Retail Watchers

They do well in MI because they have both store density in multiple metros and wide coverage of the lower peninsula (they were also in the UP but sold most of those off to Walgreens). They acquired reasonably well-run assets (Perry Drug) which were pretty evenly distributed throughout the state. I'...

Retail businesses seem very good at limping along for many, many years even if they're obviously shrinking. I think it's because of their ability to generate cash, which is probably what enables them to continue after they run out of working capital and go into bankruptcies. Only when you get really...

Targets in my area are busy almost any time of day, from what I have seen. Same with Home Depot and Lowes. From what I have seen at the very few Walmarts anywhere near me is that the parking lots seem kinda empty. I never go in because once I cross the entry door I immediately break out in HIVES! :...

I've noticed Aldi's in places that are more well-off than their usual locations, too. For many people, they probably fall into a category of cheap, but not stigmatized stores, unlike one of the dollar store chains or Walmart. There always have been chains like this---Woolworth's had many stores in u...

Westfield may have rethought their strategy but what they're doing isn't unusual---Richard Jacobs had malls under development when they liquidated their portfolio 20 years ago, Westfield is hardly the only mall owner that got rid of properties through a foreclosure. When Forest City (which once co-o...

I'll preface this by saying I'm not a fan of this kiosk business. That said, it is important to keep in mind that this store is located in an area where people will walk to the store. Between the proximity to a major 'L' station (Roosevelt - subway stop on the Red Line, the busiest 'L' line in the ...

The mayor talked about turning the mall into housing such as luxury condominiums. The movie theater is closing as well. This leaves a huge amount of top floor space for luxury penthouse condos. However, you have to sell the city as clean and safe otherwise no one will want to live in this area. The...

Delivery seems to be in decline. The people doing the shopping for it at Whole Foods used to be unavoidable most mornings duirng COVID. I rarely see them or deliveries to where I live now. This probably is not the best time to establish a new delivery brand--they may figure that the Harris-Teeter b...

Westfield has stopped payments along with Brookfield and will allow the bank to foreclose on the center. https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/westfield-abandoning-downtown-sf-mall-18148703.php I opened a new thread over on the Shopping Centers category. The dominos are really starting to fall... ...

Delivery seems to be in decline. The people doing the shopping for it at Whole Foods used to be unavoidable most mornings duirng COVID. I rarely see them or deliveries to where I live now. This probably is not the best time to establish a new delivery brand--they may figure that the Harris-Teeter br...