| “Department
stores today have stripped out the benefits
of shopping them. Consumers have higher
expectations of department stores but they’re
finding more pleasant experiences in other
venues. Until department stores rethink
what they are, they’re not going to
recover.”
—
C. Britt Beemer, Chairman
America’s Research Group
(WWD, June 26, 2002)
• Department
stores are losing share to specialty and
discount retailers.
• Consumers are
cross-shopping multiple retail channels.
• Growth of open
sell and customer self-reliant formats.
• Mass/class
boundaries are dissolving.
|
