Department stores

[River Don]

I'm a bit surprised to learn today that the Leeds House of Fraser is closing down in a fortnight. Leeds must be the most succesful shopping centre in Yorkshire, so for it not to be able to support a House of Fraser is quite a thing.

Donny long since lost its anchor stores, I don't think there is one left in Sheffield. Leeds still has John Lewis and Harvey Nicks... I wonder how much longer?

[drfchound]

High street shopping has been decreasing for years RD.
I can’t remember when I last went into Donny to go to the shops.
Out of town retail parks are so much more convenient and relaxing (if shopping can be relaxing!) and with free parking too.

[River Don]

I agree Hound but I also think we are seeing a hollowing out of the middle classes. People can't afford brands like Ralph Lauren or Fred Perry so much. George at Asda is doing fine. Gucci and Pradaaa at Harvey Nicks seem to be doing alright too.

[drfchound]

You know what RD, I can’t say that I ever notice what brand of clothing people wear.

[River Don]

You know what RD, I can’t say that I ever notice what brand of clothing people wear.

Well it's just indicative, certain brands target certain markets. That's why brands exist.. Actually the supermarkets are seeing a big shift to own brands as well.

[selby]

Anyone who can relax in any shop has not taken the wife or girlfriend out with him.

[Donnywolf]

Markets have gone too . So Donny loses Dept Stores and their Markets

So eaten away at both ends  - ironic given that the food part of the Markets - Meat , Fish Eggs etc seem to be the only ones thriving or is that surviving

Use 'em or lose them be that Debenhams or Market Stalls

[tommy toes]

Have you been to the Collonades recently?
Out of 20 units, only 4 are occupied, a cafe, a clothes repair shop, the credit union and Home Bargains. Even the Charity shops have closed.
It's a depressing place.

[big fat yorkshire pudding]

Rents in town and city centres are unaffordable, the business models don't make sense in terms of remaining open, if you can get out of the lease you can and if you own it, it's worth more to sell it.

It's a shame I think but it's the changing way people buy things.  Even clothes stores people use often as showrooms then go home and buy online usually at a discount or something like that.

[Donnywolf]

Yes .... the whole way of buying almost everything has changed and we as a population / consumers have mostly brought that about

Thinking of Cars. What a change where you can buy or sell online and people will probably be surprised if Car Showrooms disappear

The other surprise is the amount of food delivery companies. I am intrigued at seeing drivers coming out of Greggs to name but one and I presume someone has ordered a Bacon sandwich and a Coffee for delivery ?

At least the Cafe / Chinese / Pizza shops remain open in that scenario though

Times they are a changing

[SydneyRover]

Plenty of people bought from catalogues in the 50-60s, John England was one.

[Donnywolf]

Yes .... I did myself buy stuff from Catalogues as did lots of people

However at the risk of generalizing I seem to think a lot of them were taking advantage of paying on HP

The shops in the City of Donny then a Town of course we're thriving including many Dept Stores like Owen & Owen and many more.

[SydneyRover]

The internet can be a fabulous thing when used correctly .............

scroll down for .............

''Memories from the Owen Owen store in Doncaster''

https://owenowentrust.org.uk/memories/

[Colemans Left Hook]

the future is "Owing and Owing"

if John Keats was still around

 "Ode to a Nightingale"

would be replaced by

"Ode to a Credit Card"