Name:   Talullahhound - Subject:   Few will hear this news Date:   1/21/2016 4:39:35 PM

No I don't.  Let's address them individually -

Macy's - was just reading that Macy's is going heavily into their outlet stores (BTW, as did Nordstrom and Saks), and closing their department stores.  (changing customers shopping patterns). 

Sears - has been on life support for a long, long time.  The problem is that once Sears was known for their store brands which were highly regarded, think appliances and tools.  In recent years they have been sourcing these things oversears and the quality is not what it was.  Additionall Home Depot and Lowes have started carrying appliances most often at better prices. (changing customer shopping patterns).

Walmart - They are closing some store, 9 in AL, that have nothing to do with $15 minimum wage and they give their employees so few hours, they are unaffected by Obamacare.

J.C Penneys - Much the same as Sears.  They have tried to incoporate brands, like Lands End, without much success. Both Sears and JC Penney used to rely heavily on catalog sales, which are no longer on the upswing.  (changing customer shopping patterns). 

Kmart - been on life support for a long, long time due to challenges from Walmart and Target.  Even Martha Stewart blew them off.  (changing customer shopping patterns).

Office Depot- could not compete with Staples in the Free Market. 

Gap - Gap is interesting.  They failed to change their merchandizing and products to coincide with what consumers want to buy.  They also own Banana Republic.  Also they face stiff competition from Old Navy, which has a dedicated following and cheaper pricing. 

Walgreens - was bought out by Rite Aid.  You will see stores close as they consolidate. 

I know you would love to blame Obama and miniumum wage, but for these businesses that is just not the case.  Customers are moving away from traditional department stores, and into more specialized stores.  Companies are pouring their money into their outlet operation, because inexplicably, people think they are getting better deals at outlets (and I suspect outlets are cheaper to run).  And as Heidi Klum says "in fashion, one day you are in and the next day you are out".    Another store I expect to see bite the dust is Talbots, woman's clothes.  They have been struggling too.