Yes, today I was told they are closing all stores after only closing a few in recent months while in bankruptcy proceedings. Heard that Forever 21 is not doing too well either. So now the new retail trend is to diversify and attract entertainment and restaurant tenants due to the retail downturn.

Brick 'n mortars are in jeopardy. People don't realize once they're gone, they're gone.

That was my daughters fav...too bad. I saw a sale in their Beverly Hills store, more and more people are shopping online.

Online is good, but the shipping charges are pricy - even more so if the item doesn't fit and one has to pay to ship it back for a refund.

@bestofbothworlds wrote:

Online is good, but the shipping charges are pricy - even more so if the item doesn't fit and one has to pay to ship it back for a refund.

Stores like Macy;s refund in the store and we all have a Macy's somewhere in our city. My friend shops Macy;s online all the time and buying over a hundred shipping is free. She also returns a lot.

@bestofbothworlds wrote:

Online is good, but the shipping charges are pricy - even more so if the item doesn't fit and one has to pay to ship it back for a refund.

'

Macy's shipping is free if you buy over 100.00. My friend shops Macy;s online, she also returns to the store, so no shipping fees.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/10/2016 04:50AM by Irene_L.A..

Macy's is also closing some non-revenue producing brick 'n mortars. Real stores are going away fast.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/10/2016 04:52AM by bestofbothworlds.

I heard the other day that Best Buy which was doing poorly a few years ago has turned around their Brick and Mortar stores and are now making a nice profit. Perhaps other Brick and Mortars can follow their lead. Evidently according to the report people are willing to go to the store to purchase because they have salespeople who actually know something about the product and can talk intelligently about differences etc between brands and models. At some of the retail stores I have been to recently, especially some of the larger department type stores. I have found it very difficult to even find a salesperson. I purchased something in Macy's the other day and had to walk all over the ground floor looking for a place I could pay for it. No wonder people aren't shopping there any more.

Conversely, since no one is shopping the brick 'n mortars, the need for knowledgeable sales staff is greatly diminished!

The Best Buy in this area was being used as a glorified showroom. Go see the TV, stereo, whatever you wanted, then order it on line from someone else. Now they are doing price matching, so they are getting more sales. I got a $20 discount on a phone case that way.

Wait, so there's no money in selling polo shirts for $4 and jeans for $18? Whod'a thunk...

Best Buy, on the other hand, has won me back. They've changed a lot over the years and I've stopped showrooming them and just started buying from them.

FYI MACY'S: If you see something in the store that you like, check their web site for their internet only discount coupon, then use it and have the item shipped for free. This of course is after you already tried it on and know it fits. Saw an INC brand winter coat last year in the store and applied their $25.00 website discount coupon with free shipping. I think some of the other dept stores also have online only discount coupons.

Online shopping: Every night when fitness walking the evening before paper/ cardboard recycling day, it seems like every other house has put out their shipping boxes. Even saw a box from Home Shopping Network. Remember them ??? You really get an overview of people's buying habits on the above
recycling night...

I never shop for clothes online and rarely for home goods. It seems like a complete waste of time to have to return items, regardless of whether or not shipping is free. I can pick out 10 or more shirts, dresses, skirts, or pants that are all my size and try them on, and only 1 might fit correctly or look as expected. Or none of them at all. I love the shopping experience anyway, and since there are three corridor malls and several strip malls within 10-15 miles of my house and a Kohl's and Target within 3, it's very convenient. And I have bought comforters and other home goods online, only to get them and find out that they are not the quality represented on the website and then had the inconvenience of having to package them back up and return them, then drive to UPS or FedEx to drop off, then get my credit card reimbursed after the returned goods are received--just a big PITA to me. I did buy a nice kitchen island from Wayfair that I kept, but that's probably the only thing I have ever bought online that I absolutely love. To each their own I guess.

