Many people do all their shopping online and get clothes, electronics, books, music, movies, groceries and restaurant food delivered to their home -- and then complain that there's an "obesity epidemic." *Sigh*
Target to buy grocery delivery startup Shipt for $550 million in challenge to Amazon
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articl...e-day-delivery
Business Insider calls Walmart vs. Amazon "the clash of the titans."
Walmart and Amazon's long-simmering feud exploded in 2017 — and it's redefining retail
Business Insider, Dec 15 2017
Amazon and Walmart competed more fiercely in 2017 than ever before. It has quickly become the biggest feud in retail — and possibly all of business. With all the new features that have been unveiled, consumers are the clear winners.
http://www.businessinsider.com/walma...e-year-2017-12
This sounds like something from an old episode of The Jetsons but it's actually from Forbes' website:
Retail's store of the future: brand-free customization and tech-free service with a human touch
http://www.forbes.com/sites/barbarat.../#163216bb5a32
Shoplifters who were caught could avoid criminal prosecution by paying a fee and taking a course on retail theft -- but no longer:
Walmart drops in-house punishment for shoplifters
http://www.upi.com/top_news/us/12/22...2831513972935/
Families used to play Monopoly, Scrabble, Clue and The Game Of Life. How low we've sunk!
Target recalls Jewish-themed 'Cards Against Humanity' game over offensive content
JTA, Dec 29 2017 7:01 AM
Target is recalling a Jewish-themed version of a card game that features offensive content. The popular and intentionally offensive Cards Against Humanity game asks players to compete for the funniest or least appropriate answer to a fill-in-the-blank question. Cards in the "Chosen People Pack" version were flagged on social media in recent days for prompts such as "The Jews are behind everything — the banks, the media, even _____!" and an answer reading "Torturing Jews until they say they aren’t Jews anymore."
A Target spokesperson said, "We are removing this extended card pack from our stores. We apologize for any disappointment as it is never our intention to offend our guests with the products we carry." A "Jew Pack" set of cards is still available on the game maker’s website, which describes the game as "a party game for horrible people. Unlike most of the party games you’ve played before, Cards Against Humanity is as despicable and awkward as you and your friends."
https://www.jta.org/2017/12/29/news-...ensive-content
A growing number of young Americans are shunning the huge malls and shopping for clothing and accessories online and at independent boutiques. Credit Suisse estimates that one-fourth of America's malls will close by 2022. Women's Wear Daily writer Misty White Sidell offers an analysis of why malls are dying -- and what could save them:
How the mall, once a pop-culture touchstone, fell out of fashion
http://www.latimes.com/fashion/la-ig...229-story.html
It's tempting to blame Amazon for the closures of so many stores -- but Amazon had nothing to do with the demise of Mervyns, Circuit City, Montgomery Ward, Fashion Bug, Gottschalks, Thom McAn, Kinney Shoes, Rexall Drug, Chief Auto Parts and F.W. Woolworth. (That was me being "the voice of reason.")
More than 3,600 stores will close in 2018
Business Insider, Dec 31 2017
The record-high rate of store closures that rocked the retail industry this year is expected to spill into 2018, with more than 3,600 closures already on tap for next year. Walgreens, Payless, Gap, Ann Taylor, Rue 21 and Toys Я Us are among the many retailers expected to shutter hundreds of stores. Some companies' closures will take effect immediately, such as Sears and Kmart, which plan to close a total of 63 stores in January. Other closures are already underway and could last several months before completion.
The list of expected closures: http://www.businessinsider.com/store...n-2018-2017-12
The Justice Department might try to block such a move by Amazon: "Yesterday, Whole Foods. Today, Target. Tomorrow, the world! Nyah-ha-haaa!"
Analyst Gene Munster thinks Amazon could buy Target this year
http://www.msn.com/en-us/money/compa...D=ansmsnnews11
Macy's announces 5,000 job cuts, more store closures
http://www.msn.com/en-us/money/compa...D=ansmsnnews11
I posted a story December 30 -- Go look! -- about the increasing unpopularity of shopping malls. Here is a related story. Almost 2,500 mall stores, including Hallmark, Bebe, Subway, MasterCuts and Stride Rite, went out of business in 2017 and this year may be equally dismal.
Shopping malls continue downward spiral as smaller stores quietly disappear
http://www.foxbusiness.com/features/...tly-disappear/
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