Shopping Centers Today Magazine recently ran this article titled, "Retailers to open 40,000 U.S. stores in 2014." This is uplifting news as the nation continues a slow pull out of the economic doldrums. Some of the larger opening announcements have come among food and discount retailers including Aldi (650 new stores by 2018), Dollar General (730 new stores in 2015), and Casey's General Store (72 to 108 new stores). Tempering this optimism, however, are closing announcements from some of our oldest and most trusted retailers. Sears just announced it will close another 235 stores; Aeropostale is closing 75 stores; and Target recently announced that it will close 11 stores. The discount department store and apparel sectors are taking it on the chin.
As we see the retail world changing in the face of the omni-channel movement, we are sure to lose more stores. However, the new reality brings with it a slew of pure e-tailers opening physical locations and exciting new concepts opening among existing retailers. As you will read in this article, we may be on the cusp of a time when the physical store becomes so well-tuned to a consumer's individual needs and likes that going shopping is an experience like none you can find while surfing the Net (think even better Apple stores). Hang on, of course. It will be a bumpy ride.