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Not to detract from this, but just curious how many retail jobs have disappeared in that same amount of time? My google-fu is unable to turn up any stats for 20

by hhw 10y ago

Not to detract from this, but just curious how many retail jobs have disappeared in that same amount of time? My google-fu is unable to turn up any stats for 2016 yet. I would think with the improved efficiencies, fewer people would be needed for shipping logistics and software development than the retail jobs being replaced.

adameast9000 10y ago
According to todays job report, retail employment is still growing: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/us-adds-227000-new-jobs-in-january-2017-02-03 http://www.marketwatch.com/story/us-adds-227000-new-jobs-in-... EDIT: this growth is due in part to seasonal hires
at-fates-hands 10y ago
You could also look at how many businesses have gone under the last year or so and took a bunch of jobs with them: Sports Authority - 460 stores Kmart/Sears - 78 stores Aeropostale - 154 stores Walmart - 269 stores Where I live, a lot of these are already gone and the retail space has been vacant since the summer. Same thing in a lot of the malls I used to frequent. Hell, the Mall Of America's 4th floor was vacant for decades after they closed down all the bars. The sad thing is, nobody is filling the vacuum when all these stores close. They just sit vacant for years. And 2017 doesn't look to change that trend: A giant wave of store closures is about to hit the US: http://www.businessinsider.com/stores-closing-macys-kohls-walmart-sears-2016-12 http://www.businessinsider.com/stores-closing-macys-kohls-wa...
- matwood 10y ago
  Part of that is Amazon (online shopping in general), part is the whole buy local, and part is fleeing from traditional malls. People either want really cheap (online) or boutique type shops in nice outdoor shopping areas. I've seen the same thing happening with chain restaurants for years.
- antisthenes 10y ago
  Retail is inefficient. To make a retail purchase, you have to drive to the store and back, while a delivery driver can pick an optimal route and make multiple local deliveries with their vehicle before returning to the warehouse. To give a more concrete example, to purchase a souvenir, some personal hygiene products, some computer hardware and some spices, I'd have to make 4 stops, spend at least 2 hours and $6-8 worth of gas. None of these things are day2day critical, like food, or essential to physically inspect before purchase (like home improvement goods)
- grigjd3 10y ago
  There was a time when people were upset that Walmart and whatnot were forcing small local stores to close.

by hhw 10y ago

adameast9000 10y ago

According to todays job report, retail employment is still growing: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/us-adds-227000-new-jobs-in-january-2017-02-03 http://www.marketwatch.com/story/us-adds-227000-new-jobs-in-... EDIT: this growth is due in part to seasonal hires

at-fates-hands 10y ago

You could also look at how many businesses have gone under the last year or so and took a bunch of jobs with them: Sports Authority - 460 stores Kmart/Sears - 78 stores Aeropostale - 154 stores Walmart - 269 stores Where I live, a lot of these are already gone and the retail space has been vacant since the summer. Same thing in a lot of the malls I used to frequent. Hell, the Mall Of America's 4th floor was vacant for decades after they closed down all the bars. The sad thing is, nobody is filling the vacuum when all these stores close. They just sit vacant for years. And 2017 doesn't look to change that trend: A giant wave of store closures is about to hit the US: http://www.businessinsider.com/stores-closing-macys-kohls-walmart-sears-2016-12 http://www.businessinsider.com/stores-closing-macys-kohls-wa...

matwood 10y ago
Part of that is Amazon (online shopping in general), part is the whole buy local, and part is fleeing from traditional malls. People either want really cheap (online) or boutique type shops in nice outdoor shopping areas. I've seen the same thing happening with chain restaurants for years.
antisthenes 10y ago
Retail is inefficient. To make a retail purchase, you have to drive to the store and back, while a delivery driver can pick an optimal route and make multiple local deliveries with their vehicle before returning to the warehouse. To give a more concrete example, to purchase a souvenir, some personal hygiene products, some computer hardware and some spices, I'd have to make 4 stops, spend at least 2 hours and $6-8 worth of gas. None of these things are day2day critical, like food, or essential to physically inspect before purchase (like home improvement goods)
grigjd3 10y ago
There was a time when people were upset that Walmart and whatnot were forcing small local stores to close.