Community Chat

[Tinkrbl44]

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@SilleeMee wrote:

This news bothers me in the sense that it indicates how bad our economy is right now. But truthfully, I won't be missing either one of those stores. Can't remember when I last stepped foot in those stores...it's been that long ago.

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@SilleeMee

 Hmm.    Do you really think our economy is in bad shape?   What part of the country do you live in?

Seems to me that most retailers are feeling the pinch because people shop online more and more.    It's so much more convenient .... and making price comparisons is a snap!

[SilleeMee]

@Tinkrbl44,

I live in Colorado. The unemployment is high here. Housing market is bad. Lots and lots of empty retail spaces everywhere. When I visit friends in other neighborhoods besides mine, I see many houses that are in need of repair and maintenance. Just this past Thanksgiving many of the food banks were begging for more donations because there were so many in need and the food banks were wiped clean. 

I hardly ever see people driving newer cars either. Restaurants here are often empty except on weekends and even then they don't seem very full. 

I just don't see a thriving economy here. One time I went and had a facial done at a local salon. I asked the aesthetician how business was doing and she said something like "Not very good. This is ------ (city) and that's just the way it is".

[AuntMame]

Just a week ago I read that Sears plans to discontinue carrying Lands End merchandise in its stores.

Sears has been deteriorating for the past twenty years. The nail in the coffin came when it was sold to some hedge fund guy--oh maybe ten, twelve years ago, who drained it of cash and never improved the stores. Our local Sears has been suffering from an unrepaired leaky roof for years. The whole store in fact looks a pitiful shambles. Other nearby stores including Kohl's, Macy's, Nordstroms have been doing gonzo business and have been expanding. Not the Sears store at the other end of the mall. Much of the store has been closed off, and what remains looks like it's on the brink of closing.

[RainCityWoman]

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@SilleeMee wrote:

This news bothers me in the sense that it indicates how bad our economy is right now. But truthfully, I won't be missing either one of those stores. Can't remember when I last stepped foot in those stores...it's been that long ago.

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Our economy is doing just fine. What is happening to these old institutions is a change in how consumers purchase. Big Box stores like Costco and online buying have replaced brick and morter stores. Sears does well selling appliances, but not other things. It's sad to see them go, but not because of the economy. It's a time long past when the department store was king. Times change and we are forced to change with them.

[Q4u]

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@SilleeMee wrote:

@Tinkrbl44,

I live in Colorado. The unemployment is high here. Housing market is bad. Lots and lots of empty retail spaces everywhere. When I visit friends in other neighborhoods besides mine, I see many houses that are in need of repair and maintenance. Just this past Thanksgiving many of the food banks were begging for more donations because there were so many in need and the food banks were wiped clean. 

I hardly ever see people driving newer cars either. Restaurants here are often empty except on weekends and even then they don't seem very full. 

I just don't see a thriving economy here. One time I went and had a facial done at a local salon. I asked the aesthetician how business was doing and she said something like "Not very good. This is ------ (city) and that's just the way it is".

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I see that here as well....  and I've seen it in my on-line resale sales (eBay).  Sales no where what they were even five years ago.  I know people want the lowest price they can get with free shipping, but when someone asks to lower a newer used item (retail roughly $40) with no flaws from $12.00 to $9.00 with free shipping I am assuming every dollar counts for that person..... 

[Pooky1]

here in warwick ri sears is the same way. usually empty. its a matter of time before they close. i feel bad for the people losing there jobs.

[Pooky1]

 went in a kmart in cranston ri last week and it was allso very few people in it.

[Pooky1]

im 45 and my mom bought all our clothes from sears and alot of our appliances came from sears. i just replaced a kenmore washer and dryer a few years ago. with a maytag he washer and a whirlpool dryer but from a small good appliance store. frank declementes in cranston ri.

[SahmIam]

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@AuntMame wrote:

Just a week ago I read that Sears plans to discontinue carrying Lands End merchandise in its stores.

Sears has been deteriorating for the past twenty years. The nail in the coffin came when it was sold to some hedge fund guy--oh maybe ten, twelve years ago, who drained it of cash and never improved the stores. Our local Sears has been suffering from an unrepaired leaky roof for years. The whole store in fact looks a pitiful shambles. Other nearby stores including Kohl's, Macy's, Nordstroms have been doing gonzo business and have been expanding. Not the Sears store at the other end of the mall. Much of the store has been closed off, and what remains looks like it's on the brink of closing.

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That's the guy I was referring to in my post; do some research on him and you'll see why Sears didn't stand a chance when he took over. He and the Penny's guy are cut from the same cloth.

Regarding malls and how people are shopping, etc.. there is an excellent article on the Simon family (they are THE owners of shopping malls, especially on the East Coast) and what they've done to keep the malls they own up and running and doing so with a profit. Very interesting. The current CEO has some sharp words for chains that want to blame everyone but themselves for sales going down.

[Spurt]

@gardenman

I was amazed with all the financial problems I've been reading about Sears that they  are a big sponsor for Wheel Of Fortune's Secret Santas Sweepstakes.......I guess there way of not being for forgotten with all the attention other retailers are putting out everywhere

I thought it was a horrible decision when Sears and financially troubled Kmart decided to enter into a partnernership with one another.....Kmart pulled out of our city long ago, they barely finished a brand new building with a sign up but never got to even stock or open the store...

And I agree with you....just like the NFL is a copy cat league, retailers seem to try that strategy too, BUT without success.......