Retail

The new retail numbers are out and big surprise, they are down.  Limited, which owns Victoria Secret, is down 10%.  A few times over the holiday shopping season I thought about running in there and picking up some sweats or undies for my daughter and niece.  Every time I passed one of their stores I would see this long line waiting to check out and pass.  The few times I was in a Victoria Secret or other Limited shop it seemed as though they had plenty of employees, just not enough checkers.  I'm assuming those manning the floor are trying to discourage shoplifters.  I haven't heard anything on what the losses are from theft but it must be awfully high.  There should be some way to eliminate those losses but it must be more difficult than I imagine.  I've never worked in retail so I have no frame of reference.

In addition to the poor economy I think part of the slow sales can be attributed to the lack of anything very exciting to buy.  The styles are all fairly similar to previous years.    How many ipods can one person own?  (my daughter claims 2)  

My daughter wanted a Coach purse this year (not her main present, just an extra).  In past years I may have seriously considered getting her one but as I was walking through the mall I thought how ridiculous all these 13 year olds look hauling around these Coach bags.   She did get a Coach wristlet in her Easter basket last year so she is not too deprived.

In my opinion, it seems as though there has been too much excess.  I can get to 4 very nice malls in 15 minutes, 3 Targets, and 2 Walmarts.  I think some of the chains have just expanded beyond what the market can sustain.