6 Brands That Might Not Make It Through 2015?

HecticArt

Administrator
Oct 19, 2008
53,971
19,941
168
Toledo, Ohio
I was just about to post this.
I'm surprised that my local Sears isn't on the list.

I had noticed that they took my advice and sold Craftsman too.
 

scotchandcigar

All I wanted was some steak
Feb 13, 2009
29,206
23,631
168
Vacationland
My local Sears gave-up their 2nd floor to Dick's Sporting Goods. This forced the Sears to finally clean-up and rearrange their 1st floor, and it actually looks much better.
 

kingchuck69

Joker! Joker! Joker!
Oct 11, 2008
6,487
4,455
168
Grand Rapids, MI
chuck69.com
My local Sears here in Grand Rapids is closing. It was one of the original tenants at Woodland Mall when it opened in 1968. Thankfully, the mall is doing quite well and the owners will soon announce its replacement. It's two stories, so I'm guessing Younkers.

The last time I was at Sears, I was looking for a pump for my air mattress and the people there were anything but knowledgeable. One associate, an old Bosnian woman screamed at me. Ugh.

Where I grew up in northern Michigan in the town of Acme, the Kmart there is closing, leaving Traverse City with only one location at the Cherryland Center (formerly a mall, now an outdoor power center). It was built at the site of the Tanz Haus, a popular venue for rock artists in the 1960s. Most of the acts that played there were unknowns, but one guy that played there did make it big: Bob Segar.
 
  • Like
Reactions: semipenguin

kingchuck69

Joker! Joker! Joker!
Oct 11, 2008
6,487
4,455
168
Grand Rapids, MI
chuck69.com
Just checked the website and no Sears and Kmart closing in Arizona.

My Mom lives in Phoenix and a ton of Kmarts have closed around her.

UPDATE: Woodland has announced a $100 million expansion where the Sears property will be redeveloped. Word has it that Von Maur will take over part of the Sears property and several other retailers such as Dick's Sporting Goods and The Container Store are all involved, too.
 

JHDK

Release Robin's Bra
Oct 11, 2008
31,290
14,817
168
42
Hyrule
Staples to close 70 stores nationwide | Daily Mail Online

they got fucked when the staples/office max merger was denied. my pops was watching that closely a year ago cause he was thinking about getting their stock.

i guess it would have formed brick and mortar monopoly but with amazon as such a juggernaut for office supplies and everything else i thought it would have been allowed since they are clearly competing.
 

Jon

Well-Known Member
Dec 16, 2008
16,013
5,784
168
51
Payless Shoesource files for Chapter 11, will close nearly 400 stores - MarketWatch

Amazon, Walmart, Zappos, Crocs, all selling shoes for much less than you'd pay Payless (even though they were your cheapest brick and mortar option outside of Wally World.)

I got tired of being asked about their rewards program every time I made my once every few months trip to get shoes. I buy off Amazon now. I think a lot of people are doing the same.
 

scotchandcigar

All I wanted was some steak
Feb 13, 2009
29,206
23,631
168
Vacationland
I don't buy cheap shoes.
I'm not a snob (though nearly everyone thinks I am), but I physically can't handle Payless; the level of plastic fumes in the store rivals a Korean nail salon.

Also, my impression is that they don't sell name-brand shoes. And while I'm not a fan of any chain shoe store, I find that DSW sells name-brand shoes.
 
  • Like
Reactions: semipenguin

memebag

Top Brass, ADVP
Oct 11, 2008
17,404
5,808
168
Lake Huntzing
DSW sells brand names, but for Johnston and Murphy at least, it's old stock, last year's shoes that have been shipped to the outlet stores. I'd rather go to the Johnston and Murphy outlet store. They have more than shoes.
 

Jon

Well-Known Member
Dec 16, 2008
16,013
5,784
168
51
I saw an article that said that spending habits have changed. 20% less on retail, 20% more on restaurants and travel. It's the social media effect: spend more on things you can post about online.
And probably more of a minimalism effect where you spend more on experiences than 'things'. Going to a nice restaurant, or a vacation, or a concert is all about the experience. Where if you buy a new phone, it's a thing, that'll eventually break.
 

memebag

Top Brass, ADVP
Oct 11, 2008
17,404
5,808
168
Lake Huntzing
I saw an article that said that spending habits have changed. 20% less on retail, 20% more on restaurants and travel. It's the social media effect: spend more on things you can post about online.
And maybe spend less on retail because of discounting. The internet facilitates optimal commodity pricing, the "race to the bottom".

But high end retail is booming. Houston's hoity-toity mall has grown hoitier and toitier throughout the rise of Amazon, and spawned neighboring high end centers.

People who do not need discounts still want to touch stuff before they buy it.