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The Death of the Department Store Can’t be Blamed on the Internet
The retail experience is ever-changing. Department stores have been staples of malls and shopping centers, but these stores seem to be closing at alarming rates. JC Penney appears to be the biggest victim in recent years, but other stores are in danger. Sears is farther along in the closure process while Macy’s is heading in a similar direction.
People are quick to blame online shopping, or they might blame “millennials,” but there are many elements contributing to a change on buyer habits. It seems department stores aren’t really trying to combat the changes challenging their existence. Now they find themselves with more stores than customers need.
The truth is, department stores are closing because we don’t need them. Customers aren’t shopping there because they’re not offering reasons, and the cost of maintaining these massive stores outweighs the profits. There are many shortcomings in the current department store model, but there also may be a ray of hope trickling through.
Is The Internet to Blame?
Over the past few decades, e-commerce has become commonplace. Amazon has become a giant, influencing what it means to be an online retailer. For department stores, they’re feeling the impact of an online shift, but are they really competing…
