Where You Won't Shop In 2009 (store closings and bankruptcies)

Forbes ^ | 1/20/09 | Tom Van Riper

[Wolfstar]

While industry executives and shoppers will remember 2008 as the year the party ended, figure 2009 to be the year of the hangover. Already, Circuit City, Linens 'N Things and Mervyn's stores are going away. Sharper Image is too, though the company will continue to sell some of its high-end gadgets through license agreements with other retailers.

More pain is on the way. One-third of U.S. women recently surveyed by America's Research Group said they plan no clothing purchases--none--in 2009. Normally, it's just 4%. That means the market is still far too saturated with stores.

Expect closings and bankruptcies to rattle the likes of Lane Bryant, Gap (nyse: GPS - news - people ), and Starbucks (nasdaq: SBUX - news - people ). It's the inevitable counterpunch to the days of retailers fighting hand over fist for market share during an era of loose credit and minuscule interest rates.

[SNIP]

Another possible casualty: Sears Holdings (nasdaq: SHLD - news - people ), operator of Sears and Kmart stores.

[Wolfstar]

Others mentioned are Pep Boys, Pacific Sunwear, Zales Jewelry, Eddie Bauer, Sprint Nextel, Cheesecake Factory, Mrs. Fields Cookies, Applebee's

[BossLady]

I think many of the ‘chain restaurants’ will be terminated in the next year. Who wants to pay too much for mediocre food ;)

[swordfishtrombone]

Lane Bryant, Mrs. Fields AND Timberland?!

"Women, Children, Minorities Hit Hardest By Recession"

[Milly]

Local Nbc News DFW announced Tonight 3 Albertson’s Grocery Stores in Plano, Allan and Arlington Closing sale has started.

[WestCoastGal]

Oh no, not Cheesecake Factory - I love their food. Their menu is like a book.

[Kenny500c]

W.T. Grant, E. J. Korvettes, Lafayette Radio, Gimbels, Sterns, Bradlees, Caldors, Two Guys From Harrison...

[Wolfstar]

Oh no, not Cheesecake Factory - I love their food. Their menu is like a book.

Sigh. Yeah. I've had many a fun meal with friends and co-workers at the Cheesecake Factory in Marina del Rey.

[politicket]

Washington, D.C., California, Illinois, New York....

[Radix]

I sure wish that my old local bank never got taken over.

That little outfit sure did a great job for me back in the day.

[Wolfstar]

W.T. Grant, E. J. Korvettes, Lafayette Radio, Gimbels, Sterns, Bradlees, Caldors, Two Guys From Harrison.

I'll be sorry to see Gimbels go, if only because I was born and raised in the NYC metro area and my dad took me to Gimbels many times when I was a kid.

[LiberConservative]

We live in interesting times. Maybe I'm too old fashioned and traditional and conservative, but I won't miss a lot of these names. The local diner a few blocks away is doing very well. Best Buy a little further is always booming and they sell me all the tech stuff I could want. And the local Kroger grocery will be around forever, right? Our economy is retracting. It's painful, but it's all good.

[Vozda]

Don’t forget the single moms!

[Wolfstar]

Washington, D.C., California, Illinois, New York...

LOL! I don't know how I managed to become a conservative Republican. I was born in New Jersey, lived in the New York City metro area throughout my childhood, then moved to the Los Angeles area 32 years ago. I'm currently thinking of moving to Utah even though I'm not a Mormon. The only problem I have is figuring out how to bring the Pacific Ocean with me. ;-)

[Wolfstar]

I sure wish that my old local bank never got taken over.

That's the problem with big chains swallowing up small local outfits. They lose the common touch.

[WestCoastGal]

I hope that only means they may close some restaurants.

As far as clothing is concerned, I’ve found that thrift stores are my best friend. I’ve found designer clothing and can dress better than Michelle 0bama for $1.99 and up. My favorite is an animal rescue league in a small town near a large city somewhat close to where I live.

As a matter of fact I was there today and found Jones NY, Saks Fifth and a few other things including books.

[vetvetdoug]

I hate to see Zales having rough times. I dated Candy Zales my first year at Midwestern University; she was a very nice lady and her family class acts. These are some trying times.

[OBXWanderer]

Food Lion in North Carolina...sorryist excuse for a grocery store, ANYWHERE,

anyone remember the cloroxed fish from a few years back??????

[ventana]

OK, so you are from the metro ny area...
:)

V’s wife.

[Paladin2]

"One-third of U.S. women recently surveyed by America's Research Group said they plan no clothing purchases--none--in 2009"

Talk is cheap. Get back to me in September and we'll see who bought nothing.

[TribalPrincess2U]

We just got a new Cheesecake Factory here by the new Barnes & Noble.

Never been in the CCF. Do they actually serve food and not cheescake only?