to be great. Although price will always be
a compelling feature, category dominance—
as we are seeing today in books, toys, office
supplies and home improvement will de-
fine transactions in the 21st century. Mer-
chants must be passionate about the "best
on the block" 52 weeks-a-year. Longevity
alone will not be a ticket to survival.
We continue to see fewer "players" on a
local and regional level. Rather, megacor-
porations with dozens of nameplates under
the corporate umbrella, will become the
norm. Further consolidation in every retail
segment will obliviate the complacency and
mediocrity we see today. Yet, entrepreneurs
who bring fresh concepts and highly edit-
ed merchandise groupings to the market-
place will continue to surface in an industry
that responds to newness, individuality and
intrusiveness.
Home and health will take center stage
over the wardrobe closet, especially as home
entertaining and gardening become "sig-
nature hobbies," rather than chores.
Finally, a note about the retail employ-
ee. Not so long ago, retailing was defined
as a bored clerk, watching a clock, with lit-
tle interest in helping, other than ringing
the sale. As the coming millennium looms
closer and employment options for liberal
arts college graduates shrink, the retail as-
sociate should view his or her job as a "ca-
reer opportunity."
America's once favorite pastime will def-
initely reinvent itself into the next cen-
tury, as retailers respond to this wake-up
call: There are too many stores chasing too
few shoppers. Change, as uncomfortable
and disturbing as it can be, is inevitable. ❑
I
Suddenly she realized she could be both
hopelessly romantic—and very, very organized.
.
.0 4. 1 . .
.
•
,
Call for a free consultation in your home.
3160 Haggerty Road
West Bloomfield
(810) 624-1234
Beyond 2000/Pedro Mendiguren
(continued from page 66)
Going forward, the retailers who survive
cannot just be good, but must strive to ex-
ceed the customers' expectations. The lives
of most consumers are so crowded with
work and family responsibilities that there
is little time for home repair. However, they
frequently want to do it themselves or buy
it themselves for the best value. For retail-
ers, finding the right balance of assortment,
price and service is crucial, with service the
key factor separating the best companies
from the competition.
The Home Depot and other leading re-
tailers combine the economies of scale of
(continued on page 114)
Downtown
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STYLE • WINTER 1995 • 1 1
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