Interesting video (duration of 8:48) from PBS NewsHour:

"Is traditional retail dead? There have been more store closings this year than any since the Great Recession, with retailers filing for bankruptcy at a record pace. And yet online retailers like Amazon and Warby Parker are adding brick-and-mortar stores. What’s the secret to keeping afloat as shopping evolves? Economics correspondent Paul Solman reports."

Questions:

• What is having the most dramatic impact on the demise of "bricks and mortar" stores? 
• What are examples of what traditional retailers are doing to compete in this new environment? Name the retailer and specific actions they are taking. 
• Do you think these actions will have an impact on bringing consumers back to department stores?
• Are more retail purchases currently made online or in-person?
• Why do you think Amazon is opening book stores? Doesn't this run counter to their focus on online sales?
• Why do you think that Wal-Mart bought a company like Jet.com?
• Where do YOU do most of your shopping: online vs. offline? Why?

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For an engaging video on teens and shopping, check out this PBS NewsHour video: Why Are Teenagers So Brand Conscious?

About the Author

Tim Ranzetta

Tim's saving habits started at seven when a neighbor with a broken hip gave him a dog walking job. Her recovery, which took almost a year, resulted in Tim getting to know the bank tellers quite well (and accumulating a savings account balance of over $300!). His recent entrepreneurial adventures have included driving a shredding truck, analyzing executive compensation packages for Fortune 500 companies and helping families make better college financing decisions. After volunteering in 2010 to create and teach a personal finance program at Eastside College Prep in East Palo Alto, Tim saw firsthand the impact of an engaging and activity-based curriculum, which inspired him to start a new non-profit, Next Gen Personal Finance.

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