The Retail Apocalypse That Isn’t

Dollar General is among the chains that will be boosting its brick-and-mortar store count this year.

NASHVILLE—An oft-told story making the rounds these days is that brick-and-mortar stores are in partial if not total eclipse. However, IHL Group says otherwise, reporting that US retailers will open 4,080 more stores in 2017 than they are closing and plan to open over 5,500 more in 2018. The Nashville-based research and advisory firm’s new report on the subject, “Debunking the Retail Apocalypse,” is available by clicking here.

“The negative narrative that has been out there about the death of retail is patently false,” says Greg Buzek, president of IHL Group. “The so-called ‘retail apocalypse’ makes for a great headline, but it’s simply not true. Over 4,000 more stores are opening than closing among big chains, and when smaller retailers are included, the net gain is well over 10,000 new stores. As well, through the first seven months of the year, retail sales are up $121.6 billion, an amount roughly equivalent to the total annual retail sales of The Netherlands.”