Name:	lucky67 -	Reply
Subject:	MORE ECONOMIC NEWS
Date:	6/15/2015 5:41:18 PM

(Reuters) - Apparel retailer Gap Inc (GPS.N) said it would close a quarter of its Gap specialty stores in North America over the next few years, including 140 this year, and cut about 250 jobs at its headquarters

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	MORE ECONOMIC NEWS
Date:	6/15/2015 6:45:21 PM

J Crew and Ambercombrie and Fitch has also taken a hit and J Crew changed creative directors.  I'm not so sure it is economics as much as it is changing American tastes and the failure of these brands to successfully predict what people want to buy.  More people are shopping online too rather than visitng the stores.  Old Navy continues to thrive.  Talbots has been strugging for years and Coldwater Creek closed all their stores and went to an online format only, last year.   I think retail clothing is undergoing a huge transformation, and I think it will continue, no matter who sits in the WH.

Name:	GoneFishin -	Reply
Subject:	MORE ECONOMIC NEWS
Date:	6/15/2015 6:54:03 PM

Cramer says all retail is a crapshoot. Target made a smart move selling their instore phamacies to CVS.

RETAIL

Name:	au67 -	Reply
Subject:	MORE ECONOMIC NEWS
Date:	6/15/2015 7:44:24 PM

And Dollar General will soon have their ninth store in our area.

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	MORE ECONOMIC NEWS
Date:	6/15/2015 8:43:51 PM

Target is still try to make up for the Canadian failure.  And they lost a lot of busness after the major hack of people's credit card data.

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	MORE ECONOMIC NEWS
Date:	6/15/2015 8:51:51 PM

It's interesting to note that a lot of the major high end retailers are pouring money into their outlet stores. Nordstrom, Saks and Neiman Marcus are opening more outlet stores, taking money from their high end operations.  They decided that there will always be a limited market for their high end stores, but the outlet shopping is where the money is being made. 

And then there are funiture stores.  Lots of the traditionals that sold big time brands are out of business in favor of Ashely and Rooms to Go, Pottery Barn, Crate and Barrel and IKEA. 

I think this points more to a cultural shift. 

Name:	MartiniMan -	Reply
Subject:	MORE ECONOMIC NEWS
Date:	6/16/2015 9:57:03 AM

Agree with you.  Retail and restaurants are both tough businesses.  One day you're hot and the in thing and the next day you are passe.  Takes a lot of hard work and vision to succeed over the long haul in both businesses.  I also think that online shopping is hurting brick and morter stores with clothing.  Never thought I would say that as you would think people would like to try something on before they buy it but the cost savings are too good to pass up and it can always be returned for a refund.

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	MORE ECONOMIC NEWS
Date:	6/16/2015 2:57:07 PM

And more and more companies are offering free shipping, often both ways.  I frequently shop online with stores where I know exactly what size I wear.