If Dillard's goes down

[joiei]

If Dillard's goes down then all we are left with is Macy's and Wal-mart.  Retail is in trouble.  More here

[BKDotCom]

That sucks.  At least here in Tulsa we've got more options.   What strange 3-store community are you in?

[RecycleMichael]

I have decided to make my own clothes. I have enough single socks to wardrobe an entire family.

I spent the first two days just trying to put thread through a needle. You would think they would come pre-thread (that is an idea that could win one of those big entrepreneurial idea checks).

It has been hard. I have pricked my fingers so many times it looks like a have a pet porcupine. The clothes haven't exactly been worthy of a supermodel runway, but have caused some people to run away from me.

The best part is that now my socks always match my outfit.

[sauerkraut]

There's always Target, but alot of people don't like Targets high prices, and the company banned the "Bell Ringers" for the needy. I think Target is about the only major store company that won't allow Bell-Ringers in front of their stores. As for me I'm pretty much a big Wal-Mart shopper.[B)]

[Jonette]

I have stepped into Dillards maybe twice in my life. Wayyyyy too expensive for my taste. I dont even look at the sales circular.

I am a Wal-mart shopper. I also think Target is high priced. Haven't been in one for over 2 years.

Wal-mart,Family Dollar, Dollar General, Old Navy,Bath and Body, Foot Locker, Lady Foot Locker, Shoe Carnival, Oh Yeah, thrift stores, Yep thats about it. Sounds boring, but I just get all I need from those stores and I am fine with that.



[]

[zstyles]

I love dillards..when they have a good sale...

[inteller]

quote:Originally posted by sauerkraut

There's always Target, but alot of people don't like Targets high prices, and the company banned the "Bell Ringers" for the needy. I think Target is about the only major store company that won't allow Bell-Ringers in front of their stores. As for me I'm pretty much a big Wal-Mart shopper.[B)]

well don't you know?  It is because target is "classy".  They are so "classy" they have uniformed security guards to greet you at the door instead of smocked greeters handing out stickers....because giving stickers to kids lacks class (that and a target bullseye is not something you want to wear back to the ghetto).

So remember, when you are buying your overpriced IKEA-esque rubbish that you can get for less cost at Wal-mart, remember that you are doing it because you are "classy" and you won't be bothered by those classless bell ringers when you leave.

[azbadpuppy]

quote:Originally posted by sauerkraut

There's always Target, but alot of people don't like Targets high prices, and the company banned the "Bell Ringers" for the needy. I think Target is about the only major store company that won't allow Bell-Ringers in front of their stores. As for me I'm pretty much a big Wal-Mart shopper.[B)]

Sorry, you're wrong. Many big stores do not allow solicitation, including Albertson's, Best Buy, Costco, Home Depot, Barnes and Noble, etc. etc. etc. at the request of their customers.

I for one am all for the ban on solicitation. Although the Salvation Army does good work, to allow them solicitation rights, you have to allow everyone solicitation rights to stand in front of your store, asking everyone for money as they walk by. That is annoying to customers simply wanting to shop, and who already give to the charities of their choice.

Also, please note that Target is always listed at the top of the list of Forbes top 100 charitable businesses. They also have partnered with Salvation Army to donate 1 million dollars to create an on-line version of the "Angel Tree program" so people can give on line instead of soliciting on the street. They also give away approximately 3 million dollars a week to various charities.

To blast Target for not being 'charitable' is just idiotic. They are actually doing their customers a favor by listening to them and responding to the complaints that solicitors are annoying. Wal Mart should do the same.

And anyone who thinks Targets are 'classy' should really try to get out more. The fact is Target is simply a better run store with better merchandise and better company policies than its competitors. If that means I have to pay .25 more for a bar of soap, its a small price to pay, really.

[zstyles]

I give them all a "Merry Christmas" when I pass by.....that is worth more than my money could ever buy in my opinion

[inteller]

quote:Originally posted by azbadpuppy

The fact is Target is simply a better run store with better merchandise and better company policies than its competitors. If that means I have to pay .25 more for a bar of soap, its a small price to pay, really.

well, for a company whose sales have been down the last 3 quarters, apparently people don't agree with those "facts". Target is hurting so badly, they have considered selling the land underneath their stores.  And THAT is a fact

[Pebbles]

I have gotten my best deals at Dillards's end of the season sales.  I pay the equivalent of Wal-Mart prices for name brand clothes.  I will miss Dillards when it is gone.

[inteller]

quote:Originally posted by Pebbles

I have gotten my best deals at Dillards's end of the season sales.  I pay the equivalent of Wal-Mart prices for name brand clothes.  I will miss Dillards when it is gone.

I missed the dillard's outlet store in Eastland mall.  now THAT was where the deals were....and it was fun to go look at 1980s mall decor.

[nathanm]

quote:Originally posted by Jonette

I have stepped into Dillards maybe twice in my life. Wayyyyy too expensive for my taste. I dont even look at the sales circular.

Dillard's is like JC Penney. Overpriced normal pricing more than made up for by awesome sales.

I'd be upset if they were to go, though. They're the only national chain to reliably carry Ecco shoes, so if I find myself needing shoes anywhere remotely near a Dillard's, I know I can get new ones. (even if I do have to pay only a few bucks less than list) []

Edited to add: Target is hurting because people feel poor at the moment. Most people refuse to pay for quality when they feel poor.

I went to Wal-Mart the other day (the one in Bixby) because I wanted a video game that happens to be a WMT exclusive. It reinforced my dislike for the place.

Target is marginally better, but I have a general hatred for 40 acre stores, no matter what they're selling.

And as far as them selling the land, didn't the rules change on REITs in the last year or so, making them less attractive? Or is it just that there's no tax benefit to owning the land when the land is going down in value? I forget.

[azbadpuppy]

quote:Originally posted by inteller

quote:Originally posted by azbadpuppy

The fact is Target is simply a better run store with better merchandise and better company policies than its competitors. If that means I have to pay .25 more for a bar of soap, its a small price to pay, really.

well, for a company whose sales have been down the last 3 quarters, apparently people don't agree with those "facts". Target is hurting so badly, they have considered selling the land underneath their stores.  And THAT is a fact

True, their earnings have been down over last year, but total sales were up 1.7 percent from last year.

The issue has more to do with their ailing credit card division, which has seen a huge increase in defaults (loss of 83 million over last year), and the fact that Target's sales have been around 40% in non-essential items, which as everyone knows, nobody is buying right now. Consumers seem to be focusing on cheap necessities (enter Wal Mart).

Target is more vulnerable in an economic downturn because it offers better, higher quality merchandise and is perceived to be more 'upscale', especially in the non-essential items.

As far as selling off their land, that was a proposal by one of their shareholders. It actually looks good on paper, and Target may be wise to do it.

First of all, Target is one of the only retailers that actually owns the land under their stores (big advantage!). It could be worth much more to Target shareholders if it were transferred to a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) that would be spun off to Target shareholders. A REIT invests in real estate and isn't taxed on its profits, as long as it distributes virtually all of the profits to shareholders.

All told, the real-estate spinout plan could double the value of Target shares within a year and triple it three or four years. In addition, with all the tax savings, Target could step up its share buyback program enough to increase annual earnings growth over the next five years to 17.6% from 14.7%. That would make Target the fastest-growing retailer among its peers.

All the info is here: http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/CompanyFocus/targets-next-big-sale-real-estate.aspx?page=1

I know you would love to think Target is going under and desperate, but it just ain't so- sorry!  

[inteller]

quote:Originally posted by nathanm

Originally posted by Jonette
Edited to add: Target is hurting because people feel poor at the moment. Most people refuse to pay for quality when they feel poor.

most people refuse to pay for bull**** when they are rich too, which is all target is peddling.  You know what the only thing of higher quality is in the store?  The shopping carts.

The MDF build it yourself shelves are just as ****ty at target as they are wal-mart.  The difference is target glazes thiers with a IKEA maple finish or throws on some brushed aluminum accents.  Thats not quality, that's lipstick on a pig.

target does well when it can because it fluffs people's ego.  You are shopping at a ****ing big box store.  There is nothing "superior" or "better" to that.  If you want to feel better about yourself because you think you are spending more for "quality", go shop at Utica Square.  but puh-lease, spare me the antics that target is oh so much better than Wal-mart....just because it isn't walmart.