“We’re sad to say that all The Limited stores nationwide have officially closed their doors,” and with that, after over 50 years, The Limited shut down their brick and mortar operation.
All the best to the displaced workers and loyal shoppers.
As a start to the new year, John-Henry Perera of the Houston Chronicle reported on the potential demise of three former retail power houses by years end – J.C.Penney, Sears and Container Stores.
This is not necessarily news. For one, the death of Sears/Kmart has been predicted for years while they continue to limp along. Perera’s column is based on forecast from the corporate research unit of Graphic, FindTheCompany. Based on the Altman Z-Scores, FindTheCompany predicted the likelihood of these three retailers bankruptcies. FindTheCompany previously forecast the demise of Aeropostale and Quicksilver using the Altman Z-score.
For more: http://listings.findthecompany.com/stories/14107/companies-disappear-2017
I had the opportunity to drive out to the Portland International Airport (PDX) on the December 31st to pick up my wife returning from Vancouver, BC. Many people dread a trip to an airport particularly if they are not taking off to some exotic place and I would generally consider myself one of those. I have done enough travel in my time to generally dislike most airports.
But not PDX. Those of you that have had a chance to use PDX know that it is a pleasant airport with decent parking, a manageable size, quick & friendly TSA security and operated efficiently; all of which adds up to make PDX a great airport. But you do not have to take my word for it. Travel & Leisure magazine has named Portland’s airport “The Best Domestic Airport” for four years running and Conde Nast ranked PDX the second best airport for 2016 recognizing it for its local shops.
While in the car, I was listening to Oregon Public Broadcasting that was featuring authors talking about the first adult book the read when they were young that influenced them as a writers today. One of the interviewed named The Heart is a Lonely Hunter as being most influential to her. After describing the book, I decided that I would have to get ahold of the book and read it. Which brings me to the focus of this post.
On January 1st, 2014, the first recreational marijuana shops opens for business in Colorado.
I took the opportunity to wander through Holiday Land at Macy’s in downtown Portland last week. This particular Macy’s store is closing in the coming months; the building started as a Meier and Frank’s in 1909.
As I watched the children anxiously waiting to visit with Santa, I could not help but think of the countless other children who made Macy’s a family tradition for Christmas that will soon only be a memory.
Here is a little homage to the store and its logo.
PDX Xmas display from Louis Vuitton
When one of your favorite stores opens a new location in your area it can be exciting. That happened recently in Portland. And while it seems strange to write this, we got our own Amazon store.
On December 28th, 2000, after 128 years in business Montgomery Ward announced was closing up shop.
DEBENHAMS AT CHRISTMAS
On December 25th, 1813, William Debenham joined William Clark at Clark’s drapery shop on 44 Wigmore Street in London. This partnership was the creation of Debenham’s Department Store.
Clark had been in operation since 1778 meaning that Debenham’s can trace its roots back over 238 years, The company has grown to over 175 stores operating in the UK, Ireland and Denmark (Mostly though acquisitions).
Toad Lane Museum from the outside, first premises of “The Rochdale Pioneers” early successful retail Co-operative, Rochdale England. by Scarletharlot69
On December 21,1844, the Rochdale Equitable Pioneers opened their tiny shop at 31 Toad Lane. After working months to recruit 28 members and collect £28 in capital (£1 from each member), the store had finally opened. Unlike other shops, the Pioneers operated as a cooperative.
The shelves were sparsely stocked with butter, sugar, flour, oatmeal and a few candles. Merchandise was soon expanded to include tea and tobacco and the co-op earned a reputation for providing unadulterated, high quality goods at a fair price.
While certainly not the first cooperative, the Rochdale Pioneers was the first successful modern co-op. What set the Pioneers up for success was the adoption of the now famous Rochdale Principles.
The principles continue to guide all modern retail co-ops. From their humble beginning, the co-op movement began and within 10 years there were nearly 1,000 cooperatives operating in Britain.
The Rochdale Pioneers work continues today with 4500 locations, 4.5 million active members, over 70,000 employees and revenue of £9.36 billion. http://www.coop.co.uk
The Observant Customer 