Community Chat

[Cakers3]

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@Caaareful Shopper wrote:

Dollar Tree is closing 390 Family Dollar stores by the end of this year (on top of the 120 it closed in 2018).

Kohl’s is trying an experiment — it’s leasing out a few stores by shrinking their retail store space, and leasing the empty space to other businesses.  First partnership is with Planet Fitness.  Kohl’s is hoping the people that go to the gym there will then stop and buy something from Kohl’s. Kohl’s has stocked plenty of Under Armour and other athletic brands prepping for this gamble.  Interesting.

Chico’s is closing 80 stores; 250 stores will close in the next three years.

Payless is closing all 2,100 stores.

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@Caaareful Shopper   Chico's also includes Soma and Black/White Market stores.

Chico is partnering with Amazon, ShopRunner, and..................QVC!

[Cakers3]

My problem with online shopping for clothes is the darn shipping.

Odd how Coldwater Creek filed bankruptcy, was bought out, new owners started up online again, and now they are opening b&m stores again.

[JYWilliams]

There use to be three Family Dollar stores in my town but now we have one. So now I'm wondering if it to will close.

[homedecor1]

@Caaareful Shopper 

I got a email Kohl's is partnering with WW new program.  I deleted it so I'm not sure what relevance Kohl's has to Weight Watchers.

[lovesrecess]

I buy almost all of my tops from Chico’s online...but I like the option of returning something to a store if it doesn’t fit....I love Dollar Tree...go in there at least every other week. Family Dollar we don’t have many of at all...but the ones I have been in had very poor quality merchandise that was way overpriced. I did not know it was owned by Dollar Tree. The last time I was in a Kohl’s I was surprised at how the quality had dropped so much...I do like their bedding and have bought several quilts there....we have a huge Kohls about two miles from here and the parking lot rarely has many cars in it.
I do more and more shopping on line...for older people or young mothers with babies at home....it is just the most convenient way to go....most brick and mortar stores have not tried to keep up....poorly stocked shelves,not updating merchanise, above all, crappy to nonexistent customer service!

[shoekitty]

It's not just online shopping hitting brick and mortor stores.  It is Costco, Sams, Walmart.  People want it cheaper  and they want it  NOW.  They also want  a one stop shopping if possible.  Rents are higher and people are busy.  The hassle of parking, traffic and the likes,hit malls.  Plus malls have so many extra fees that they cannot afford to reduce prices and carry a larger stock.  A mall has  security, parking fees, upgrade fees, the list is endless.  One of those kiosks at a mall in San Jose, CA  costs  8,000 a month and that was a few years ago!! Geesh, imagine the keychains or mugs you have to sell to make that? 

Walmart took all manufacturing of its items overseas to reduce prices years ago. They sent employee around to all surrounding stores, then  walmart would reduce prices lower ,even if it was at a loss.  This forced small business out of downtown. Then amazon, and then the Costco's expanded.  At the same time as people got busier, and life more complicated online business soared. Most people can go to an online store find the color and the size they want in 5 minutes, get it shipped to their own home in 2-6 days free.  If they don't like it, they put it in a bag, slap a return label ...then return ! free in most places. How can anyone compete?  Plus they eliminate the American worker, or reduce labor force.

[Caaareful Shopper]

@Cakers3   I've always liked Chico's.  Thanks or the heads up that they will be partnering with QVC and Amazon.  Looking forward to this!

[AngelPuppy1]

I like the Dollar Tree.  Unlike a lot of the dollar places, their items really are a dollar!  I just can't see why there would not be a need for this store?  I mean, I know not all areas in the country are doing that great.  Where I live, it is not a wealthy area at all and plenty of people look to this store and others similar to it to buy personal care items, paper products, cards, and even food items.  I am just so sad about all of the news about these store closures.  I know there is nothing to be done about it, but I can still food upset and not happy about it!! 

[HLP]

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@bikerbabe wrote:
I can’t even remember the last time I went to a mall or a department store. I don’t miss it.

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I am currently on O2, and have difficulty, walking far, I used to love to go to Malls and stores. People who can't do that anymore , online shopping is a Godsend. I have children who go to local stores for me, but how great it is , to have things brought to your door. I buy food items from QVC, and things from Amazon. In our small towns there are 4 dollar stores, three too many.

[MorningLover]

Analysts say Family Dollar has been a drag on Dollar Tree's earnings and"remains the weaker part of the business."

"Plans to shut as many as 390 Family Dollar stores this year as part of an Ongoing Turnaround Program. 

Gary Philbin, president and CEO of Dollar Tree, said plans also call for 200 Family Dollar stores to be converted to the Dollar Tree banner in fiscal 2019.

Dollar Tree also aims to renovate about 1,000 Family Dollar stores in 2019. The program includes the installation of adult beverages in about 1,000 stores and expansion of freezers and coolers in roughly 400 stores. Price-impact sections, including $1 Dollar Tree merchandise assortments, also are being added to Family Dollar locations."

“Since the Family Dollar acquisition, we have taken the necessary actions to stabilize the business, capture synergies in both brands, rebuild the leadership team, introduce and develop the shared services infrastructure, integrate systems, create smart ways for our customers to save, improve on store standards, invest in labor and price and, importantly, to repay more than $4 billion worth of debt, earning our investment grade rating,” Philbin told analysts.

“We are now at the stage to be able to invest in and reposition the Family Dollar brand for future success through an acceleration of renovations, re-banners and store closings.”

supermarketnews.com