Community Chat

[Trinity11]

---

@Moonchilde wrote:

As far as clothing, for the most part I will always need to try  on - I'm different sizes top and bottom and have been all my life. So while I buy clothes online, it's usually after going into a b&m store and finding out size/fit by buying there, and then re-ordering online. So I will be very upset if b&m stores continue to decrease to the point of non-existence. I don't need them as much, but I still need them - and I suspect many people are like me in that.

---

I just bought a top at J Jill thinking that since I already owned one, it was safe to buy it in the same size on line. Lo and behold it was two sizes bigger than the same size in the blue from the white.

Like yourself, I like trying things on. I also like the experience of shopping in a brick and mortar store where I can look at and feel the fabric. However, the other day I was in the Loft and there were two employees working at the store ......the ladies said lay-offs because of low sales meant fewer people to check us out. The line was about twenty minutes before I was helped. I just hope that won't be a growing trend in the future.

[novamc1]

Multiple analysts for the retail industry have been commenting on CNBC about the decline of malls and retail sales in brick-and-mortar stores.  One went so far as to predict today that "malls will go out business and disappear.........it's only a question of when."

Amazon has built such an impressive packing and shipping infrastructure that it is handling more and more business for retail sellers, both large ones and small independents.

Edit:  Just heard on TV another prediction that Amazon will soon become the world's largest clothing retailer.  Some disagree, saying the clothing category is too hard to handle  profitably online, because of so many returns from customers.

[151949]

For me - not buying clothing is due mainly to not liking where fashions have been trending the past few years. I desire to own very little of what I see out there anymore.

[goldensrbest]

The clothing is terrible, thin fabrics, ugly things, i like cotton clothing,i wait for sales in certain clothing lines, i am 64 and do not want the things i mostly see.

[queendiva]

The choices for quality clothing at a fair price are few and far between. Even Marshall's doesn't jazz me much any more. In addition, when I see what some women are wearing, even for business- just wow. If women are buying nice clothes, they must be waiting for an occasion to wear them. I buy my clothes online, including some lines here and some on H$N; bought a couple of T's from LE and WM.

Another thing I have not seen mentioned yet: my health insurance premiums Through the roof!  My only monthly expense that costs more is my mortgage. Wonder how long until even that is eclipsed. Not much left for shopping and saving for retirement. Have not taken a vacay in years and none is planned. 

[queendiva]

@novamc1: Interesting about Amazon. I have never bought clothing for myself there. My sons have. I can always find better prices and selection for myself elsewhere. I believe their My Habit online store is closing soon.

[queendiva]

How could I forget to add the impact that eBay has had on retail over the past few years?

Whenever I am looking to purchase something new for myself in clothing or beauty I always check out the Bay first. and often buy the item there with great success and savings.

[LTT1]

@queendiva

I have had good luck shopping for clothing on the bay. For instance, some sellers are actually "retailers" and they might ship free of charge.

Next I check for returns/free returns?

Then, return policy?

Next, their rating.

The little yellow medal usually satisfies me.

Lately, I purchased RL scoop neck long sleeve solid color tees.

Often the search engine doesn't work for me, so good deals have to just fall into my lap somehow.

[novamc1]

@queendiva

If not to Amazon and eBay, the buyers definitely  have gone somewhere, or are clutching their dollars tightly, because Macy's and Kohl's just joined the long  list of retailers delivering poor quarterly earnings.

Chain retailers are seeing their stock prices beaten up pretty badly this week.

[Noel7]

Bankruptcies have fallen for several years now at a double digit rate and are predicted to continue falling in 2016.