|
|
Post by Merge on Mar 10, 2019 12:27:35 GMT
Eh, societies and economies change. This is not a tragedy IMO. Personally, I'd rather see a main street or main gathering area that is vibrant with the arts, social gatherings, community service projects, etc. than with lots of retail shops. Human interaction based around the acquisition of more stuff is just not appealing to many people any more.
|
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
Sept 30, 2024 5:23:29 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 10, 2019 13:52:33 GMT
Eh, societies and economies change. This is not a tragedy IMO. Personally, I'd rather see a main street or main gathering area that is vibrant with the arts, social gatherings, community service projects, etc. than with lots of retail shops. Human interaction based around the acquisition of more stuff is just not appealing to many people any more. Same here, Merge. But that doesn't bring in as much profits as the old mall model of import stuff from China, charge massive prices for it, ensure everyone is shopping as much as possible. And you know, we can't do anything unless it's all about profits, or the money invested will pick up and go elsewhere chasing bigger returns. Ain't much profits in "social gathering and community service" - esp. for and by those w/o much disposable income. |
|
artbabe
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,352 
|
Post by artbabe on Mar 10, 2019 13:56:01 GMT
And yet when I tried to go to our mall to do Christmas shopping I drove around for a half hour trying to find a parking place and ended up going home and getting on Amazon.
We have two shopping centers (a lot is outdoors so I guess that isn't a mall) that are always booming. I don't know if it is our demographic or what, but they seem to be doing well.
|
|
julie5
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,611
|
Post by julie5 on Mar 10, 2019 14:01:56 GMT
Too many would rather order online than actually get out of their home and go to a store. For me living ina rural area where a trip to the mall is too time consuming, online shopping is a life saver. It’s sad really. |
|
|
|
Post by quinlove on Mar 10, 2019 14:18:57 GMT
And yet when I tried to go to our mall to do Christmas shopping I drove around for a half hour trying to find a parking place and ended up going home and getting on Amazon. We have two shopping centers (a lot is outdoors so I guess that isn't a mall) that are always booming. I don't know if it is our demographic or what, but they seem to be doing well. There are a few of these outdoor shopping villages near me. I love them. There are about 100 stores and restaurants all on cutesy little streets. I much preferred these over the dinosaur mall. |
|
|
|
Post by Spongemom Scrappants on Mar 10, 2019 14:53:03 GMT
While I appreciate convenience and bargains, I'm turned off by the shoddy quality of much merchandise now. I'm at the point where I'm acquiring much less, but it has to be good quality and add value to my life. I go to the store for something I need and often leave empty-handed because it's just stuff not worth buying.
|
|
seaexplore
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,789
Apr 25, 2015 23:57:30 GMT
|
Post by seaexplore on Mar 10, 2019 14:54:55 GMT
Too many would rather order online than actually get out of their home and go to a store. For me living ina rural area where a trip to the mall is too time consuming, online shopping is a life saver. It’s sad really. Absolutely! My family (who live in the Bay Area and Austin) laugh at me when I have a list of stops a mile long. They say, “hitch up the wagon, we goin’ to town.” It really is like that tho. Almost and hour one way. We usually combine gymnastics on Monday with shopping. I order everything for pick up and just run in at each place and grab it. I work close to town so I can get stuff then too. Just a total change from how I grew up. We used to pop over to the store just to grab one thing here or there. No more. Don’t know how I feel about that. |
|
Sarah*H
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,011
|
Post by Sarah*H on Mar 10, 2019 15:57:37 GMT
I'm short and chubby. Last winter I looked in every single store in our local mall to find jeans in the right size and came up with nothing. It's not even like I wear an unusual size but if stores do stock petite or short (most don't) they stop at size 8. So I ordered them online and that will be the last time I waste hours shopping in brick and mortar stores that don't want my business. Bras are a no brainer because there is only one department store in the entire metro area that stocks the brands I like so those are also ordered online. Even things like socks are better purchased online now as stores like Walmart and Target reduce the number of brands and styles they carry. I even had to start ordering my son's underwear online when Target stopped carrying the brand he prefers. Stores can blame it on Amazon and other online retailers but in some ways, this seems like a chicken/egg debate.
|
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
Sept 30, 2024 5:23:29 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 10, 2019 16:54:05 GMT
I've noticed the lessening stock at MANY stores lately - even our local drug store chain.