I buy everything from Best Buy, hardly ever shop online as I like to see what I buy. Certain departments at Best Buy are great, while other department's have no help. I do think through the years they are just now improving and hiring more knowledgeable employees (or the training is better). Macy's (where I live) has become the sale rack of the century, and all clothes are made in China. Hours for employees are brutal, and they are always lacking help. You just help yourself and pay for it. They call me every Xmas season and ask if I'd model. They don't give anything to spend a day doing that and coming in before for your fitting. Going "back to the day"....my sister worked for Saks in San Francisco for 45 years in couture, yes, you got personalized help, I'm talking carrying your items to a dressing room, etc.
Still pretty much the same in the higher end stores, but, Macy's offers good brands for such a great price, hard to beat. Retail in general is taking a beating, Macy's is closing 100 stores (as we speak). Online shopping, has taken over with many new business's popping up daily for stuff like expensive purses, shoes for competitive prices, I could go on and on, but then the computer has changed the whole world, some in good ways, some not so good....good for me as I can now Skype my daughter in another state and see her, that's all I really care about.

Sounds like Macy's is undermining their own brick and mortar stores which is counter productive. I don't even like shopping but still prefer to go somewhere and actually try on clothes and shoes. More now than ever because sizing is inconsistent.

Just this week I was shopping at the Dillard's near me and then had a reason to call another store in the area. The help from both the associate in person and the one on the phone was incredible. It actually reminded me of what would have been more standard service not all that long ago. Perhaps instead of cutting back staff to save money in the short term the department store could staff up in order to offer the service we cannot get online. If I have to wander around the store by myself then hunt for someone to take my money it will make shopping online more appealing.

Good reason to go thru your gift cards and redeem ASAP for ANY store mentioned above that might be in trouble.

Not to worry...Macy's over built when the economy was good, just cutting back now that the economy is bad, makes good business sense. Their flagship stores in large cities like New York, Chicago and San Francisco are all fine stores and doing well. My surprise is Starbucks isn't cutting back and has again raised prices. I actually make a better cup of coffee at home with my French Press...must be the social thing to go for coffee.

Pffft I have only ever had Starbucks once, and it was because I was driving from Tallahassee Florida to Houston Texas and it's where my brother wanted to stop for coffee. After driving 8 hours I needed something with caffeine. It was pretty good but overpriced. I doubt I will ever go to a Starbucks again.

I recently bought a fitbit from Macy's online. Unfortunately they did not have it in the store as the phone person online had no idea about what came in the box and right next to the ad for the fitbit was an add to buy the charging cable so I was worried the cable might not come with it. The online description did not even say what came in the box. It was the best price I could find online. It was shipped in two days for free, they allowed me to use the 20% off coupon which is not good for electronics. The day I got it in the mail I got one of those pop up ads you generally keep getting for the same thing you were looking to buy that you keep getting for 2 years after you already bought it. But this one was for the fitbit I just unwrapped and the price had gone down. I promptly called Macy's and they reduced the already great price by another $10 with no issue.
I like Macy's when they are not frustrating me with those coupons that have a laundry list of things they do not cover on the back.

@JASFLALMT wrote:

Pffft I have only ever had Starbucks once, and it was because I was driving from Tallahassee Florida to Houston Texas and it's where my brother wanted to stop for coffee. After driving 8 hours I needed something with caffeine. It was pretty good but overpriced. I doubt I will ever go to a Starbucks again.

Jas....we have about 8 SB that I've counted with many neighbors going a couple times a day...I met all my friends there, it's definitely the "hangout", even kids meeting on Tinder meet there...oh the times have a changed.
I don't go anymore except to pop in and say hi, 60.00 a month for coffee, help!!

Aeropostale usually has $5 flat fee shipping, so I wouldn't consider that pricey. My kids love that store. I love their hoodies. Bummer.

i prefer brick and mortar..i like to be able to look at things and see the size/material..often thinks look good online, but are junk when you get them....if you are going to end up going to the store to return, might as well buy there is the 1st place...plus its easier browsing the racks rather than webpages..i only do online when I can't find what I want at a brick and mortar...

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/11/2016 04:29AM by jmitw.

amazon prime = the best. sure, $99 annually but...free shipping (both ways), lots of free kindle/audio books, lots of free music, lots of free movies and never, ever any issue with a return if it doesn't fit, doesn't perform or if you just flat-out don't like it.

