What: The American department store is facing decline, contrasting with the thriving nature of European counterparts.

Why it is important: This decline marks a significant shift in retail culture and business models, highlighting the need for American department stores to adapt. The comparison with Europe suggests that strategies around product selection and sales frequency could be key areas for revitalization, potentially saving this traditional retail format from further endangerment.

The op-ed by Megan McArdle draws attention to the endangered status of American department stores, a sentiment echoed by personal reflections on the vibrant department store scene in Europe. The writer reminisces about the past prominence of department stores in the Washington area and notes the stark contrast in foot traffic and product selection between American and European stores today. European department stores, with their broader product ranges and less frequent sales, seem to maintain a vitality that their American counterparts have lost. This observation raises questions about the business strategies of American department stores, particularly their reliance on constant sales, and suggests a need for a reevaluation of how these stores engage with consumers and manage their product offerings. The comparison implies that adopting aspects of the European model could help rejuvenate the American department store sector.

Save an endangered species: The American department store