It's such a vicious cycle - they stock less stuff, so I have less reason to go, so they stock even less stuff, so I have even less reason to go....
It reminds me of the newspapers stopping carrying so much local content, which made the paper more useless, which meant I stopped caring about it, which meant they fired even more local reporters and became basically ads and a few wire stories.
They're all looking to cut costs - but w/a lot of cost-cutting comes a reduction in value/quality, which leads to less revenue.
|
|
|
|
Post by jeremysgirl on Mar 10, 2019 20:52:30 GMT
How much of it has been the decluttering/Minimalism/Marie Kondo going in over the past few years? Personally, shopping used to be recreation. After decluttering and realizing how much money we wasted over the years, I have no desire to shop whatsoever. We don’t take shopping trips anymore. We shop mindfully. If it isn’t on a needs list, we don’t buy. Loving something is no longer a reason to buy either. The #1 consideration is where am I going to store/place this followed by will I truly use it. Found the ability to be brutally honest with myself. This is definitely going on at my house. So much so that I've even contemplating *not* attending two upcoming yarn shows. I have enough. Period. My refrigerator broke last week. My DH kept saying let's buy a new one, let's buy a bigger and better one. And I just sat there thinking of someone hauling my fridge to a landfill and I was like nope, I'm fixing it. It cost me $149. DH was like, that's it? Yep. He wanted to spend $1000+ for something that $149 fixed. I just did the same with a new car. DH was pushing to buy a new one. I was like, my van has a lot of life left in her. So I passed. I've been thinking more and more about what I'm bringing into my home. |
|
|
|
Post by jeremysgirl on Mar 10, 2019 21:08:27 GMT
Eh, societies and economies change. This is not a tragedy IMO. Personally, I'd rather see a main street or main gathering area that is vibrant with the arts, social gatherings, community service projects, etc. than with lots of retail shops. Human interaction based around the acquisition of more stuff is just not appealing to many people any more. Same here, Merge. But that doesn't bring in as much profits as the old mall model of import stuff from China, charge massive prices for it, ensure everyone is shopping as much as possible. And you know, we can't do anything unless it's all about profits, or the money invested will pick up and go elsewhere chasing bigger returns. Ain't much profits in "social gathering and community service" - esp. for and by those w/o much disposable income. Maybe part of the problem is that many of us don't have much disposable income and the things we do spend on is changing. I look around at my GenX friends and none of us, even those of us who are more educated than our parents, are doing financially better than our Boomer parents. Among my crowd, people would much rather have experience type fun with our money than have show place homes and cars which our parents seemed to place a lot of value on. At least mine did. My dad owns two cars! He would get itchy to buy a new car after three years. My mom and stepdad spent $40,000 on a kitchen remodel. We would rather throw a new coat of paint on the wall and call it good. My DH is only one in my circle with a car newer than 5 years old. I have enough clothes to last me about ten days, that's it. I don't need more. I would much rather spend the $60 per month for my highly relaxing facial and go out with my craft girls every Wednesday. This has been a fun discussion. I enjoy seeing all the theories and opinions. Keep em coming. |
|
|
|
Post by monklady123 on Mar 10, 2019 21:17:41 GMT
Too many would rather order online than actually get out of their home and go to a store. Yes, that would be me.  Recently I had to buy dog food, a new welcome mat for the front door, coconut water for my mother, a new band for my Fitbit, a new digital scale (the kind that weighs people), and a new battery for my kitchen food scale. What are the odds that all those things could be found in one brick and mortar store? I'd say none. So I'd have to go either after work when I'm exhausted, or on the weekend with all the other crowds, in our awful traffic, and traipse around from store to store hoping to find what I needed. Nope...not happening. Amazon to the rescue. The only thing I don't usually order online is shoes, unless I'm replacing a pair with exactly the same thing. I also need yarn for a project and I need to touch that to find the softest. But if I knew the yarn brand and weight that I needed I'd get that online also. |
|
