Free Republic

By now, just about everyone has watched one or more local stores close their doors for good. Lowe’s, a hardware and home improvement store that has been around for 72 years, is closing around 50 of their locations just after Christmas. They’re the most recent victim of the retail apocalypse. Thousands of brick and mortar stores closed their doors this year as executives tried to staunch the bleeding in some companies and othersHere’ went bankrupt. Buyers are flocking to the internet to purchase their goods from companies with lower overhead (and thus lower prices.) And the economy, despite claims of...

Dismal holiday season leads retailers to shutter stores Zale, Liz Claiborne and Pacific Sunwear are among the companies planning closures. Quiksilver may sell another division. By Leslie Earnest, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer January 18, 2008 Taking stock of a rough holiday season, retailers are shuttering stores and trimming expansion plans as they stare down edgy consumers. Industry analysts said Thursday that there was little mystery behind the plans announced by several chains this month. "We're in poor economic times, and when you're in poor economic times, retailers close stores" and reduce the number they plan to open, said Eric...