If Sears goes under, what will it mean for our malls? (Chandler: real estate, credit card)

[KurtAZ]

Well...better go trade in all the Craftsman tools you have for new ones.

[man4857]

Originally Posted by ElleTea

Malls are dead with or without Sears.

I thought all of the Sears stores closed already anyway, that's how important that store is to me.

I'm wondering what's causing the general shift away from physical stores to online shopping.

Are people working more and having less free time than compared to 2-3 decades ago? Are people more lazy and just want everything delivered to their front door? Have big families that they want to devote time to and don't have enough time for shopping? Bored/annoyed with the whole shopping experience?

Seems like most of the retailers that are still alive are shifting towards delivery-based services. Or relying on the fact that they can get you what you want, without you having to browse around in the store.

[ShampooBanana]

Originally Posted by KurtAZ

Well...better go trade in all the Craftsman tools you have for new ones.

Ha ha. Actually, I'm sure they'll license off Craftsman and Kenmore to somewhere else as those brands are actually still fairly popular. One of the few things left that Sears still had going for them.

[phetaroi]

Originally Posted by Pink Jazz

With Sears likely to declare bankruptcy, I wonder what could it mean for our malls? I could potentially see Desert Sky Mall, Paradise Valley Mall, and Superstition Springs Center being hit hard if they lose Sears. However, I have been told that the Chandler Fashion Center Sears is one of the most profitable locations in the United States, and I wonder who can fill the spot if Sears goes under (Bloomingdale's perhaps?).

The last time I was in a Sears (not in Arizona) it was on a Saturday, and the mall was reasonably busy. I walked both levels of Sears and saw less than 10 customers. Sears has not been a "draw" for a long time.

[PhoenixSomeday]

Originally Posted by man4857

I'm wondering what's causing the general shift away from physical stores to online shopping.

Are people working more and having less free time than compared to 2-3 decades ago? Are people more lazy and just want everything delivered to their front door? Have big families that they want to devote time to and don't have enough time for shopping? Bored/annoyed with the whole shopping experience?

Seems like most of the retailers that are still alive are shifting towards delivery-based services. Or relying on the fact that they can get you what you want, without you having to browse around in the store.

Stores are good for look / touch / feel; the sort of thing you can't get from pictures on a website or videos on Youtube. But more often than not, the stuff with the best ratings, reviews, testing, etc. are only found online. These days, aside from consumables, physical stores are more of an emergency "I need this right now and can't wait 2 days for shipping" thing, for us. So order a good one online so you'll have it for next time, but get the cheap crap at the store for the issue at hand.

[KurtAZ]

Originally Posted by man4857

I'm wondering what's causing the general shift away from physical stores to online shopping.

Are people working more and having less free time than compared to 2-3 decades ago? Are people more lazy and just want everything delivered to their front door? Have big families that they want to devote time to and don't have enough time for shopping? Bored/annoyed with the whole shopping experience?

Seems like most of the retailers that are still alive are shifting towards delivery-based services. Or relying on the fact that they can get you what you want, without you having to browse around in the store.

Well...I can answer for our situation at least.

First thing is convenience. Let's say I need to replace the filter in my humidifier. Do I run around trying to find a store that carries that particular brand...or order it on Amazon and have it here in 2 days? My son needs new jeans and he wants the exact same as what he has but a size bigger. Unless our daughter also wants to go look at what Tillys has on sale, I'll just order them online. If it is a more immediate need...we'll go to the store. Lowe's/Home Depot is a great example of that, you really can't go ordering the correct color paint online or get an extra widget for a project when you just broke/misplaced the one you had.

Second...online retailers have more inventory. Brick and mortar shops only stock a certain number of sizes in clothing. If we need (as in the above example) 3 pairs of jeans in a particular size...the local store may only have 2. (Yes, my son is either very particular or extremely boring in his clothing preferences). They may have a shirt in a different color than the local store (Pink Jazz will appreciate that when buying those Pink Izods).

Third, except when there is an immediate need, most online retailers will have your goods to your mailing address within a couple of days. I know most of us remember the old "4-6 weeks" shipping a few years ago but now that is only if you buy something from a Chinese retailer on EBay. Take gifts into consideration...I don't even have to personally ship a gift to a family/friend, I just put in their mailing address and ask for giftwrap option when checking out. We have had Prime for a couple of years and it pays for itself EVERY Christmas.

Long and short of it...we do go shopping every once in a while but a majority of our purchases are online. Except food...I still can't bring myself to do that. If you aren't an invalid or in some way incapacitated...grocery shopping online is just lazy.

[DetroitN8V]

Originally Posted by man4857

I'm wondering what's causing the general shift away from physical stores to online shopping.

Are people working more and having less free time than compared to 2-3 decades ago? Are people more lazy and just want everything delivered to their front door? Have big families that they want to devote time to and don't have enough time for shopping? Bored/annoyed with the whole shopping experience?

Seems like most of the retailers that are still alive are shifting towards delivery-based services. Or relying on the fact that they can get you what you want, without you having to browse around in the store.

You're really wondering why online shopping is more popular? Price, information and convenience. That was a tough one.

[observer53]

Originally Posted by Pink Jazz

I was told the Chandler Fashion Center location is one of Sears' best performing locations. I would not be surprised if Arrowhead Towne Center is also among one of their better performing locations. I think Chandler Fashion Center could possibly attract an upscale retailer if Sears goes under, considering the other anchors there.

Well, whatever you were told, the Chandler Fashion Center store is on the closure list, as is Desert Sky and what I presume to be near Superstition Springs (6515 E Southern, Mesa)

[MN-Born-n-Raised]

I go to malls at least once every 2 to 3 years. Really... I bought 5 things online just this week. I haven't stepped inside of a Sears in about a decade. I'm part of their problem.

[man4857]

Originally Posted by DetroitN8V

You're really wondering why online shopping is more popular? Price, information and convenience. That was a tough one.

Not really just about price, information, and convenience. If that was the primary motivating factor, online shopping should have grown exponentially compared to what it is now even in the days of slower Internet. We've had affordable personal computers, internet access, and accompanying logistics networks to deliver goods to homes (UPS/Fedex/DHL), and the internet browsers for the better part of 2 decades now. (even if you consider the old school dial up modems, they did exist already 20-ish years ago).