|
|
Post by unknown pea on Mar 10, 2019 21:21:35 GMT
I'm really not surprised by any of this. It's been so frustrating trying to shop in stores over the last few years. Pick any store, walk in, and what's on the racks? Sizes XS and XXL. Shoes? No problem if you are a 6 1/2 or an 11. Need a bra? Great, we have size 32A and 38G available. So I wind up driving all that way to shop (45 minutes minimum for me to get to a mall) to turn around and be told by the employees "No we don't have any other sizes/styles/colors but you can order that online!" So yeah... I just save myself the hassle and extra gas expense and order it online to begin with. I think retailers could do a lot better if they paid attention and ordered more of the common sizes and styles, made the same discounts available in the store as are online, and actually took the time to merchandise their stores. So many stores these days look like glorified versions of Ross. It just isn't a pleasant shopping experience. all this. And please get rid of the blasting, annoying music. |
|
|
|
Post by workingclassdog on Mar 10, 2019 21:37:01 GMT
And yet the very very few times I go to the mall it is PACKED.. seriously packed. Got to park in the back 40.. and it is wall to wall people. Go figure.
|
|
|
|
Post by shessoaverage on Mar 10, 2019 21:38:22 GMT
I guess I'm a weirdo. I love going to the mall, just to watch the people and walk around. If you are looking for something specific, clothes-wise, there's a good chance you will find a suitable version of it. Unfortunately there's not a mall near us. I despise buying clothes online. I'm average height and weight, but my body must be warped, because nothing fits right. Hence my wardrobe is mostly shabby crap. Growing up, my father worked at a department store and literally everything on my body used to come from that store (employee discount - my parents had four kids). The clothes were stylish and tasteful and you could TRY THEM ON. My DH orders clothes online and is always sending them back because they don't fit, even though he is tall and thin.
Online shopping is good for things like shower door handles that are hard to find in person without searching through Lowe's, or specialty sewing stuff, since there aren't any quality brick and mortar sewing stores left.
Haha, I think I should have posted on the "What's bothering you" thread.
|
|
|
|
Post by tracyarts on Mar 11, 2019 2:31:23 GMT
This really bothers me. Quality has gone down so much. I wear a larger plus size, so choices are already limited. But 20 years ago I could still find natural fibers, diverse lines and labels, and quality workmanship in mass market retail stores. Now? The stores only carry their own brands. And there is so much synthetic blend fabric. Not in a good way either. Cheap, thin, clingy, stretchy blended knits. Low thread count shapeless blended wovens. All the shoes and handbags are vinyl. The jewelry is the cheapest dipped base metal, often with plastic instead of glass beads and stones. It's fast fashion quality garbage sold at specialty shop prices. I'd rather buy or make fewer items in nicer materials. And buy what I can't afford new, used. Shopping in brick and mortar stores is disappointing now. Except for higher end boutiques and upscale departments stores. While I appreciate convenience and bargains, I'm turned off by the shoddy quality of much merchandise now. I'm at the point where I'm acquiring much less, but it has to be good quality and add value to my life. I go to the store for something I need and often leave empty-handed because it's just stuff not worth buying. |
|
|
|
Post by jlynnbarth on Mar 11, 2019 7:04:56 GMT
I think subscription boxes ie.. stitch fix, Natalie attired, Trunk Club, trendsend etc... have also made shopping at a mall setting less enchanting. Why go to a store with horrible lighting, crappy mirrors and few size choices when you can give an on line stylist your measurements, fabric preferences , and style preferences. It’s mailed to you, you can try it on in the comfort of your home, if you don’t like it you put it in a mailer, shove it in your mailbox and send it back. Some charge a styling fee you can apply to anything you keep, some don’t charge one and shipping is free both ways. I know it’s changed my shopping habits.
I also have started shopping at online boutiques. I like the idea of purchasing from the small business owners rather than the big stores. Once you “know” the brands they sell, you have less chance of returns due to poor fit or quality.
|
|
|
|
Post by prapea on Mar 11, 2019 7:41:51 GMT
I cannot shop at Macys because the strong perfumes make me gag and bring me headaches.
