Quote:
Originally Posted by fjtorres
Sometimes big sales promote the brand/product to people who wouldn't otherwise buy--sometimes they simply sell it to people who were already set to buy.
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First I decide what electronics to buy. Then I wait until the next time Thanksgiving week comes around
I think the fundamental problem is that, apart from luxury goods, stuff you try on, and perishables, it will be increasingly hard for bricks and mortar to compete with on-line. Not just because more people are comfortable on-line, but also because there's more possibility of automating and robotizing order fulfillment warehouses than stores. Competing on price and selection, B&N loses out to Amazon, and competing for the less price sensitive customers, they'll lose out to the stronger and more charming of the independent stores. I suppose it is possible to slowly shrink while remaining profitable. Maybe that is their best case scenario, except that I don't know if it's possible.