What to do with Tower Place Mall (Columbus, Cincinnati: sales, neighborhood)

[TomJones123]

Originally Posted by flashes1

Yep, it says it all about book retailing in the traditional sense. All other retailers face the same threat from the internet. Best Buy is nearing extinction, too. Grocers are about the only type of retail that hasn't been hit hard by it....but they're facing their own set of problems.

I appreciate you taking the time to get me in the loop. I usually get my computer gear from Newegg since I build custom build my computers. I'll read around a little today to get up to speed.

[deg1114]

What is left in Tower Place today? I know I Love Cincinnati Shoppe is still there, TJ Maxx, Gold Star, and Slammin' Burger. Is there still a Subway there? I believe there is an art gallery too.

Here's a story from earlier in the year about turning Tower Place into a, "startup mall".

Tower Place pitched as ?startup mall? - Business Courier

[kjbrill]

Originally Posted by flashes1

Yep, it says it all about book retailing in the traditional sense. All other retailers face the same threat from the internet. Best Buy is nearing extinction, too. Grocers are about the only type of retail that hasn't been hit hard by it....but they're facing their own set of problems.

Grocers enjoy one position other retailers do not. Their products are bulk. Just look at the quantity you bring home from the next visit to the grocery store. Thus it not conducive to shipping or home delivery. There is too much bulk and weight involved compared to value. I have a cousin who left a very good job at J.C. Penny's some years ago for a position in a startup up home-delivery grocery operation. They were convinced online ordering of groceries was the wave of the future. However, once the customers got the actual product and then the bill they went down the tubes faster than a water park ride. My cousin was lucky, J.C. Penny hired her back.

For other products I do agree. Online ordering is just increasing. My wife and I order just about everything outside of groceries online. Clothes, definitely. Furniture items, definitely. Not having to maintain the cost of a retail store definitely favors the online sellers. Their discount of the price plus the lack of sales tax definitely counteracts any shipping charges. But I have to believe there is a comeuppence in all of this. Not charging for sales tax is a loophole which will be closed. But the burden has to be placed on the seller, not the purchaser. Simple method, where is the product being shipped to? It is then up to the seller to collect the appropriate sales tax for the transaction. The sellers will resist as that is an accounting nightmare for them, which will definitely increase their costs. But the fact is nothing comes free, there is a cost of doing business.

As time goes on, I do feel online sales will become more and more significant. The cost of maintaining retail store outlets is just increasing. As a consumer I could care less where I purchase. The cost of going to a physical retail strore keeps increasing, not withstanding the harassment of even having to deal there in the first place. The employees are often rude and treat you like you should welcome the fact they are there to serve you rather than the other way around.

The ability to produce very accurate and graphical depictions of items available for online sales is changing several industries. Those who are adopting a very liberal return policy in case you make a mistake in my mind will be the winners in the long run. If they remove any concern you might have over a purchase with a liberal return policy, why not?

[Sarah Perry]

Originally Posted by flashes1

Yep, it says it all about book retailing in the traditional sense. All other retailers face the same threat from the internet. Best Buy is nearing extinction, too. Grocers are about the only type of retail that hasn't been hit hard by it....but they're facing their own set of problems.

The bookselling business has an extra layer of vulnerability, because probably many of the already limited number of those lunchtime browsers who were actually thinking about buying a book went back to their computers and bought it online after just having a look at it in the bookstore. The last thing I'd do would be to try to make a go of a bookstore in the already challenging retail environment of most downtown areas.

[Joeytraveler]

Lets not forget about the Ohio bookstore on main st. If you've never been check it out ASAP!

[TomJones123]

Originally Posted by Joeytraveler

Lets not forget about the Ohio bookstore on main st. If you've never been check it out ASAP!

Now that I can work with. Thanks for the recommendation!


http://www.ohiobookstore.net/

[neilworms2]

Wow this is really bad but i never even knew we had a downtown mall.

I didn't learn about it until after a year of living in Cincinnati! It was helpful for a year or two until it started to decline - way more convenient to the University than any of the other malls. At least when I was living there it wasn't that well advertised - though I was a college student who didn't watch much tv and spend a lot of my time studying.

Also, its kind of sad that Cincinnati was so late to catch on to urbanism, it would have been awesome to be at a downtown Borders there. Man, I do miss those stores - they were more fun to browse and grab a coffee at than to actually buy anything - though I understand why they've gone under.

[kjbrill]

Originally Posted by neilworms2

Also, its kind of sad that Cincinnati was so late to catch on to urbanism, it would have been awesome to be at a downtown Borders there. Man, I do miss those stores - they were more fun to browse and grab a coffee at than to actually buy anything - though I understand why they've gone under.

Yes, if you don't buy anything they will go under. They are not just there for your entertainment.

[TomJones123]

Originally Posted by neilworms2

Also, its kind of sad that Cincinnati was so late to catch on to urbanism, it would have been awesome to be at a downtown Borders there. Man, I do miss those stores - they were more fun to browse and grab a coffee at than to actually buy anything - though I understand why they've gone under.

I used to goto Borders and Barnes and Nobles back in the day. I used to love to go there, grab a coffee, browse and read a while. Most times I would buy computer reference books. Anymore, I just get an ebook or use Kindle, Amazon, etc. Book sellers have taken the biggest hit because of the internet. I just simply don't by traditional books any longer.

[neilworms2]

Yes, if you don't buy anything they will go under. They are not just there for your entertainment.

Which is why I worded it that way Everyone I talked to who used to work at Borders understands why it went under.

Still would have liked the experience at least - those places caused a lot of street activity around them. I did buy a few things there too, better selection than B&N.