Passages

Monday, June 10, 2024

Finally, summer is here in Central Oregon. Outdoors it’s bright, warm, and inviting. I have today off, and I will mostly be outside after an early medical appointment.

The clothing brand Free People is about to open what might be its only store beyond Portland, in Bend’s Old Mill District. That will impact the department store where I work, as the hugely popular FP fashion items are a significant draw, especially among younger shoppers.

The retail sales business, in general, is in chaos. Retailers are scrambling to employ AI and online technologies to become or remain adequately competitive. Many are also leaving their large brick-and-mortar stores and using smaller facilities. Many ex-super shopping brands have hit the boards, with J.C. Penney and Sears as primary examples. Real estate promoters after physical stores are teaming with retail promoters after saleable inventories.

We’re all touched by this chaos. As a sales clerk, customers often discuss retail situations with me. While most make purchases online, they like that entering an actual store and looking around, comparing items visually, and trying on clothing is possible.

As a sales clerk, however, I know that much depends on us, the store workers. We are responsible for meeting the business’s goals by greeting, selling, and maintaining customers’ interest in shopping with us. My informal experience teaches that older shoppers are more responsive to salespeople than the younger ones, who lack a background with J.C. Penney, Sears, etc.

This small city’s massive influx of retirees might be critical for keeping the larger department stores open. They bring assets, familiarity, and a liking for brick-and-mortar stores. That’s a guess; otherwise, like everybody else, I’m just an observer who finds the possibilities confusing.

Dear Friends: The design passage from Chanel to Free People reflects social changes. Diana