Do Department Stores Have a Future (Part 2)

After a robust kick-off discussion on the future of department stores last week, we return to go even deeper on how department stores went from being the original "must visit" everything stores to also-rans during the past two decades. We unpack how many iconic players have experienced "death by a thousand cuts", dispel the notion that the sector's woes are largely Amazon's fault and consider why stores closings are likely only making the situation worse. We also discuss which players have a chance for a turnaround, what it will take, and whether smaller, "off the mall" concepts (like Nordstrom Local) are the keys to making that happen.