I cannot shop at some of the big chain stores because of all the clutter on the floor.
I no longer shop at banana republic because they decided to make changes to the cut and quality.
I no longer shop at gap because - well I don’t want to wear see theough t-shirts.
I don’t like to wear torn jeans and I don’t like those ankle length jeans that look like they shrank (personal preference...judge me).
I like my tops that are not cheap looking.
I like to not spend $120 for a top when I can get a $120 top for $20 at nordstromrack or tjmaxx.
I have seen Charlotte Russe from outside and it never made me want to go inside.
Bring me quality back and bring me some decent stitching back and I will shop and spend at any store.
|
|
|
|
Post by ScrapbookMyLife on Mar 11, 2019 8:48:52 GMT
I am finding it frustrating, that more and more stores only have one or two cashiers.
I prefer stores that have one line, and next in line goes.
Hobby Lobby, Target, etc.. have multiple checkstands, I always seem to get behind someone who is going to argue the price of an item, digging through their purse for their debit card, or answers their phone mid-transaction therefore not paying attention and slowing things down, etc...
|
|
|
|
Post by myboysnme on Mar 11, 2019 11:41:04 GMT
What are the odds that all those things could be found in one brick and mortar store? I'd say none. So I'd have to go either after work when I'm exhausted, or on the weekend with all the other crowds, in our awful traffic, and traipse around from store to store hoping to find what I needed. Nope...not happening. Amazon to the rescue. Many good posts here but this resonates with me. This weekend I shopped for a few baby items to put in an infant's Easter basket. Found what I wanted on Amazon. Now I didn't find the EXACT thing I was looking for, but I cannot for the life of me think of a store I could go to that would have what I wanted. I imagined myself walking to the very back of Walmart Supercenter to the baby section and looking on the shelves and still not finding what I wanted. Instead, I browsed while I watched TV, hit order and that's it. My son's pants had shrunk in the dryer and I ordered him some from Amazon and they showed up at his house 2 days later. He lives 30 minutes away - even if I went to the store and bought some one of us would have to drive to drop them off. I still enjoy thrift shops, boutiques and antique stores, but in small doses. I just don't have the stamina to shop anymore. |
|
mallie
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,253
|
Post by mallie on Mar 11, 2019 14:52:55 GMT
I shop in person because I have given up buying clothes and shoes online.
Not once have I gotten the right shoe size or a comfortable fit, even when I buy my normal size. I even tried to buy a second pair of sneakers I loved -- same sneaker, same #, same size -- they got here and the labels were all correct and the shoe was about 1.5 sizes too small. Waste of time and effort.
And don't get me started on pants. There is no way I am going to try to buy them online ever again. I spent 6 months last year trying to find a pair of black jeans. I must have tried on over 30 pairs before I found ones I liked. I can only imagine the time I would have spent driving to the UPS Store to return jeans I tried to buy online.
The quality of the clothing is shoddy b because the most important thing to the consumer is price. I can tell you from having worked retail, that even when there is something well made and is well priced, customers will come up and try and dicker with you, harangue you, etc, to get a lower price. It's all about price.
|
|
|
|
Post by FuzzyMutt on Mar 11, 2019 20:01:14 GMT
My guy still has an iPhone 6. He needed a new case for it.
I spent 3 damn hours yesterday stopping into 2 Best Buy stores, 2 Verizon stores, Apple store, and eventually the dreaded mall to buy a phone case. And- I hate the case I ended up buying. I should have just ordered online to begin with. Lesson learned.
|
|
|
|
Post by lisacharlotte on Mar 11, 2019 20:04:53 GMT
If I can buy an item online I do. However that doesn't work for clothes and shoes. Those items I have to try on every time. The few times I’ve bought online I had to return due to fit issues. It’s not worth it to try on and return, try on and return, try on and return.
|
|
|
|
Post by chitchatgirl on Mar 11, 2019 20:35:06 GMT
I actually love to shop. Except I RARELY find clothes in a store. When you're tall, plus sized, and "built like an Amazon" its just useless. Especially pants. I grew up in the 90s before online shopping was a thing. When online shopping really caught on, I could actually order things that fit me and I felt good about wearing. Huge difference! I was no longer stuck with the limited options that my little town had which basically amounted to Walmart. And I freely admit that Amazon is my "spirit animal".
