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There’s still hope for local traditional retail locations despite store closings
More people have turned to online sales for their shopping needs, but brick-and-mortar stores will remain an important part of retail.
• Two major store closures: Kohl’s and Macy’s announced last week they are closing underperforming stores at nearly 100 locations nationally.
• Stubborn challenges: Traditional department stores in general are under pressure due to the growth of the Internet and e-commerce. Many of the brands sold in traditional brick-and-mortar stores are available online.
• Retail model burdens: Traditional brick-and-mortar stores also face high rent, high inventory, high labor, and in some cases, high debt.
• On the other hand: U.S. brick-and-mortar retail sales in 2023 totaled $7.051 trillion, up 2.13% year-over-year. About 85% of all U.S. retail sales dollars came from brick-and-mortar stores.
• What they are saying: “We need brick-and-mortar stores. We can’t just order everything online. I do order online, but I also want to go to brick-and-mortar stores so I can see, feel, touch things, and so people can have jobs, so it’s a concern,” said Peter Courlas, a patron at the Fairfield Commons mall.
• The Greene Town Center: Both Taste of Belgium and LA Fitness (formerly Esporta) announced closures, but retail outlets Anthropologie is opening this week, and Arhaus is opening later this spring.
A 47-year love affair coming to an end at UD
Longtime Flyers sports information director Doug Hauschild is set to retire at the end of the school year.
• Doug Hauschild: He’s now worked with UD sports information for 47 years and run the department for 42. He was inducted into the College Sports Information Directors of America Hall of Fame in 2020.
• How it started: In the mid-1970s, Hauschild was a University of Dayton student out of Miamisburg High School. He talked his way onto the Flyers’ basketball stat crew.
• Finding love: As a student helper in the sports information department, he met Patty Snyder, a student from Beavercreek, who was working in the athletic office. The couple has been married 41 years.
• NCAA Tournament: He’s worked 120 NCAA Tournament games over the years and helped the hosting of 100 of them at UD Arena.
• Recognition: Saturday, he’ll be honored during the Flyers’ game with Loyola. He’ll be called onto the UD Arena court during a timeout.
• Legacy: Some 50 students who worked for Hauschild in UD sports information over the years later went into the business.
What to know today
• One big takeaway: A Dayton man was indicted on federal charges for reportedly stealing thousands of dollars in nearly a dozen armed robberies in the Dayton and Springfield area last month.
• Tip of the day: These are the three top streaming platforms and how they work.
• Person to know today: Chad Lindsey. He joined the Beavercreek Police Department in August 2002 and now will be stepping into a new role as the city’s chief of police.
• Big move of the day: Jefferson Twp. Schools have completed work on a new space for agriculture education, which district officials hope will help improve the tiny Montgomery County district’s academic performance.
• Dayton eats: Get The Pho Out officially opened its doors in Kettering on Sunday, offering a mix of Chinese, Thai and Vietnamese cuisine.
• Quote of the day: “Hopefully everyone is cool with me skipping the inauguration so I can go to the national title game” - Vice president-elect and Ohio State fan JD Vance joked in social media that he wanted the date and time of the game to be changed.
• Dayton history: Find out how the Kettering cold case of Shannon Anderson unfolded over 20 years ago.
• Thing to do: 10 things to do in Dayton this weekend.
• Photo of the day: The Buckeye Wedding Expo and Bridal Show happened at the Dayton Arcade in downtown Dayton this past weekend. Area event and wedding planners were on hand to help attendees choose photography & video services, dresses, food & drinks, stationery, flowers, entertainment, and more. Here are some of the highlights.
