MarketWatch reports that a new UBS analysis suggests that "100,000 stores will close by fiscal 2025, with apparel retailers the hardest hit at 24,000 closures.
"Most categories will be impacted, with consumer electronics expected to see 12,000 closures, and home furnishings and grocery retailers at 11,000 closures each.
"The most insulated names are the ones that have fared best during the coronavirus pandemic, including Walmart Inc. , Target Corp. and Costco Wholesale Corp. Home Depot Inc. and Lowe’s Cos., dollar stores like Dollar General Inc., and off-price retailers like Ross Stores Inc., and TJ Maxx parent TJX Cos. are also well-positioned, UBS said."
- KC's View:
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Even if this estimate/prognostication is only half right, that's still an enormous number of stores. What ought to be just as concerning, especially to independent retailers in every segment, is the implication that the bigger you are, the better off you are likely to be. That seems likely, because the big companies have the resources to weather the storms. But it isn't good news to people with smaller boats less able to stand up to high economic winds and crashing financial waves.
