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One thing I can never figure out is why anyone living in a city with stores available wouldn't choose to go into the stores to look at it, poke at it, try it out. Yeah, I know people always talk about how busy they are, but you'd think they'd take their expenditures seriously.
For one thing unless going into store to purchase you are wasting sales people's time going in and asking 1000 questions and not buying a GD thing.
Sales people have always had to deal with "window shoppers" and time wasters such as bored housewives and chuckleheaded females. But now in internet era things have hit a whole new level. This is especially true for white goods such as appliances, or electronics. It is one reason why you really don't see well compensated and or educated sales people on floors anymore. Just a bunch of kids and others working for minimum wage or barely above.
Same really applies across the board from books rolling on down to music (for those that still buy physical media such as CDs or whatever).
One thing I can never figure out is why anyone living in a city with stores available wouldn't choose to go into the stores to look at it, poke at it, try it out. Yeah, I know people always talk about how busy they are, but you'd think they'd take their expenditures seriously.
Some people really are busy. For example if I need to get an ethernet cable, where would I go to get it? I would have to travel somewhere away from home and that would be at minimum, 30 minutes of travel time.
Online, I can't touch and feel a product, but I can review the reviews. I never look at anything that isn't Prime and 5 stars. Then I read the reviews and based on that feedback, I make my choice. I'm rarely disappointed in the product I end up with.
Some people really are busy. For example if I need to get an ethernet cable, where would I go to get it? I would have to travel somewhere away from home and that would be at minimum, 30 minutes of travel time.
Online, I can't touch and feel a product, but I can review the reviews. I never look at anything that isn't Prime and 5 stars. Then I read the reviews and based on that feedback, I make my choice. I'm rarely disappointed in the product I end up with.
Rite Aid sells ethernet cables, along with printer supplies (mostly ink) and tons of other things.
the other day I needed an 6 outlet extension cord. I went to my local hardware store, there were no prices on it but i figured how much could they possibly charge, got to the register, and it was $16!... and cash only. I was already there and needed it so I just paid it. but sure enough I went home and checked on amazon and they had the exact same one for $3.
the other day I needed an 6 outlet extension cord. I went to my local hardware store, there were no prices on it but i figured how much could they possibly charge, got to the register, and it was $16!... and cash only. I was already there and needed it so I just paid it. but sure enough I went home and checked on amazon and they had the exact same one for $3.
Never again.
I never trust places that don't put prices up. You got bait and switch.
NYC has lost alot of its character and uniqueness... and im not sure what can be done about it. I don't think it's greedy LL's anymore, might have been the case before, but NYC in general is just too expensive. Store owners can't live here anymore. And now we're getting to the point where even much of banking can be done online too. It seems banks aren't going to come in and save the LL's anymore.
Not sure what the solution is really.
Easy: Lower property values and lower rent. Correct to fair market value based on demand.
I think the whole model of retail stores was built up during the baby boom. People just cannot afford the luxury anymore. So the retail stores that are thriving now are near the high luxury customers who are more like upper upper class?
I've heard of a new mall being built in Miami. They plan to make it like a mini theme park with attractions other than just retail. If you think about it, a lot of retail stores really are boring.
Eating out at restaurants was also a luxury before the baby boom too and I find it odd so many people still eat out as frequently as they do.
A good model would be Chelsea Market. Small shop in shops, office space, restaurants, etc.
Apparel and Footwear stores need to transition to a showroom model. No inventory just samples of the merchandise so people can test and then buy in store so it can be drop-shipped to their home or delivered back to the store so they can pick-up.
Also, retail stores should create partnerships to split the cost, increase foot traffic, etc.
Nike+Levis+Away luggage = 1 retail store.
Lacoste+Puma+3x1 Denim = 1 retail store.
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