Motley Fool has some pretty frightening charts for shopping-center landlords. Some of the largest tenants in the industry, such as Dillard’s, Abercrombie & Fitch and J.C. Penney are posting serious same-store sales declines.
And these companies are among the most trusted names in retail. Are we headed for more store closures?
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Counter Culture 
I used to work at a Dillard’s when I was in college and have to say that these number do not surprise me. It is probably the most poorly run business I have ever worked for. I’m actually surpirised they have made it this far through the great recession without going bankrupt.
One of the most trusted names in retail? I don’t know about that. I would put Macy’s, JC Penny, and Nordstroms way ahead of Dillard’s.
Not only are the numbers bad, it looks like they are leveling off at bad. Which is even worse. I hope this is not a trend for malls in general. JC Penney may be showing a slight up trend but the others are facing a disaster. Abercrombie is finished, their sales where based on marketing hype and no one is falling for the hype. And there is no second act.
I stopped shopping at Department stores when they stopped stocking a full-line of sizes. I am TALL. They ALWAYS stock very little of XL and XXL size which ALWAYS very quickly sells out and then they are left with literally thousands of over-stocked Medium and Smalls. Frustrating and stupid!! It is their own fault they are failing. They do not sell what customers want => POPULAR SIZES AT POPULAR PRICES!!
Sadly most adults (except maybe our very own Ian Ritter) cannot earn a living by lolling around attractively in unbuttoned shirts creating ambient sexual tension.
ANF made a big mistake in killing off the Ruehl concept. Right now there is no place for Abercrombie kids to shop when the enter the real world and get a job. Where is Abercrombie when these kids switch to J Crew?
This means ANF has a dangerous weak spot in case they ever lose “coolness” with the 16-22 set. And that ignores the weak ANF value proposition of “distressed” clothing at prices above retail for new items of equivalent original quality. Hence ARO/AEO causing serious pain.
Don’t worry Market Participant. It’s up to the top button today.