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| The grim outlook for b&m retail | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Mar 18 2018, 08:11 AM (280 Views) | |
| Mikhailoh | Mar 18 2018, 08:11 AM Post #1 |
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If you want trouble, find yourself a redhead
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https://www.citylab.com/transportation/2018/03/a-ticking-time-bomb-for-suburban-retail/554882/?utm_source=atlfb |
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Once in his life, every man is entitled to fall madly in love with a gorgeous redhead - Lucille Ball | |
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| Davis | Mar 18 2018, 08:24 AM Post #2 |
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Fulla-Carp
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The wind down has been in place for a while, it’s known and the only variation is the pace (often faster but at times slower). Businesses, like trees, can die slowly. What Is interesting is that people seem to need bricks and mortar less than predicted. The premise was look in store and buy online. Maybe people need to shop less as social media has taken over human interaction, maybe social media stategies have engaged consumers enough to replace the need to touch, maybe mega malls and even airports are doing the job. I don’t need to mention what is already referenced in this article. I don’t know where the internet shopping tax stands but that needs to end if the Amazon’s of the world take over, they need to pay/charge tax based on where people live. On line reality has matured to the stage of ubiquity, time to be the adult in the room and be accountable for the disruption it has created. Time to own the problems. |
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| Jolly | Mar 18 2018, 09:40 AM Post #3 |
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Geaux Tigers!
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I wonder if a significant increase in fuel prices would make a difference? |
| The main obstacle to a stable and just world order is the United States.- George Soros | |
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| Mikhailoh | Mar 18 2018, 10:22 AM Post #4 |
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If you want trouble, find yourself a redhead
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Could. But probably not. The consumer will still be still paying for the cost of goods sold whatever it is. Whether an autonomous vehicle goes from a warehouse to your home or you drive to the B&M, the gas will still be expended. As far as taxes, Amazon and most other online retailers charge state sales tax. |
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Once in his life, every man is entitled to fall madly in love with a gorgeous redhead - Lucille Ball | |
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| Luke's Dad | Mar 18 2018, 11:43 AM Post #5 |
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Emperor Pengin
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Online sales account for 10% of the goods sold in the US. Let's not shut down the commercial Real Estate Market just yet. 24 major chains are closing stores next year? Dozens of chains are closing stores every year. Even chains that are growing are shutting stores down while opening new ones, and many chains would make stupid decisions and wind up going out of business well before the online marketplace. |
| The problem with having an open mind is that people keep trying to put things in it. | |
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| jon-nyc | Mar 18 2018, 11:56 AM Post #6 |
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Cheers
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Yeah, I'm guessing that's by dollar volume which is misleading. Houses and cars are purchased in person. That's probably the majority of spending on 'goods' right there. |
| In my defense, I was left unsupervised. | |
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| Klaus | Mar 18 2018, 12:03 PM Post #7 |
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HOLY CARP!!!
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I'm fine with b&m retail dying, but I'm a little worried that Amazon has so little competition in the online world. |
| Trifonov Fleisher Klaus Sokolov Zimmerman | |
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| jon-nyc | Mar 18 2018, 12:08 PM Post #8 |
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Cheers
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Here their competitors tend to be category based. People might shop at Gap.com instead of Amazon for clothes, for example. There are online sorters which focus on housewares, lighting, etc. As for comprehensive competitors Walmart is the biggest and certainly most powerful here. |
| In my defense, I was left unsupervised. | |
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| Aqua Letifer | Mar 18 2018, 12:38 PM Post #9 |
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ZOOOOOM!
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Yes. Bring back trust-busting. |
| I cite irreconcilable differences. | |
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| Luke's Dad | Mar 18 2018, 04:40 PM Post #10 |
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Emperor Pengin
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Not homes, but autos might be included. |
| The problem with having an open mind is that people keep trying to put things in it. | |
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| Axtremus | Mar 19 2018, 04:44 AM Post #11 |
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HOLY CARP!!!
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Friends from Asia told me that TMall is more popular/accessible than Amazon.com in the Orient. Is there a credible competitor to Amazon.com in Europe, Southern America, or Australia? |
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| Klaus | Mar 19 2018, 05:35 AM Post #12 |
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HOLY CARP!!!
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The closest thing to a competitor over here is Zalando, but so far they specialize on fashion stuff. |
| Trifonov Fleisher Klaus Sokolov Zimmerman | |
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| jon-nyc | Mar 19 2018, 05:53 AM Post #13 |
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Cheers
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Business opportunity for Klaus! |
| In my defense, I was left unsupervised. | |
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| Copper | Mar 19 2018, 07:05 AM Post #14 |
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Shortstop
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https://qz.com/879921/a-rivalry-is-heating-up-between-jet-com-and-amazon-for-the-internets-highest-selling-products/
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The Confederate soldier was peculiar in that he was ever ready to fight, but never ready to submit to the routine duty and discipline of the camp or the march. The soldiers were determined to be soldiers after their own notions, and do their duty, for the love of it, as they thought best. Carlton McCarthy | |
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| George K | Mar 19 2018, 09:20 AM Post #15 |
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Finally
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I've been shopping from Jet.com a lot over the last couple of years. Random observations: 1) Packaging needs help. I've had several items arrive damaged, with foodstuff spilled into the box. An email to customer service with an attached photo quickly resolved the issue. One time, my order was replaced at no cost to me, another time, they refunded the ENTIRE order (including items that were not damaged). 2) Delivery times vary. Not as consistent or reliable as Amazon. That's not a big deal for me, because I rarely need something *right now*. 3) Availability of stuff. Erratic. I need some sea salt, so I looked and all they carried were brands with all kinds of flavors, or nothing smaller than a 12-pack. 4) Free shipping on purchases over $35 - unlike Amazon's free prime delivery for anything. But, I earn lots of points for shopping with them (1 point per dollar on the card itself, and another 2 for going through the Amtrak Portal. It's been worth about 6K points so far.), so it's worth the minor aggravations I've had. |
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A guide to GKSR: Click "Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... " - Mik, 6/14/08 Nothing is as effective as homeopathy. I'd rather listen to an hour of Abba than an hour of The Beatles. - Klaus, 4/29/18 | |
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| Lisa | Mar 19 2018, 04:12 PM Post #16 |
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Junior Carp
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Jet seems to be a pass-through retailer....the few times I bought from them, what I received was actually shipped from a separate retail business (not Jet) and when I had to return something, I had to return it to that business, who then informed Jet that I had returned it, so they could issue the credit. Maybe they will eventually start selling their own products but right now, they just seem to be a consolidator who passes your orders off to other retailers. There doesn't seem like there would be a whole lot of profit in that....
