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Consumer Discretionary's Pain Is Health Care's Gain
Just based on trends, I had switched from XLY to XLV couple of weeks back. Actually IBB has been on a tear, but I can't stand the volatility. Note also articles like this one.
There is a Hointer "demo" store in Seattle and once you see the video for it, personally I can completely see it going that way because corporations are going to like a lot of aspects of it, but there are definitely concerns about a lot of the retail clothing experience becoming automated.
The article does not explain the headline. As Scott mentioned, retail is changing and has been for quite some time. How many of us window shop at bricks and mortar stores and then buy online? I can get my exact size, the color I want, and the exact model or style of the item I am looking for. The stores usually do not have it in stock.
Reply to @JohnChisum: I think this also extends to retail real estate, which I just find unappealing aside from maybe the higher end and specialized (Tangier Outlets); I think a lot of the "dime-a-dozen" strip malls and sort of C/D-grade malls that are seen throughout suburbia are going to be gone. The higher-end and/or more substantial retail RE companies (Simon, General Growth, Westfield) have the resources to try and evolve.
I do continue to like credit card co's due to continued increases in online (PC/mobile) shopping.
I do some window shopping and then buying online, but mostly I just buy online because I hate shopping and I know what I want. Why take the time to go somewhere where they MAY have what I want? Some stores are starting to ship from inventory at local stores in order to be able to ship closer to the end customer (Finish Line being one example.)
Comments
on a tear, but I can't stand the volatility. Note also articles like this one.
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/is-this-the-end-of-retail-as-we-know-it-2014-01-23
Westfield Malls have their own "lab" where they are working on how best to integrate tech into the shopping experience.
Costco to me is an example of a B & M retail business that continues to work and will continue to work.
Otherwise, I mean, look at this (from a former Amazon exec) - http://www.hointer.com/
There is a Hointer "demo" store in Seattle and once you see the video for it, personally I can completely see it going that way because corporations are going to like a lot of aspects of it, but there are definitely concerns about a lot of the retail clothing experience becoming automated.
I think this also extends to retail real estate, which I just find unappealing aside from maybe the higher end and specialized (Tangier Outlets); I think a lot of the "dime-a-dozen" strip malls and sort of C/D-grade malls that are seen throughout suburbia are going to be gone. The higher-end and/or more substantial retail RE companies (Simon, General Growth, Westfield) have the resources to try and evolve.
I do continue to like credit card co's due to continued increases in online (PC/mobile) shopping.
I do some window shopping and then buying online, but mostly I just buy online because I hate shopping and I know what I want. Why take the time to go somewhere where they MAY have what I want? Some stores are starting to ship from inventory at local stores in order to be able to ship closer to the end customer (Finish Line being one example.)
http://www.westfieldlabs.com/
http://www.wired.com/business/2012/10/mall-rats-to-become-guinea-pigs-at-new-retail-lab/
Hointer store and how it works: