Our store is EMPTY. And by empty, I mean the associates outnumber customers on an overwhelming basis.
Stores around the country, what is your foot traffic like? Are you seeing any at all? What are store sales like on a daily basis? Is there any life in any stores?
My store is in southern New England.
I was only stating what’s going on in my location and it’s consistent. So there’s really nothing to disagree with. Layoffs are happening in all locations big and small. We are having consistent traffic and have done phenomenal pushing the various presell events (home, jewlery.) There are some major changes happening that I’m aware of (some positive and much needed while some questionable). But allot of these changes account for some of the extreme cuts in certain areas and you will see that over the next quarter. Main thing that has been frustrating with these cuts is how individuals were picked. No rhyme or reason. Great associates let go while useless cellphone holding associates who hold up the registers stay.
I disagree with consistent for time of year. The lack of opportunities in the store is currently alarming. One can go for hours without seeing anyone walk in a department. Fridays in my building have been very similar to M-Th (little traffic). My mall sees tons of traffic, headed right for Starbucks. The line for a coffee on the weekend can stretch 30 deep...but they don't hold bags. Hell, the phone doesn't ring with questions about home sale. Most of that business, if the client gets the home sale book, just goes to .com.
Layoffs in all stores in CT...in departments that are supposed to be profit centers and growth opportunities.
Please, spare me the "it's going to be okay" line. Those who aren't looking are going to be caught napping. It is time to protect yourself.
In my opinion its a catch 22. I hear clients say they are not in stores because the service is non existent and they can't locate an employee to even check them out so they shop on line and return in store. In turn Macys sees this as sales dropping and associates not needed. 1 + 1 = layoffs.
Are you near a big city? Attached to a mall or a stand alone store?
Ct store-consistent traffic for time of year. Busy f-s, dead m-w, so/so on Thur. Doing pretty descent actually.