Edited by Lisa, Mar 19 2018, 04:12 PM.
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| Rainman | Mar 19 2018, 04:22 PM Post #17 |
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Fulla-Carp
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Same as Amazon, although we also ship to their warehouse so it would seem the product comes from them. Amazon suxor. That's Latin I think. |
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| George K | Mar 19 2018, 04:33 PM Post #18 |
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Finally
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D3 worked for Wilton. It's a baking supply company for homeowners. She was in customer service, and her accounts included Zoolily and Amazon. I can't tell you how many times she said that Amazon was great - for the customer, and horrible for the vendor. |
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A guide to GKSR: Click "Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... " - Mik, 6/14/08 Nothing is as effective as homeopathy. I'd rather listen to an hour of Abba than an hour of The Beatles. - Klaus, 4/29/18 | |
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| Rainman | Mar 19 2018, 04:56 PM Post #19 |
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Fulla-Carp
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Yup. And there are more and more people that learn how to abuse the system, at the expense (literally) of the vendor. Customer is ALWAYS right, which leaves a lot of room to screw the vendor. However, there is some movement now, where "problem" customers may receive pushback. Bad press from customers as well as merchants works both ways, pay attention Amazon. Our biggest issue is how Amazon tracks sales, then orders the specific popular product at a huge discount, then undercuts the original listing. One cold-blooded outfit -- building obscene profits and power at the expense of everyone. Amazon Suxopolis. That's Greek, I think. |
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| George K | Mar 19 2018, 05:07 PM Post #20 |
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Finally
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I have invested some $$ in some smart bulbs for the living room. They are controllable via the Amazon Echo, or Apple's Homekit. "Hey, Siri! Good Night" (all lights go out) "Alexa, make it bright!" (all lights to 100% brightness) "Alexa, good morning." (3 lights go on, at 25% brightness) Very nice. But, I also bought a "smart plug." Can't keep it connected to my network, so I opted to return it to Amazon. There was zero issue with the return. In fact, if I return it to Kohl's, which accepts Amazon returns, I don't even have to pack it back up. AND, when I do, I get a coupon for 25% off of my next Kohls purchase. I can easily see some people buying stuff on Amazon, then returning it, just to get the 25% discount. |
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A guide to GKSR: Click "Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... " - Mik, 6/14/08 Nothing is as effective as homeopathy. I'd rather listen to an hour of Abba than an hour of The Beatles. - Klaus, 4/29/18 | |
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| jon-nyc | Mar 19 2018, 05:10 PM Post #21 |
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Cheers
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I’ve only returned a handful of things ever on Amazon. I’ve tried to return inexpensive items only to have them tell me to keep the item and refund my money anyway. I think last one was a $4 paperback for the boy. |
| In my defense, I was left unsupervised. | |
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| Lisa | Mar 20 2018, 03:52 AM Post #22 |
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Junior Carp
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Amazon seems a little different. When I've returned stuff to Amazon that is sold by a 3rd party seller, it still seems like I am returning it to Amazon -- it's an amazon box, return slip, etc. But with Jet - the box literally showed up marked branded with the name of the other business (it was a shoe seller with their own well-known website). The packing slip and return slip in the box were also all branded with the other business. Nothing in the box indicated that it was purchased at jet.com at all....if I hadn't known that I ordered that particular item from Jet, I would have thought the other company mistakenly sent me a package. Amazon's 3rd party selling process seems a bit more seamless to me -- Jet's just seems odd. |
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| Axtremus | Mar 20 2018, 06:55 AM Post #23 |
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HOLY CARP!!!
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Amazon.com started out trying to do Internet retail without operating warehouses, but over the years came to operate one of the world's largest network of warehouses. Jet.com needs time to build that infrastructure, time it may or may not have depending on how much money its investors are willing to sink to build an "Amazon competitor." |
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| jon-nyc | Mar 20 2018, 07:15 AM Post #24 |
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Cheers
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It is owned by Walmart and they are pretty serious about building an Amazon competitor. |
| In my defense, I was left unsupervised. | |
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| Axtremus | Mar 20 2018, 07:28 AM Post #25 |
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HOLY CARP!!!
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Ah, I missed the news about Walmart acquiring Jet.com . Thanks for bringing this up. |
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