Four years later, Office Depot closing Downtown store (Pittsburgh, Liberty: health insurance, co-op)

[Goinback2011]

Bricks and mortar retail is disappearing because of the internet, period. Think about it.

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by Goinback2011

Bricks and mortar retail is disappearing because of the internet, period.

Yep, at least for bulky, durable, commodity-type products.

[FreightTrainRunning]

I'd assume that the overall market for office supplies has gone done in the last few years. At work, we have a big standing cabinet of folders, staplers, paper-clips, etc that almost never gets used because mostly everything is electronic these days. I use a stapler like once a year.

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by GeneW

I'd assume that the overall market for office supplies has gone done in the last few years. At work, we have a big standing cabinet of folders, staplers, paper-clips, etc that almost never gets used because mostly everything is electronic these days. I use a stapler like once a year.

I believe office superstores got a brief reprieve when they were selling a lot of computers and related supplies, but that is a very competitive channel and there is no particular reason why it needs to be conducted through large stores.

[UKyank]

I can't see that particular area very conducive to retail being that most of the time it's basically a packed queue for all the downtown buses.

[gg]

Originally Posted by Goinback2011

Bricks and mortar retail is disappearing because of the internet, period. Think about it.

I agree. A couple of clicks and the item will just be shipped to you, many times at a lower cost. I think that business model is slowly dying. Just put a big warehouse in the middle of nowhere and have a website.

Colleges are up next. The huge debt kids are starting life out with and massive maintenance of buildings/grounds will force online degrees. Less teachers needed, way less administration and wildly lower tuition. Also the Chancellors can make massive salaries, because there will be so much less waste. All that is needed is ONE reputable college to see what the future holds and offer it. Empty college campuses are going to be the result, or at least a huge reduction of on campus population. It is going to happen, the question is when? This will have a huge impact on Pittsburgh. I really feel it will happen within the next 20 years. That isn't very far off.

[Paint It Pink]

Originally Posted by alleghenyangel

Okay, Sak's left. Office Depot is leaving. Who wants to predict when Macy's and Burlington will check out?

Have you been to Burlington lately? It's an oversized Salvation Army store.

I learned the Office Depot was going to close last Friday, when I ran there for envelopes (office just ran out and needed to mail something ASAP) and the store looked absolutely looted. There was already practically nothing left- including envelopes. :\

It's a shame that, of ALL PLACES, a store based on office products, in an office-setting like Downtown, would go out.

I'm shocked Burlington and Macy's haven't fled yet. I don't know how Macy's stays open.

[youngabe]

Originally Posted by greg42

I wonder how much of this is just Office Depot. They also closed their store on McKnight Road, so it's not just downtown.

In our little office we usually order stuff, we don't need much, don't need it often. Although there are not a lot of retail stores for office supplies anymore, there are a lot more competitors in delivering such supplies to businesses. Apparently there just isn't enough demand for emergency supplies at a store downtown.

I was wondering about the McKnight store. The blurb they released didn't mention it. So, there's my answer! Maybe this is a bit more Office Depot related than we think. But, it does seem as if you aren't a food establishment, making it in Downtown Pittsburgh is difficult.

I like the idea of shopping in town, etc and I work Downtown. But, I must say, with parking being an issue and public transporation being virtually useless around here, it's easier for me to jump in my vehicle and be at the nearest suburban store in minutes. No parking woes, good hours, etc.

[Mtl-Cns]

This is really no big loss -- these giant office supply superstores seem like a relic anyways. I honestly don't know how the giant Staples or Office Depots in the suburbs even stay afloat. They're probably all going to go the way of Borders/B&N in the next few years.

What downtown needs is more specialty retail. What they've done near market square with the men's stores is a good model. Gotta say I really hope the Macy's doesn't close though. It's pretty busy during the week, and I try to support it whenever I can.

[Debbie1125]

Originally Posted by Caladium

But what about Dunder Mifflin?

Damn, you beat me to it. I was going to say I heard Dunder Mifflin was moving in that location.

lol