The media’s obsession with retail closures

[StockpotSoup]

I’m guessing it generates a lot of click through, but has anyone else noticed the growth in doom-laden “More trauma for the high street” stories - stories that aren’t traumatic or doom-laden at all?

The headline will pop up saying “Shoppers stunned as beloved retailer with over 300 outlets brings down shutters” - then you click through to discover The Works has closed one branch in Uttoxeter, or three Boots stores are closing, mainly because two of them have done to the end of their leases and one is relocating.

I’m not denying that physical retail is in a bad way - probably in terminal decline. But am I the only one who finds it depressing that the media is somewhat salivating over the situation, when actually it’s nowhere near as bad as painted in most of the stories. There was even one the other day about Lidl “slamming the doors shut on their last remaining store in Camden”, as if this was the beginning of the end - with a tiny disclaimer at the end revealing they’re opening over 1000 new stores!

Isn’t this all a bit crackers?

You're not wrong OP.

Mind you, people irritate me when they lament the closing of physical shops on their High Street, but never consider that they do most of their shopping online 🙄

Yeah I think our hearts are meant to bleed at the plight of unsuccessful business owners, even though the business owners are a) just losing at a game they chose to play, and b) generally don't give any real shits about the workers who actually turn them a profit.

Such is the nature of bourgeois media.

Personally, I couldn't give a damn about large retailers closing their shops. I would be much happier if business rates and commercial rents were more affordable for small businesses to take on premises. I don't go into town to shop at Boots and Wilks. I want to go and visit a small guy selling feel-good stuff.

Who gives a fig about the Body Shop closing. Perhaps they need to be grateful to have had a business for so long. Nothing lasts forever and habits and trends change.
Did they think they'd go forever?

The reporting on The Body Shop is another example. Now to me, that IS a genuine national news story (unlike the Newton-Le-Willows branch of The Works closing). However, the reporting has already reached hyperbolic levels. “Full List of Stores at Risk!” screamed one headline. I clicked through and, sure enough, it was just a list of all their stores. Zero extra information or insight.

Its ridiculous and usually one particular rag that does it

"Major retail to close immediately" and its because they have three shops in one location and are closing one
Or its a shop that's only in the North but its painted like its a countrywide chain

Its essentially clickbait and crap journalism

It's a fact that the retail industry is struggling massively but those headlines piss me off.
You get people like my mother in law who interprets it as all the branches closing down so doesn't go to town for 2 months because her favourite shop "has closed" - except it didn't.
But now it is because my mother in law × 100s of other mils stopped shopping there and it's now not making any money 🙄😂

Lazy sensationalist ‘journalism’ for the most part.

I agree but retail and actual shops are in dire straights in my local town unit renting prices through the roof maybe only 3 shops worth going in, in the main town and I must admit I do get saddened to see articles in my local paper as I’m a firm believer in internet shopping is fine and all but you can’t beat a proper day out of lunch and retail therapy!

When I was a teen I’d be down out local town on weekends open until closing with my friends because there was that much variety!!! Now nothing I can fly round in 2.5 hours at a absolute push!

People losing their jobs is something I'd care about.

Yes

Job losses ARE the doom and gloom

No more Saturday or weekend jobs for young people either

Well anyone who finds their moisturisers are the only ones in that price range that work for them. I'll be stick pilling the hemp hand cream. Their midnight jasmine suited me now I'm post menopause. Those losing their jobs will also care.