Death of the Department Store?
…RISE OF THE INDEPENDENT
Neon Clothing Store - Montreal, Quebec, Canada
"Death of the Department Store: Very Few Are Likely to Survive” was the title of an article published in the New York Times a few days ago.
While the news is tough to read for anyone in the retail business, I believe this will open up a great opportunity for our local, independent retailers. Having had the good fortune of working with “Specialty" independents for most of my career, I have seen firsthand how dynamic, hardworking and innovative our independent retailers really are. They are built on generations of weathering storms like the one we are facing.
Marco Maiolo, Patty & Moses Goldberg (Owners of Casa Raul), Kori Rubin (Sr. Acct Executive, Levi’s®)
Thinking about some of the great independent retailers I have worked with over the years, like Casa Raul in Laredo, TX, Neon Clothing Store in Montreal, Canada or even one of the “newer" retailers on the block, Blue Seven in Oklahoma City, OK; all of them share common traits. They all have passionate owners that care about their communities, bring great everyday value and customer service, and have a loyal following that was built one interaction at a time. It is beautiful, really.
Coming out of this global shutdown, consumers will rethink how, why and where they buy product. Of course, Amazon & other Ecommerce businesses will continue to prevail; however, a resurgence in “buying local”, especially in smaller communities across the US & Canada, will (and should!) become more of the norm.
It’s time to rethink retail and start Patronizing Your Hometown Merchant – he’s your neighbor!
