The Conservative Cave
Current Events => The DUmpster => Topic started by: franksolich on December 16, 2008, 03:37:44 PM
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http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x4663369
Oh my.
ThomWV (1000+ posts) Tue Dec-16-08 04:28 PM
Original message
Had To Go To The Mall Today - Jesus! I had no idea it was that bad
I went to the largest mall in the adjoining county this afternoon, largest shopping center within 4 counties, 9 days before Christmas. I had no problem parking within 100 feet of the main entrance. It was devoid of shoppers; I have seen more people there on an August afternoon. The food court is about a half acre, I counted - counted mind you - 37 people in the place. In every other year in my memory that the place has been standing it would have been shoulder to shoulder people this close to Christmas. There is even a Christian book store in this particular mall, I looked in as I passed by - not a soul in the place other than the one sales person behind the counter. Sears tool section; 6 or 8 salespersons, 2 or 3 customers.
It's Tuesday afternoon.
Tuesday afternoons are usually the deadest hours of the week, in retail.
Immediately, a Fat Che in the punchbowl pops up:
LostinVA (1000+ posts) Tue Dec-16-08 04:31 PM
Response to Original message
2. It's crazy at ours, and at stand-alones like B&N and Costco
TomInTib (1000+ posts) Tue Dec-16-08 04:32 PM
Response to Original message
3. I have been wondering about this.
I am far removed from any mall situation, but retail in our town is dead, dead, dead.
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Hey TiT, if you hadn't given away all the merchandise, you to could be doing a booming business.
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As you say Frank, it's Tuesday afternoon. I imagine those who can afford to shop at the mall are busy ... oooh I don't know... working perhaps? :whatever:
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TomInTib (1000+ posts) Tue Dec-16-08 04:32 PM
Response to Original message
3. I have been wondering about this.
I am far removed from any mall situation, but retail in our town is dead, dead, dead.
TiT shouldn't be surprised that people don't want to by overpriced, low quality, imported trinkets, from a 2 bit store staffed by a drunk, lying asshole.
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That certainly isn't the case around Raleigh.
I had the misfortune of having to go run some errands downtown and the roads near the malls were normal Christmas madness.
I stopped at Tiger Direct (computer/electronics store) on the way home and it was packed.
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Walmart is still booming. :-)
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Walmart is still booming. :-)
Target was busy today when I went. :)
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I have been to a number of stores in the past 2 weeks; the final being Target. They all had brisk business and, in particular, the toy shelves were cleaned out pretty well. Now, the economy is not great, but I suspect between the coming HD switch pushing some electronic purchases, people making sure the kids have toys if nothing else, and the decrease in gas prices that allows a little extra money in the budget and I'm thinking that the stores that loaded up on items anticipating what would be bought, will do fine. The ones that hurt I think are those that over-ordered the 'extras' ie too many extra seasonal products and clothing. I've noticed that stuff isn't moving as quickly as electronics, toys, and home products like mixers and such. Anyway, maybe people aren't buying...I don't know, but they certainly are in the stores.
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On the upside, they've had to have the Fire Mashal at the Gun Shows in the Dallas/Fort Worth area to ensure that they don't exceed capacity. I guess there are some things a person is just never too poor to afford.
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Mall shopping has been declining for years. They are a dying breed. The "big box" retailers are where it's at. My local Walmart* and the target up the highway are doing fine.
My nephew, who works for a Saturn dealership, sold six car this past week. It has been his best week ever for this time of year.
I think we have been (and are being sold) a phony-ass "recession". Someone has a lot invested in this being a self-fullfilling event.
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I think we have been (and are being sold) a phony-ass "recession". Someone has a lot invested in this being a self-fullfilling event.
Let's see, the media has been playing chicken little with the economy for several years. Even earlier this year they were telling stories of gloom and doom but the DJIA continued to climb and consumer confidence was fairly steady and positive. Then they started on the foreclosure stories, that seemed to tilt the balance.
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3. I have been wondering about this.
I am far removed from any mall situation, but retail in our town is dead, dead, dead.
No shit Sherlock! Number 1, what exactly do you sell (give away)?
A bunch of hippie art, ear rings, paintings, that I am sure is in the realm of "alternate universe".
What do ya 'spose is going to happen when folks have to start watching their P's and Q's?
You really are a frikkin idiot!
Maybe start actually selling something they can use, and you might make it thru the Obamawannabeya!!!!!
Actually after reading your "philosophy", I doubt seriously you have a CLUE!!!!
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No shit Sherlock! Number 1, what exactly do you sell (give away)?
A bunch of hippie art, ear rings, paintings, that I am sure is in the realm of "alternate universe".
What do ya 'spose is going to happen when folks have to start watching their P's and Q's?
You really are a frikkin idiot!
Maybe start actually selling something they can use, and you might make it thru the Obamawannabeya!!!!!
Actually after reading your "philosophy", I doubt seriously you have a CLUE!!!!
I've looked up exactly where the Lying Titty Primitive works (I know your'e a clerk TiT). When he says far removed he really should be saying "far and away from anything that would bring in shoppers."
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I have been to a number of stores in the past 2 weeks; the final being Target. They all had brisk business ....
"Brisk" is how I would describe it. Not piling on top of each other, certainly not dead, but brisk. I suspect starting this weekend through late Wednesday night things will be much different.
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I tried to buy some stuff online at Cabela's yesterday. Practically everything I wanted was out of stock.
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I just returned from a week of vacation at the Evil Corporate Empire known as Disney World. Orlando was packed. Monday at Magic Kingdom was shoulder to shoulder .... it was a little better Tue, Wed and Thurs at the other parks but Friday at Epcot it was shoulder to shoulder again.
On the drive back to Texas about 50 miles east of Baton Rouge we had to STOP on the interstate because of the traffic at not one but two different exits. These cars were pulled off onto the should and backed up about a mile on the interstate trying to exit to go to the 2 malls that were at each exit. You could see the traffic going up the on ramp, across the bridge and into the parking lots and circling around. I guess the south has a better economy than the rest of the nation.
KC