Us consumers have been tapped out. I am so sick and tired of companies trying to get me to buy the next top of the line computer when my 5 year old laptop has more speed and memory than the newer ones do. I also don't want more junk kitchen gadgets to fill my kitchen cabinets. I have a cell phone that is just fine thank you, don't need a new one every six months.
What I do buy is food, gas to get to work, insurance (car, home and health) and pay a mortgage. Those things alone take a large chunk of my income.
If the stores could figure out how to get me some more disposable money, I might actually buy something I need. Until then, they will be shutting more stores. Is the answer Amazon? Hell no. I waited almost 2 weeks for my last purchase over 2 months ago and vowed not to buy online. They did not ship the item until 8 days after I purchased it.