Retail consultant predicts 200,000 stores to shut down in the next 4 months

[ScottThuy 140]

I spoke to a few farmers on the weekend. The problem with food prices that I have observed, especially regarding healthy food, is that few if any farmers grow it here. Everyone seems to grow the run of the mill corn, soy beans, cotton etc. Whereas, the majority of farms surrounding cities in AUS grow vegetables and various other produce. For example, why the heck are my salads coming from CA?

But you know what, America made its bed so now it has to lie in it. Maybe you guys shouldn't have been so worried about what the steelers are doing this season or what is happening on E!. Maybe people should have paid attention to the true price of walmarts cheap prices. The chickens have certainly come home to roost.

Its not doom and gloom but everyone has to get their ###### together before you end up a 2nd world country 'again'. Just today I saw people, who are most likely illegals, landscaping the neighborhood. Jobs that could be going to Americans that are living in their car as we speak. Californian's are having their services cut while not a single word has been said, quantified, about the money being spent on service towards illegals. I had a lib friend from Aus, who's a teacher, just the other day jokingly ask whether we are still funding ESOL, while American schools and teachers are facing cuts.

Someone posted the other day about the CHIP system... in FLA its called healthy kids.. on the application they say something to the effect of this information will not be given to USCIS... #######? here illegally?.. no problem fill out the form get free health care and we wont tell anyone.... I was so pissed when there were huge parades to protest the idea that illegal immigrants should be deported or held accountable for being here illegaly... oops... well I guess in many ways the illegals here have a direct affect on the jobs available to legal citizens... so it aint so OT

[Heracles 417]

I thought you were in DC? Last I checked hmmmm DC didnt have farmland.

Virginia bro. You couldn't pay me to live in DC with those Marion Barry loving Douche bags.

Yeah, well last I saw you were wantin to kik someone a$$ in DC! Your nuttin but an empty suit!

Unlike you tough yank with mi guuuuun types pleeease. Real 'tough guys' We laugh at you pussies back home.

Anyway, what trade do you do? I'll bet you I can do it better than you.

Edited August 28, 2009 by haza

[Pinocchio Liberal 268]

I thought you were in DC? Last I checked hmmmm DC didnt have farmland.

Virginia bro. You couldn't pay me to live in DC with those Marion Barry loving Douche bags.

Yeah, well last I saw you were wantin to kik someone a$$ in DC! Your nuttin but an empty suit!

Unlike you tough yank with mi guuuuun types pleeease. Real 'tough guys' We laugh at you pussies back home. In fact, a friend of mine served time for cracking the scull of a big mouth redneck yank while in Europe.

Anyway, what trade you do, I'll bet you I can do it better than you.

Oh MY! You might check your panties for a leak.

[natty bumppo 297]

I thought you were in DC? Last I checked hmmmm DC didnt have farmland.

Virginia bro. You couldn't pay me to live in DC with those Marion Barry loving Douche bags.

Yeah, well last I saw you were wantin to kik someone a$ in DC! Your nuttin but an empty suit!

Unlike you tough yank with mi guuuuun types pleeease. Real 'tough guys' We laugh at you pussies back home. In fact, a friend of mine served time for cracking the scull of a big mouth redneck yank while in Europe.

Anyway, what trade you do, I'll bet you I can do it better than you.

Oh MY! You might check your panties for a leak.

marc ... this guy is probably a regular at Clark Bros.

[Heracles 417]

Oh MY! You might check your panties for a leak.

You must have confused me for someone here who plays the Marc level jokes with you.

Being that I can buy and sell 9 million Marcs, I don't have time for games with people on your level.

marc ... this guy is probably a regular at Clark Bros.

Hey can I buy a wife from the same site too?

[Anh map 2,098]

It is tough on the little guy...I am one. Business has slowed in the past year for sure but that is not all that has our back against the wall. Before all this economic turmoil began we were already feeling the pinch. Prices on everything had risen due to the $4.00+ gasoline, all my purchases had seen an increase in the neighborhood of 20-30%. Then Uncle Sam raised the minimum wage (THANKS TED) so my 16-19 year old school kids could make ends meet. Along with the minimum wage increase comes increased medicare and social security matching funds from my business on top of the additional workmens comp insurance payment because its all figured off payroll. So a 30% increase in food and packaging cost, 40-45% increase in payroll costs and 10-15% increase in insurance costs is really hurting.

I am starting to wonder if after 9 years I should be doing something else now, I am sure not many people would adjust well to a large pizza that 2 years ago was $15.00 increasing to $21.00 just so I can stay here.

Anyway enough of the ranting...

I'm feeling the same pinch too. Can only bring costs so low, and can't even think about pushing up prices.

[natty bumppo 297]

marc ... this guy is probably a regular at Clark Bros.

Hey can I buy a wife from the same site too?

buy a wife there?

you sure don't know much about the area do you?

[Heracles 417]

buy a wife there?

you sure don't know much about the area do you?

It's good you missed the point. Saved me the suspension.

Being Aussie we don't need Guns or F350s to feel tough.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

I thought you were in DC? Last I checked hmmmm DC didnt have farmland.

Virginia bro. You couldn't pay me to live in DC with those Marion Barry loving Douche bags.

Yeah, well last I saw you were wantin to kik someone a$$ in DC! Your nuttin but an empty suit!

Unlike you tough yank with mi guuuuun types pleeease. Real 'tough guys' We laugh at you pussies back home.

Anyway, what trade do you do? I'll bet you I can do it better than you.

Still playing e-thug, tough guy. Go back home where you belong.

[Ban Hammer 14,569]

buy a wife there?

you sure don't know much about the area do you?

It's good you missed the point. Saved me the suspension.

Being Aussie we don't need Guns or F350s to feel tough.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

haza manages to piss off both sides, this is hilarious.

[natty bumppo 297]

haza manages to piss off both sides, this is hilarious.

actually ... no bait is required for this one

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Back on topic, a little local news:

Store vacancies along Northern and Central New Jersey's highways rose 57 percent over the last year.

...

The vacancy rate rose from 5.21 percent in July 2008 to 8.18 percent this July, said The Goldstein Group.

...

Some retailers have moved into spaces deserted by companies that went bankrupt last year.

...

Companies such as HomeGoods, Ashley Furniture, PC Richards and Sixth Avenue Electronics have taken over spaces that previously belonged to retailers such as Circuit City, Linens 'N Things and Levitz Furniture.

http://www.nj.com/business/index.ssf/2009/..._above_8_p.html

[Joseph & Ana 0]

Where i live used to be considered "up-scale". Now, just in the past year there are many many vacant buildings and more liquidations coming. Soon, this whole state will look like Detroit.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Where i live used to be considered "up-scale". Now, just in the past year there are many many vacant buildings and more liquidations coming. Soon, this whole state will look like Detroit.

Where are you?