The Great American Time Crunch means that consumers today are less inclined to look at shopping as a form of recreation. Over the same period, the average number of stores visited during a trip to the mall has also dropped 32 percent. Not every retailer is scrounging for customers. Similarly, Sears is widely credited with pulling off a successful turnaround, and chains such as the Gap have done well by forging a clear identity. Specialty stores ranging from Home Depot to Staples are strong.
Malls have to stand for something.
The same can be said for stores that lack a sharp identity. Take Venture Stores, based in O'Fallon, Mo., a chain of 113 discount department stores that operate in eight Midwestern states and Texas. In its early days, the chain had a unique niche in its region, selling all sorts of discounted items from apparel to automotive supplies to hardware. But as other well-established discount retailers moved in, Venture has lost its way. In the first quarter, same-store sales fell 11 percent over last year's first quarter.