Some stores are rising up out of the retail apocalypse. The recent spate of bankruptcies and store closures may have just culled competitors that weren’t quick enough to adapt to young consumers’ demands, because some retailers are seeing revenues rise once more. Target, Nordstrom, and Walmart have all reported expectation-beating sales growth in the past quarter. Why? “[S]uccessful stores are now a cross between a fast-food drive-through and a hotel concierge,” with services like curbside pickup for mobile orders, drop boxes for returns, and “personal shoppers.” (NYT)