However, anything home related I like to buy in a store. I'm very much a nester and I have to love it and really feel it before I buy it.
I'm a millenial. When I was just starting out on my own and before I got married, I didn't have the money to shop. It was going to rent, car payments, student loans (and I went to a cheap college) and ramen noodles. I was adamant that I would not ask my parents for money. I don't see how millenials can afford to live, pay rent, and have student loans and retailers expect them to go on shopping sprees. Online shopping created more supply and the demand was spread out because of additional options.
|
|
|
|
Post by angieh1996 on Mar 11, 2019 20:42:51 GMT
I do a lot of online shopping. I hate walking the stores and they never have the size I need or want. Plus I can't handle all the stupid that seems to be out there these days. I like the comfort of home. I love ordering my groceries online so we don't impulse buy and I can just pick them up and be done.
|
|
|
|
Post by ladytrisha on Mar 11, 2019 20:50:09 GMT
We've all but stopped shopping at a B&M, including Target.
Amazon is just too easy, i know where to get my clothes, I have a favorite shoe I love (Brooks sneakers) and I finally found black in my size so TADA, work shoes!
I think retail owns some of this by cutting down on clerks who could or would help and playing fast and loose with pricing/sales/coupons. It just got easier and easier to order online.
The damn music is what's also stopped us eating out (along with microwaved/reheated food). We treat ourselves to Starbucks - we go in to see our barista crew. Funny thing is that it's the #1 location in town, but the mall it's in front of, is in another foreclosure (#4 I think). Our mall is now the home of the first Apple store to close in the U.S. - ooh aah. We're so proud. They built a mall on top of a hill and didn't put a roof on it - and then added to the fun by making the parking spaces too narrow. And despite years of suggestions, they ignore each one. Oh well, can't fix stupid.
|
|
|
|
Post by hop2 on Mar 11, 2019 22:31:35 GMT
Ok, why are so many of us not finding our sizes in stores? We have both tall people & short people complaint here. What is thier target market then?
|
|
|
|
Post by refugeepea on Mar 11, 2019 22:46:37 GMT
Loving something is no longer a reason to buy either. The #1 consideration is where am I going to store/place this followed by will I truly use it. Found the ability to be brutally honest with myself. That's where I am too. I think it comes from 20 years of marriage and the kid crap that accumulates. I've never loved shopping except for crafts and books. Owning a kindle and having access to an online library that has a good selection changed everything. My local library is tiny. I've designated an area for my scrap stuff and I don't want to expand more.
For me living ina rural area where a trip to the mall is too time consuming, online shopping is a life saver. It’s sad really.
I try to buy online as much as possible. I find a brand of shoes and jeans I like and replace when they wear out. I'm sick of trying to find quality shirts. There's little difference between the "nice" chain stores and the big box low end chain stores.
The only store I like to frequent is a local outlet store. I've bought brand new overstock Target clothing for my son. It is well organized and much better pricing than thrift stores. Last week I bought five pairs of pants for $5.00.
|
|
|
|
Post by papersilly on Mar 11, 2019 22:53:19 GMT
my go-to-the-mall-and-stroll-around days are far behind me. if i have to go into a store, i must have a specific reason. i just don't have the patience to window shop anymore. that's what internet browsing is for.
if retail stores are failing, it's hard to tell because they keep building more and more retail space around here. but then again, lots of those spaces are devoted to dining. it seems like more restaurants are opening now that food delivery service is expanding and millennials don't cook at home. clothing stores, not so much.
|
|
|
|
Post by peasapie on Mar 12, 2019 1:15:34 GMT
I guess this is why Elizabeth Warren wants to break up Amazon et al. It's impossible to compete because they control such a huge share of the market - now including food.
|
|
