The Retail Apocalypse
Shopping malls and major retailers are closing all across the country as consumers embrace online options.
These flashy signs are found in stores once they are going out of business, to grab customers attention in order to sell out of their stock.
Deserted shopping malls, bold signs proclaiming “Everything Must Go,” and dark, vacant stores.
This phenomenon is known as the Retail Apocalypse, the closing of a large number of brick and mortar retail stores since about 2010.
While many baby boomers tend to view e-commerce as the main cause, there are actually several factors that play in.
First, consumer habits have shifted in the last decade toward online shopping.
“You don’t have salespeople harassing you,” senior Katie Tawney said.
Others enjoy the convenience and large range of choices online.
“Having two small children, a husband, a household, and a full-time job doesn’t leave a ton of time for shopping,” English teacher Mrs. French said.
Most parents seem to have a nostalgic love for malls. In the 80s and 90s, America experienced a mall boom.
Between 1970 and 2015, the growth rate of malls was twice of the population. This oversupply factors into why it appears a lot of malls are closing.
Studies show that on a Saturday night, people are more inclined to go out to eat than to eat in and then go shopping. According to a concept known as the “Restaurant Renaissance,” consumers prefer spending their money on experiences (dining out, traveling, etc) versus material purchases.
Years ago, there were not as many options for shopping other than department stores. Now, there are big-box stores, discount stores, wholesale, and the entire world of online shopping. With more options, the market is spread more thin.
From an economic standpoint, the Retail Apocalypse is a delayed effect from the Great Recession in the late 2000s and is also and effect of the death of the American middle class.
While things may seem depressing, plenty of stores are not letting the apocalypse stop their shop.
Stores that are still successful include Walmart, Target, low-cost fashion brands (H&M), off-price department stores (TJMaxx, Marshall’s), and dollar stores.
Also, many consumers still prefer shopping in a store.
“I don’t really like shopping online. I like to actually “touch” the clothes and see what they look like up close instead of hating them when they arrive and realizing I have to send them back – kind of a pain, if you ask me,” social studies teacher Mrs. Dallmeyer said.
People from all generations feel this way.
“I prefer shopping in stores because you can try clothes on and don’t have to take everything I order back because it doesn’t fit,” senior Lily Jamison said.
The retail apocalypse has made its mark on both of York county’s malls
The York Galleria has changed significantly in the past few years. Many stores left the mall, including three out of the four anchor department stores in the past five years.
“I love JC Penney and do not like having to drive all the way to Lancaster to shop there,” health teacher Miss Bream said.
New additions to the mall include a Gold’s Gym, and a mini-casino set to replace Sears in the near future. Marshall’s was also added last spring. These changes reflect consumers shift in what they want from malls.
“I hate how the York Galleria has so many open spaces! In high school the mall was filled with stores,” French teacher Mr. Hare said.
Some teachers even carry for nostalgia for stores that have been gone for many, many years.
“One of my favorite stores was B. Moss at the Galleria. Loved that store. I think I still own some clothes from there!” Dallmeyer said.
In 2014, the York West Manchester mall was “demalled” and turned into the West Manchester Town Center. The open-air mall now allows each store to have a storefront entrance, giving it exposure to traffic from Route 30.
Over the past few years, the stores have been replaced with more popular ones previously not found in York including Hobby Lobby, DSW, Loft, Charming Charlie’s, Kirkland’s, and At Home. Several restaurants opened in the center as well such as Mod Pizza and Buffalo Wild Wings.
One thing is clear, stores will have to continue to make changes in order to survive the retail apocalypse.
Your donation will support the student journalists of Dallastown Area High School. Your contribution will allow us to purchase equipment and cover our annual website hosting costs.
