Thread regarding Sears layoffs

From Forbes

Since 1995, the number of shopping centers in the U.S. has grown by more than 23% and GLA (total gross leasable area) by almost 30%, while the population has grown by less than 14%. Currently there is close to 25 square feet of retail space per capita (roughly 50 square feet, if small shopping centers and independent retailers are added). In contrast, Europe has about 2.5 square feet per capita.

That’s a problem... and yes the economy has recovered very unevenly.... those who spend most of their income (working class) have not seen their real wages go down over the past few years. The government statistics give you a broad number that doesn’t reflect reality.

"Drop the smartphone, cable, internet, 2 cars, dining out, atvs, 52" TVs, air conditioning etc, etc, etc and spend money like like a 1950's household."

You mean more like the 1930s or 1940s. In the 1950s people were spending like crazy. The good times were rolling, credit was available. People were buying single family homes, (think Levittown) appliances, cars, tvs, etc the burbs were forming. The baby boom was happening and spending was flowing.

Again, the only reason we are not in a recession is due to the Fed. Our debt level alone would put us in a recession.

There are too many problems that really cannot be fixed until a total wash out occurs. Where I do agree is that people do need an education with marketable skills. But again, how is it that the government was allowing loans for people to major in poetry? The whole system stinks. And yes, a minimum wage worker doesn't need to buy a hummer. But when people reign in their spending that will cause a cascade of other problems, ie a recession or worse. We have built a house of cards and the Fed has manipulated rates and printed money and bought bad loans and has done every thing under the sun to put off payment date. Things will implode at some point and it is going to be bad.

Another point, There are only so many jobs out there even for the degreed. Many millennials with degrees in business, computers etc are waiting tables. You are right, employers will not take care of their needs the way the boomers have had their needs taken care of by businesses and our good Ole Uncle Sam. That teet will be s---ed dry by the baby boomers and there won't be anything left for the next generation. When peole do cut back and stop spending that may be the beginning. We are in new territory and no one knows how long the Fed will be able to keep things going before one event causes the whole damn thing to blow.

Drop the smartphone, cable, internet, 2 cars, dining out, atvs, 52" TVs, air conditioning etc, etc, etc and spend money like like a 1950's household.

And then the recession will surely begin.

Many lower income individuals think we are in a recession because most retail and restaurant work is no longer a viable career. You need a real college education (and that doesn't mean history, english, or women's studies degree) to get a solid job. Further, your employer isn't going to take care of your every need (aka healthcare) and you won't keep that job 25-30 years and retire with a fat pension. Even further, don't like what it costs to "live" these days? Drop the smartphone, cable, internet, 2 cars, dining out, atvs, 52" TVs, air conditioning etc, etc, etc and spend money like like a 1950's household.

We are not in a recession. IncreSe in the money supply has helped, but no wage growth is hurting. Wages are starting to rise tho.

It's a false economy. The only reason we are not in a recession is due to the money being printed and pumped into the economy. How long can this last? Who knows?

For those of you who think we're in a recession: nothing could be further from the truth. Economy is growing at the fastest rate in decades. You are mistaking your experience for what is truly happening to the whole. You are not representative, and your anecdotal stories are just that, anecdotes. Are people suffering? of course. That's always true. Are there inequities and are they getting worse? yes. But we are absolutely, positively not in a recession.

We have too many retailers truthfully. That’s why Europe is not having this problem, or is Mexico or South America etc.

"We are not in a recession. The economy is heating up very fast which is why interest rates will rise"

ROFL!!!

Now watch as reality shows this clown to be the fool he is.

Oversupply and saturation.

I just need my phone and I am good.

there is a change in peoples spending habits. they buy more entertainment and less clothing.

We are not in a recession. The economy is heating up very fast which is why interest rates will rise. Inflation will increase. The unemployment rate is near historoc lows. The retailers are killing themselves thru competition. all competing for your money. Amazon is not profiting off retail sales either. Their cloud computing business is driving them