Yeah PCB, but many men are coathangers when it comes to shirts, most of the time. If it's your size it generally fits. We women have different issues with our torso protrusions being of varying sizes. Something might fit correctly across the chest and then be gaping at the sleeves, or we get that top several buttons gap, or the shirt fits everywhere but is too short or too long at the waist. If I can't try it on I am not interested. Waiting for something to arrive and then having the disappointment of having to return it isn't appealing to me. And how can anyone (mostly women I guess) buy shoes online? I have no way of knowing whether or not the shoes are going to fit correctly and be comfortable, especially anything with a high heel.

When it comes to books and music, I do like free, though, but at $99 a year, it's no longer free. I can get free downloads to some songs from the computer, and then there are various apps for music that are great.

@JASFLALMT wrote:

Yeah PCB, but many men are coathangers when it comes to shirts, most of the time. If it's your size it generally fits. We women have different issues with our torso protrusions being of varying sizes. Something might fit correctly across the chest and then be gaping at the sleeves, or we get that top several buttons gap, or the shirt fits everywhere but is too short or too long at the waist. If I can't try it on I am not interested. Waiting for something to arrive and then having the disappointment of having to return it isn't appealing to me. And how can anyone (mostly women I guess) buy shoes online? I have no way of knowing whether or not the shoes are going to fit correctly and be comfortable, especially anything with a high heel.

When it comes to books and music, I do like free, though, but at $99 a year, it's no longer free. I can get free downloads to some songs from the computer, and then there are various apps for music that are great.

yup, i do get it. forgot something = free 2 day shipping. and i do concede that precise sizing can be an issue. i only order things like shoes, etc. that i am as sure as i can be (and sometimes i'm wrong about it) that is/are going to fit but things like bodum french press @ $9.99 and other household goods are too good to pass up. and a 48" vizio smart-tv @ $325 (much less than best buy and/or costco) + all amazon is tax free makes the $99 a good fit, for me.

My sister likes Amazon Prime as well, but she is currently posted in Nigeria (State Department) and her brick and mortar options are non-existent. Her last post was Afghanistan, so her clothing there was limited to a burka most of the time--and she likes funky and hip clothes and boots so that was tough for her. She goes crazy when she comes to the states and has a large storage unit with boxes and boxes of cool stuff that hopefully will still be in style when she is home long enough to wear it.

I found some Elmer's China and Glass glue needed to repair a beautiful handpainted pasta bowl and was offered a free trial of Amazon Prime, but I went with the free shipping offered by the seller. I had looked online and couldn't see any nearby retailers who carried it so it was easier to order through Amazon.

Starbucks sells their Bodum French Press for $48.00, the glass broke on mine and I shopped around (not online), and found same for $19.99 at Target. I thought I was getting a bargain, so thanks for update., ,they are great holiday gifts.

Jas...where I lived and come from.men dress nicely buying great looking shirts from stores or wife dressing them (so to speak).
I don't buy clothes online for different reasons, one fabric quality, two fit, three, don't take shopping in stores away from me, that's what I do and I have the time. Working woman who don't have time find it helpful.
Winter in Chicago where my daughter lives finds her buying a couple pair of good boots yearly online, same brand, knowing her size and saves her a bunch of time and hassle. Free shipping over a certain amount. There is a place for everything.

I get it, I really do. People who live in large metro areas where there are fewer cars and subways, trolleys, trains, and buses are used more frequently also might find it really convenient to buy online, and it seems a trend with younger people these days as well. I suppose people who live in rural areas where there are few malls or stores might also find it very convenient. I have lots of time and also enjoy browsing and shopping instore...there are many, many shopping malls and plazas close to my home so I have a lot of options. Not everyone does and some people don't really like to shop.

One of my favorite furniture stores, The Bombay Company, closed their retail stores and went online. All of my early furniture and most of the decor and trinkets came from their stores.

Even though I'm familiar with the quality of their products, I wouldn't buy furniture without being able to sit or lay on it. Apparently, a lot of people felt the same, because their website is no longer active.

I bought my dining room set from Bombay when they had their closing sale....I still love it. I was sorry to see them go.