The Future of Brick and Mortar Shopping

I was just reading an online article on more retail store closings and the decline of malls with online shopping a major, but not only impact. I know not to long ago wetshaving saw many efforts shut down from online one man efforts to a few longstanding products. I refuse to patronise an unamed online giant both for their abusive labor practises and collusion with government eavesdropping on our web use and spending habits. I know the only constant is change, but hope some things survive like the Bristlecone Pine and Galapagos Tortoise.
I would be interested to hear from our merchants with a B&M presence how they are faring, any strategies or promotions succeeding or failed and your thoughts in general?

uh, I was one of their first generation employees after butting heads with the CA governor over signing off an archaeological site as insignificant.) They were and are anti labor and once achieving 1000 stores and a presence in all fifty states and Canada ( buying out another retailer and announcing it with 'Homer' dressed as a mountie) and eliminating countless smaller stores got rid of all us overpaid workers. I loved watching that shmuck Blank walk onto the field and the Falcons get routed.
I'm talking shaving, not big box.

I loved watching that shmuck Blank walk onto the field and the Falcons get routed.
I'm talking shaving, not big box.

They didn't really get routed as much as they did fall apart and lose to the biggest comeback in SB history. I agree about Blank though lol.

I'm not sure which store you're talking about but having Homer dressed a s a Mountie is a sacrilege. I assume you're online giant must be Amazon - I don't get those guys. I've been able to find products that sell for $10-15 listed for sale on Amazon for hundreds. Whats up with that? Who would buy that ?

Brick and mortars are curious too. A few years ago Target came up to Canada amidst great fanfare and expectations. Many Canadians have shopped at Target in the US so there was some expectation that we'd now be in line for some of those great prices. Well, that wasn't the case. The president of Target Canada went on the record as saying that Canadians shouldn't expect the same great prices they see in the US as they would price in accordance with local conditions - they didn't undercut anybody. So after 2 years of poor product selection and high prices the company pulled out of Canada, essentially declaring bankruptcy pursuant to the Company Creditors Arrangement Act which is similar to Chapter 11 in US. They left a raft of landlords and other trade creditors in the lurch, took a $4 1/2 Billion write down and beat it over the border. Surprisingly Canadian shoppers weren't the gullible rubes they took us for.

https://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/22/reale....html?_r=0

When I lived in Bellingham, WA there were TONS of Canadians that would come down to the mall and shop. The parking lot garbage cans were filled with receipts, price tags, and shopping bags. They also seemed to buy a ton of dairy products.

They didn't copy their US model. Prices were higher & low inventory. They weren't going to make a profit until 2021. Of course a failure but the company was smart to cut their losses.

They didn't copy their US model. Prices were higher & low inventory. They weren't going to make a profit until 2021. Of course a failure but the company was smart to cut their losses.

Which big box are you referencing?

They didn't copy their US model. Prices were higher & low inventory. They weren't going to make a profit until 2021. Of course a failure but the company was smart to cut their losses.

Which big box are you referencing?

That was Target.

Canadians love dairy products and all pricing of dairy is controlled by marketing boards that ensure high prices. Canadians work as hard as anybody for their money and want to get good value. If we can go over the border and buy the stuff we need at a fraction of the price we pay here even taking the FX in to account we'd be stupid not to do it. The price differences of the identical products between Canada and the US is more than just the FX difference.

This is a puzzle to say the least! I love the expertise I find in my locally owned B&M establishments and try to chase the value I find there vs price. That said, as a Mfg, I recognize the unending chase of the lower price and the necessity to adapt my marketing plan. I too am interested in hearing from brick and mortar proprietors.

They didn't copy their US model. Prices were higher & low inventory. They weren't going to make a profit until 2021. Of course a failure but the company was smart to cut their losses.

Which big box are you referencing?

That was Target.

Canadians love dairy products and all pricing of dairy is controlled by marketing boards that ensure high prices.  Canadians work as hard as anybody for their money and want to get good value.  If we can go over the border and buy the stuff we need at a fraction of the price we pay here even taking the FX in to account we'd be stupid not to do it.  The price differences of the identical products between Canada and the US is more than just the FX difference.

I figured as much but never really looked into it. I just knew they were saving money. The gas stations on the border were busy as well.