Macy’s announcement Tuesday that it will close 150 stores, or nearly a third of its total, is the result of a once-great department store industry in decades of decline.
Did the cost of living contribute to the downfall of stores such as Macy’s? I’m willing to bet that in my age group it’s more of a factor than simply preferring online shopping.
Never understood why people stop at goodwill. Find it cheaper at a different used shop. And many times it will be in better condition. Plus a better selection of used movies. Maybe it’s different where you live but the ones I’ve been to in Minnesota just suck.
Well they used to be decent, then the wave of “Thrifting” videos came with all the “I spent 1¢ on something at goodwill and sold it on eBay for $2,000,000!!!” So goodwill started looking prices up to price things. Then they started diverting good stuff to more dedicated stores, electronics got diverted to their Computer stores, collectibles and antiques now go direct to their online store etc.
Goodwill is the Walmart of thrift stores and has started spreading its thrift store enshittification like a virus, now even “mom and pop” thrift stores think their Pentium III 512MB RAM desktop is worth $200 (An actual example I’ve seen)
All that’s left on shelves these days are almost junk or cost almost as much as new or the things that slipped through the cracks and actually got priced well
Did the cost of living contribute to the downfall of stores such as Macy’s? I’m willing to bet that in my age group it’s more of a factor than simply preferring online shopping.
I checked out my local Macy’s a couple times when they claimed to have sales, but I shopped quite frequently at the Goodwill across the street.
Never understood why people stop at goodwill. Find it cheaper at a different used shop. And many times it will be in better condition. Plus a better selection of used movies. Maybe it’s different where you live but the ones I’ve been to in Minnesota just suck.
Well they used to be decent, then the wave of “Thrifting” videos came with all the “I spent 1¢ on something at goodwill and sold it on eBay for $2,000,000!!!” So goodwill started looking prices up to price things. Then they started diverting good stuff to more dedicated stores, electronics got diverted to their Computer stores, collectibles and antiques now go direct to their online store etc.
Goodwill is the Walmart of thrift stores and has started spreading its thrift store enshittification like a virus, now even “mom and pop” thrift stores think their Pentium III 512MB RAM desktop is worth $200 (An actual example I’ve seen)
All that’s left on shelves these days are almost junk or cost almost as much as new or the things that slipped through the cracks and actually got priced well
I’ve finally got some money, so now I shop at Ross and TJ Maxx
Online definitely hurt these stores, but poor management on their part also contributed heavily.