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crazycatlady

(4,492 posts)

79. I used to work for a dept store

Wed Apr 12, 2017, 11:36 AM

Apr 2017

And I witnessed the firsthand transformation back in about 2001. Keep in mind this was a lower end store (I don't want to name the company, but it is not a traditional mall anchor but is instead in strip malls).

When I first started there, the departments were subdivided each with a FT associate in charge. As people started leaving, the FT positions were eliminated and combined with a PT skeleton crew. It was impossible to learn your dept well because it got too big. For example, the kids' department was divided into girls, boys, and infant/toddlers. It was possible for someone to learn the boys' dept well, but not three. Same was in other ones. Misses was separated into casual, career, and plus and eventually they were combined. Hardlines was housewares, domestics, and seasonal soon to be one.

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Everyone knew the web would affect retail, but a "retail meltdown" [View all] CK_John Apr 2017 OP

Unemployment is not the same thing as theaocp Apr 2017 #1

The super-wealthy became much super-wealthier. What more do we need? Orrex Apr 2017 #9

It's been quietly excellent. Chellee Apr 2017 #42

I like your post!!! rainy Apr 2017 #54

What jobs will replace retail? Demsrule86 Apr 2017 #65

I am as guilty as anyone of doing more internet shopping. And... it saddens me hlthe2b Apr 2017 #2

I don't know if we are part of the problem get the red out Apr 2017 #3

My concern is nobody is preparing for economic collapse due to automation. CK_John Apr 2017 #6

I agree get the red out Apr 2017 #23

Every change causes more changes. New patterns Hortensis Apr 2017 #37

They said the same thing about the Inclosure Acts in Britiain... in 1800 Sen. Walter Sobchak Apr 2017 #40

I internet shop too. Often Amazon but for clothes I go to Kohls & Macy online KittyWampus Apr 2017 #16

We also have way too much stuff crazycatlady Apr 2017 #4

You are very brave to buy a bathing suit on line. 3catwoman3 Apr 2017 #19

It actually fits me fine crazycatlady Apr 2017 #25

All the "skinny" jeans and low rise... 3catwoman3 Apr 2017 #29

Not too far.back in the day, I had a small waist and wide hips but no rear to speak of... hedda_foil Apr 2017 #38

I agree. I didn't have to shop for my last couple of vacations ecstatic Apr 2017 #60

What role does open carry play and the fear factor? n/t malaise Apr 2017 #5

Good point. blue neen Apr 2017 #7

Very little, a gun isn't going to fix anything, UBI will. CK_John Apr 2017 #8

0.00034% snooper2 Apr 2017 #20

I think your number is a little high. Captain Stern Apr 2017 #82

Really? aikoaiko Apr 2017 #77

I also wonder if a certain segment of the population is just deciding to buy less crap? Freethinker65 Apr 2017 #10

IMO, it's just society ajusting to the fact that their jobs are in flux. CK_John Apr 2017 #11

Many shop on Amazon while in another store crazycatlady Apr 2017 #26

Message auto-removed Name removed Apr 2017 #28

I have no locally owned places for mailers crazycatlady Apr 2017 #31

certainly not the workers Skittles Apr 2017 #51

I never knew big box stores were so popular on DU crazycatlady Apr 2017 #56

You are doing the right thing MissB Apr 2017 #58

touchy, touchy Skittles Apr 2017 #59

That's certainly true for me. meadowlander Apr 2017 #32

Excellent point re: impulse buying. dixiegrrrrl Apr 2017 #35

We all have too much crap as is spinbaby Apr 2017 #45

Same here in the suburbs of Chicago Freethinker65 Apr 2017 #46

I've made the decision to move across the country crazycatlady Apr 2017 #47

I think that a lot of us 2naSalit Apr 2017 #12

I hope things pickup for you. CK_John Apr 2017 #13

Thanks, me too. 2naSalit Apr 2017 #14

The very best of luck to you! 3catwoman3 Apr 2017 #21

Thanks. I'll do that. 2naSalit Apr 2017 #48

Personal observation: commercial construction increases part of problem MedusaX Apr 2017 #15

Amazon shares will probably hit $1000+ soon. BSdetect Apr 2017 #17

I go to my local mall every winter work day. MissB Apr 2017 #61

Economic Recovery? Not really, mostly low paying service jobs. jalan48 Apr 2017 #18

There are a shitload of jobs available... snooper2 Apr 2017 #22

Sounds like maybe the issue is really about lazy Americans looking for a handout. jalan48 Apr 2017 #24

Catching alligators / Minneapolis jberryhill Apr 2017 #63

Job Class: NR Parks Specialist Intermediate snooper2 Apr 2017 #64

Looks like I'm on my way to Minneapolis jberryhill Apr 2017 #66

Well, Had You Said Crocodiles. . . ProfessorGAC Apr 2017 #84

The recession was a long time ago taught_me_patience Apr 2017 #80

Technology should bring benefits to all - shorter working hours and more leisure time - Doodley Apr 2017 #27

This was predicted in the 50's when marybourg Apr 2017 #53

Probably would have been a great idea . . . . HughBeaumont Apr 2017 #67

Any support for this? NCTraveler Apr 2017 #30

Many of these large corporations have played a large role in their own demise. NCTraveler Apr 2017 #33

It is just not from lobbying crazycatlady Apr 2017 #74

+1 "Of course there are many reasons." nt. NCTraveler Apr 2017 #78

The rents are too damn high voteearlyvoteoften Apr 2017 #34

I shop online for nearly everything that I can get there. DUFan Apr 2017 #36

There are a lot more reasons Sen. Walter Sobchak Apr 2017 #39

One other BIG factor is RENT. The rent is too damn high. I have been saying this for over 8 years. nikibatts Apr 2017 #41

yes rent is a huge problem JI7 Apr 2017 #44

too many same chain stores JI7 Apr 2017 #43

We don't want any more Chinese crap AwakeAtLast Apr 2017 #49

that's a pretty xenophobic attitude, radius777 Apr 2017 #50

Not xenophobic at all AwakeAtLast Apr 2017 #71

Gee, what a crime--to want one's own national economy to thrive! WinkyDink Apr 2017 #72

if it's intertwined w/xenophobic (and racist) attitudes then radius777 Apr 2017 #86

Most old-school retailers simply haven't kept up with the times. radius777 Apr 2017 #52

IMO, Walmart to me seems to be fading away and may end up just a catalog outlet CK_John Apr 2017 #55

Not where I live---within 20 miles of 4, with one right behind my house. WinkyDink Apr 2017 #73

Posted today-Wal-Mart is cutting hundreds of jobs to slash costs. CK_John Apr 2017 #76

A business owned by a family worth over 100 BILLION . . . with a B . . . is cutting costs. HughBeaumont Apr 2017 #85

well, I was speaking more about their click-n-mortar radius777 Apr 2017 #87

Online sales aren't killing retail nearly as much as low wages are Warpy Apr 2017 #57

Personally i moved to a area with lousy marlakay Apr 2017 #62

Maybe they are spending all their money on housing. alarimer Apr 2017 #68

No surprise here. Baitball Blogger Apr 2017 #69

Greedy landlords. WinkyDink Apr 2017 #70

I still shop in department stores for clothing, shoes accessories jewelry and makeup TNLib Apr 2017 #75

I used to work for a dept store crazycatlady Apr 2017 #79

Retail is getting slammed because people are going out to eat more taught_me_patience Apr 2017 #81

Surly clerks The Big Ragu Apr 2017 #83