goods offered in the chain-store shopping experience.

Re: Same Store Here, There, Everywhere.......

violet runner — Sat, 06 Oct 2018 14:39:32 GMT

I am an advocate for small businesses and shopping local if I can. But do also shop onlne. What you are describing has been in my thoughts too from time to time. I call those places , " Anywhere America" cause you can go almost to any state and see the same stores and resturants . And in almost every city within that state. I think it's no surpise that stores close. I do wonder if it's a comfort to some people to see the same palces when they travel. For me personally I like what is unique about an area and what it has to offer.

Re: Same Store Here, There, Everywhere.......

AuntG — Sat, 06 Oct 2018 14:43:30 GMT

Well managed stores will survive. Same holds true for restaurants. I'll go back, and even pay a little more, if the employees are helpful and the store is clean/ organized.

Re: Same Store Here, There, Everywhere.......

Snowpuppy — Sat, 06 Oct 2018 14:51:28 GMT

The problem I have with cookie cutter stores are the empliyees there know nothing. And they don't care that they have no product knowledge.

Re: Same Store Here, There, Everywhere.......

chrystaltree — Sat, 06 Oct 2018 15:50:03 GMT

Online shopping probably isn't factor in this. Most people do not purchase mattresses online. Over saturation of the market did them in. I'm always shocked at the number of mattress stores out there. Big ones, small ones, chain stores, independant stores. They are everywhere. Also there are those new mattresses in a box that are becoming so popular now.

Re: Same Store Here, There, Everywhere.......

sidsmom — Sat, 06 Oct 2018 16:00:56 GMT

Mattress Firm

If you poke around the interweb, you would find lots of

’conspiracy theories’ for all the mattress stores across the nation.

Are they a weigh station for something illegal?

Questions asking....

‘Why are there so many?’

’Why are they in hidden strip malls instead being near large retail areas?’

’Have you seen anyone in a mattress store?’

And they’re always open late in the evening....

Of course many could provide logical answers to all these questions

but I drive by one (next to a Starbucks) every day...for years.

Never once have I seen someone in the store. Had to laugh when

I read these theories....I thought the same thing!

Re: Same Store Here, There, Everywhere.......

Fressa — Sat, 06 Oct 2018 16:01:10 GMT

We have a section in our retail area that is called "Mattress row" There are five mattress stores in a row. I can't believe that many people purchase a mattress that often. I don't know what the stats are on the subject but considering the price I jsut don't see it. I have a Serta mattress on the guest bed and a Sleep Number mattress on my bed and both have 20-25 years guarantees. I also have an aero bed that is quite comfy.

I feel bad for the employees that will be out of a job. Hopefully, they will find another one sooner than later.

Re: Same Store Here, There, Everywhere.......

hckynut — Sat, 06 Oct 2018 16:05:56 GMT

@jlkz

Times move on and have over my almost 80 years on this planet. Some things I like, some things not so much. Retail businesses have changed along with technological advancements. Do you use a cell phone? Not many do not, some so much the have become part of their physical makeup.

I wish we could go back to our favorite era of time, BUT!!! As for jobs? Right now, it is said, there are more jobs than people applying for them, even 6 figure ones for those with certain skills, not college degrees, but specific trained skills.

hckynut(john)

Re: Same Store Here, There, Everywhere.......

jeanlake — Sat, 06 Oct 2018 16:15:28 GMT

One of my husband's favorite sayings regarding this subject is -- THE MARKET WILL CORRECT ITSELF. He teaches evening marketing classes. I know, that phrase sounds cold, doesn't it?

Re: Same Store Here, There, Everywhere.......

sunshine 919 — Sat, 06 Oct 2018 16:38:22 GMT

@AuntG wrote:
Well managed stores will survive. Same holds true for restaurants. I'll go back, and even pay a little more, if the employees are helpful and the store is clean/ organized.

I totally agree with you. I will pay a little more for a book at Barns and Noble because that store is amazing and the customer service is the best.

Re: Same Store Here, There, Everywhere.......

Laura14 — Sat, 06 Oct 2018 16:51:02 GMT

Not all chain stores are the same around the country. I would kill to have the Iowa Target store here in Georgia especially the Jack Daniels aisle. I know that's up to local laws but they are also bigger and more of a selection even though it's a small river town compared to a city suburb. Just depends on what the locals want I guess.

Re: Same Store Here, There, Everywhere.......

Sooner — Sat, 06 Oct 2018 16:53:46 GMT

@violet runner wrote:
I am an advocate for small businesses and shopping local if I can. But do also shop onlne. What you are describing has been in my thoughts too from time to time. I call those places , " Anywhere America" cause you can go almost to any state and see the same stores and resturants . And in almost every city within that state. I think it's no surpise that stores close. I do wonder if it's a comfort to some people to see the same palces when they travel. For me personally I like what is unique about an area and what it has to offer.

If we had little independent stores today for the basics we couldn't afford anything. We can afford all this stuff because of the huge chains. Otherwise, nobody would talking about getting rid of cothes and stuff and room in your closet would be NO problem!

Re: Same Store Here, There, Everywhere.......

ValuSkr — Sat, 06 Oct 2018 16:55:09 GMT

I didn't realize mattress stores were over-built but, around here at least, drug stores and banks certainly are. Drug stores have thrived on baby boomers are their demands for prescription meds but that will change as they die off. And banks seem to be cyclical; it wasn't so many years ago the trend was in the opposite direction - more ATM's and in-store branches and fewer stand-alone branches.

Re: Same Store Here, There, Everywhere.......

lovesrecess — Sat, 06 Oct 2018 17:19:59 GMT

Best Buy has to be the most poorly-run store anywhere but they keep popping up like mushrooms...the employees are clueless and patronizing if you are over 25....merchandise is overpriced and good luck if you have a problem with anything you buy from them. I think customer service is something younger people have never experienced so they don't know what they are missing and never expect it.

Re: Same Store Here, There, Everywhere.......

violet runner — Sat, 06 Oct 2018 17:50:24 GMT

@Sooner, agree... just talke a look at the landfills. too.