what’s happening to retail stores?

on
Jun 16, ‵08
in trends
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Every store you come across right now is having a major sale. I recently walked through one of the high end department stores, and it looked like it had been ransacked by thieves. There were racks and racks of messy clothing strewn throughout the store. Even the Chanel sale rack was a wreck. Who’s going to buy a Chanel dress (even on sale is $2300.00) that is stuffed onto a rack without any care for the article of clothing? The shoe department looked like a garbage truck had dumped piles of Choo’s and Manolo’s all over the place. It took my breath away, and I was completely turned off by the state of chaos. I’m not usually one to shy away from a sale, but there was a sense of desperation that was lacking in earlier years. It’s obviously a representation of the state of our economy, but I think the retail stores have it all wrong. If they really want to sell the merchandise, then they should do a better job with the presentation. Maybe they should hold back the pre-fall collections, and properly display the summer sale merchandise. That way, they may actually unload more and still provide the customer with a good shopping experience. What have you experienced in stores lately?

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  • http://gottaspa.blogspot.com Shannon Nelson

    I agree. Disorganized and chaotic. It makes it difficult to find what you are looking for and just is unappealing on the eyes.

    I have to say, with 4 little mouthes to feed, I have been appreciating the major discounts going on. My kids grow like weeds and keeping up is no inexpensive task, but shopping the sales racks where it seems like the associates could care less about presentation (and customer service), doesn’t really make for a fun shopping experience.

  • http://gottaspa.blogspot.com Shannon Nelson

    I agree. Disorganized and chaotic. It makes it difficult to find what you are looking for and just is unappealing on the eyes.

    I have to say, with 4 little mouthes to feed, I have been appreciating the major discounts going on. My kids grow like weeds and keeping up is no inexpensive task, but shopping the sales racks where it seems like the associates could care less about presentation (and customer service), doesn’t really make for a fun shopping experience.

  • http://www.jewellerpro.com/mall.html Anatoli

    I agree. I have kids too.
    Don’t you wish that you can shop without leaving
    your house? And save time?
    Now days you can have your own store on the
    Internet and buy at best price you can wish for.
    Best part, you serve yourself and don’t complain.
    I just love new technology.
    Millions of people doing this, why can’t you?

  • http://www.jewellerpro.com/mall.html Anatoli

    I agree. I have kids too.
    Don’t you wish that you can shop without leaving
    your house? And save time?
    Now days you can have your own store on the
    Internet and buy at best price you can wish for.
    Best part, you serve yourself and don’t complain.
    I just love new technology.
    Millions of people doing this, why can’t you?

  • http://styleobserver.com Jean V. Pratt

    I hear you on loving the discounted prices, but sometimes I don’t have the stamina to fight through the crazy sale racks. I love online shopping as well, but for work purposes I like to feel a product & try it on before writing about it or recommending it. So, I guess I’m sort of stuck! So.. retailers please clean up you stores:)

  • http://www.giftgirl.com Jean Vouté Pratt

    I hear you on loving the discounted prices, but sometimes I don’t have the stamina to fight through the crazy sale racks. I love online shopping as well, but for work purposes I like to feel a product & try it on before writing about it or recommending it. So, I guess I’m sort of stuck! So.. retailers please clean up you stores:)

  • hillary

    Jean, agreed. Stores are starting seasons too early. Consumers can’t enjoy being in the ‘now’ anymore. I also don’t think it is good to push your discount racks first when walking in. If you walk into luxury purses, for example, and the first thing greeting you is a HUGE display of discounted, red tag designer purses (which is just weird to begin with), you are not going to feel anything is worth paying full price.

    Stores need to move merchandise, but have to first move a mindset they created some years back, that has turned into a monster.

  • hillary

    Jean, agreed. Stores are starting seasons too early. Consumers can’t enjoy being in the ‘now’ anymore. I also don’t think it is good to push your discount racks first when walking in. If you walk into luxury purses, for example, and the first thing greeting you is a HUGE display of discounted, red tag designer purses (which is just weird to begin with), you are not going to feel anything is worth paying full price.

    Stores need to move merchandise, but have to first move a mindset they created some years back, that has turned into a monster.

  • http://www.theconscioussnob.com The Conscious Snob

    I totally agree! There are so many sales right now that offer steep discounts that I don’t ever want to pay full price anymore. I think the stores made a huge mistake going all out with their sales– now everyone will just wait for a sale and not purchase the current retail. It’s a madhouse too– it shows that while the economy is having a downturn, more people are ever the more materialistic.

  • http://www.theconscioussnob.com The Conscious Snob

    I totally agree! There are so many sales right now that offer steep discounts that I don’t ever want to pay full price anymore. I think the stores made a huge mistake going all out with their sales– now everyone will just wait for a sale and not purchase the current retail. It’s a madhouse too– it shows that while the economy is having a downturn, more people are ever the more materialistic.

  • http://styleobserver.com Jean V. Pratt

    It really is a madhouse! It is total chaos, and I want no part of it. I mean I’m all for sales but not like this. I’m not really sure if it’s about being materialistic, or whether it’s about trying to catch a break. Everything else around us is going through the roof, maybe they feel this is the one place they can save a little. Or maybe you’re right and they want to try and get name brands for less.

  • http://www.giftgirl.com Jean Vouté Pratt

    It really is a madhouse! It is total chaos, and I want no part of it. I mean I’m all for sales but not like this. I’m not really sure if it’s about being materialistic, or whether it’s about trying to catch a break. Everything else around us is going through the roof, maybe they feel this is the one place they can save a little. Or maybe you’re right and they want to try and get name brands for less.

  • http://www.catalystpgh.blogspot.com Jovon Higgins

    I would have to concur with you. I would also have to say that it is sometimes quite overwhelming when the whole store is on sale. it takes the fun out of actually finding a good sale! Anyway, Great Site!

  • http://www.catalystpgh.blogspot.com Jovon Higgins

    I would have to concur with you. I would also have to say that it is sometimes quite overwhelming when the whole store is on sale. it takes the fun out of actually finding a good sale! Anyway, Great Site!

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