Retail Apocalypse

Looking to Vacant Retail Spaces for Needed Housing Supply
The Phoenix City Council has taken the first steps toward zoning reforms that can balance out the oversupply of retail spaces at one end of the market and the lack of housing units at the other.

The State of Commercial Corridors (And Hot to Protect Them During the Pandemic)
The pandemic is accelerating recent trends in commercial real estate with potentially catastrophic consequences for the commercial corridors that play such a fundamental role in the urban fabric.

J. Crew the First National Apparel Chain to Fall During the Pandemic; More Expected to Follow
Another brutal chapter of the retail apocalypse is underway.

A Death Knell for Department Stores
The latest chapter of the retail apocalypse is not a happy one.

American Dream Mall, Delayed Due to Coronavirus, Will Open Testing Facility
Delays have been part of the story with the American Dream mall in New Jersey since its earliest inception, and the mall has been lauded in the past for evolving to match the American retail landscape.

Beloved Businesses Should Not Struggle Silently
The demise of local businesses reached a crisis point long ago. To survive, they must resort to desperate measures—by actually asking for help. If they don't, the urban fabric will suffer.

Retail Apocalypse Blazes New Trails
The demise of a beloved outdoors gear chain in Southern California suggests that no store is safe in America's high-priced cities.
Mall Makeovers Have a Mixed-Use Flavor
Malls in metropolitan Atlanta are thinking outside the (big) box to reposition in the age of the retail apocalypse.

Understanding the 'Dark Store Theory' Costing Local Governments Millions in Property Tax
The New York Times takes a deep dive into the "dark store theory" costing local municipalities millions, and potentially more, in property tax revenues all over the country.

6 Charts to Summarize the 'Retail Apocalypse' in 2018
2018 was more of the same for the demise of retail businesses in the United States.

Did the Supreme Court End the 'Retail Apocalypse'?
The decision in South Dakota v. Wayfair certainly didn't hurt traditional retailers, but they're still going to have to help themselves in the face of competition from online retail.

Corner Store as Gathering Place
Chicago-based Foxtrot looks to expand their new convenience store concept with a nationwide roll-out.

Competition, Debt Faulted in Bankruptcies of Two Major Food Retailers
Two major grocery store companies announced bankruptcy this week, sparking fears that the "retail apocalypse" has expanded to food retailers.

No More Toys R Us, Kids
Toys R Us will shut down all its remaining stores in the final blow of a process that began with bankruptcy filing in September 2017.

Friday Fun: Can You Save the American Mall? (The Video Game)
It's a free online video game, in retro 8-bit style. What could go wrong?

Innovative Approaches May Save Physical Retail
In places like San Jose, "new approaches to the storefront" are paying dividends for physical retailers willing to experiment.
The 'Retail Apocalypse' Visits New York City
The trend of store closures sweeping the nation has not passed up New York City. The Guardian takes an in-depth look at the market forces at work on the famous commercial corridors of New York City.

Retail Job Decline Tilts Toward Rural Areas
While warehousing and ecommerce jobs are steadily increasing in most parts of the country, rural areas are particularly hard hit by the struggles of the retail sector.

Private Equity, Debt, and the Real Causes of the 'Retail Apocalypse'
David Duyen identifies an under-reported culprit in the so-called "retail apocalypse," and challenges policy makers to respond.

Ross May Be Immune from the Amazon Effect
Ross Stores continues its expansion in the face of a much-foretold retail apocalypse. The shopping experience it provides may be one reason it can stand up to Amazon.
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