South Dekalb claims online competition forcing the closure of big box stores (Atlanta: sales, 2014)

[jhtrico1850]

DeKalb store closures are evidence of a nationwide trend

Sam’s Club is just the latest big box retailer to shutter in Stonecrest. At the mall across the street, both Sears and Kohl’s are gone. Last month, it was announced that a Babies “R” Us in the area would close. A Target closed in 2014. Elsewhere in south DeKalb, Publix, Walmart Neighborhood Market and Kroger have shut their doors.

“We see the issue, and the issue is not south DeKalb,” Johnson said. “The issue is e-commerce and retail.”

[Carolina Knight]

I have read about Kroger and Publix closing stores or in the process of closing stores. I doubt online competition would accept full responsibility. Affected stores are in areas that have become or will become grocery deserts.

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by jhtrico1850

DeKalb store closures are evidence of a nationwide trend

Sam’s Club is just the latest big box retailer to shutter in Stonecrest. At the mall across the street, both Sears and Kohl’s are gone. Last month, it was announced that a Babies “R” Us in the area would close. A Target closed in 2014. Elsewhere in south DeKalb, Publix, Walmart Neighborhood Market and Kroger have shut their doors.

“We see the issue, and the issue is not south DeKalb,” Johnson said. “The issue is e-commerce and retail.”

Then why are national chains still opening new stores in all these mixed-use, more urban designed developments?

[Big L]

Originally Posted by jhtrico1850

DeKalb store closures are evidence of a nationwide trend

Sam’s Club is just the latest big box retailer to shutter in Stonecrest. At the mall across the street, both Sears and Kohl’s are gone. Last month, it was announced that a Babies “R” Us in the area would close. A Target closed in 2014. Elsewhere in south DeKalb, Publix, Walmart Neighborhood Market and Kroger have shut their doors.

“We see the issue, and the issue is not south DeKalb,” Johnson said. “The issue is e-commerce and retail.”

Online shopping would explain why stores like Target, Kohl's, and the like are suffering. The grocery stores seems like a different issue entirely. That is not just a South DeKalb thing since I have seen a few grocery stores in other areas close as well. It seems that Kroger and Publix are closing stores when there is another store within close proximity. My guess would be that the underperforming stores are being closed, but that could be misleading since I have rarely seen an empty Kroger or Publix anywhere in Metro Atlanta.


They closed the Kroger at Hwy 78 and Bethany Church Road in Gwinnett. However, that made sense due to the fact that there is another Kroger about 3 miles away at Hwy 124 and Everson Road. The closed Kroger that was at Rainbow Drive and Candler Road in DeKalb is a little over 3.5 miles away from the closest one at Flat Shoals Parkway and Flakes Mill Road. However, income and demographics are at play when you are talking about a person that may now have to catch a bus, a ride, or Uber to the grocery store when it was once just a decent walk away.

[tikigod311]

Originally Posted by cqholt

Then why are national chains still opening new stores in all these mixed-use, more urban designed developments?

Most, in not all of these are high end retail, so those customers aren't too concerned with saving a few potential bucks by shopping on Amazon. Only high end retailers can afford to put a store at PCM, Krog, Avalon, WSP, etc.

Also, clothing B&M stores aren't going away. Unless I have experience w/ a specific brand and fit, it's a bad idea to order online as I will almost certainly have to return it.

[PKCorey]

The Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market on Covington Highway was just 4 years young. The Publix on Memorial Drive closed a couple years back as well.

The same area getting hit over and over. I guess, the incomes in the area have plummeted as well.

[OneDawg]

Originally Posted by PKCorey

The Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market on Covington Highway was just 4 years young. The Publix on Memorial Drive closed a couple years back as well.

Maybe they didn't meet their sales quotas?

[demonta4]

Originally Posted by OneDawg

Maybe they didn't meet their sales quotas?

Walmart closed nearly all of their neighborhood marts. There are Walmart stores that close only a year after opening without any thoughts toward the community affected. As for other grocery stores, Kroger seems to do business everywhere, regardless of income level. Publix seems to perfer higher income levels even if the stores themselves are doing good (Like the Lovejoy Publix). I'd honestly like to see more small neighborhood groceries ran by locals. East Atlanta seems like the perfect spot for one.

[PKCorey]

Originally Posted by demonta4

Walmart closed nearly all of their neighborhood marts. There are Walmart stores that close only a year after opening without any thoughts toward the community affected. As for other grocery stores, Kroger seems to do business everywhere, regardless of income level. Publix seems to perfer higher income levels even if the stores themselves are doing good (Like the Lovejoy Publix). I'd honestly like to see more small neighborhood groceries ran by locals. East Atlanta seems like the perfect spot for one.

That was Walmart Express not Walmart Neighborhood Market but they have closed about 3-4 in the metro area in the last couple years. 2 in Cobb, this one in Dekalb and I can't recall the other location at this point.

[A-Town Down]

I really think the Publix on Memorial Drive closing had something to do with the Walmart that opened down the street a few years ago. I believe Publix said it was due to declining sales, but I don't really buy that since there were always people there. Same with the Kroger on North Hairston that recently closed. Granted they were much closer in proximity to Walmart then the Publix was, but it was always a good number of shoppers in there despite Walmart being across the street.

It would suck not having any grocer around, but Walmart. I find myself disliking the company after they damn near bragged about paying their employees bonuses due to tax cuts ($1,000 for 20 years of service? Really?!), only to fire the employees of Sam's Club with no notice. Good ole' trickle down economics.

Anyway, I hope SE DeKalb can prosper.