Location, Location, Location

I have no idea why I'm picking this store, but Lowe's on Battleground at Pisgah Church annoys me to no end.

View Larger Map

Google map image of 3001 Battleground Ave.

There are pros and cons of this particular location.

Pros:

• Very visible and convenient location
• More traffic passing by than Home Depot on same side of Greensboro.
• Not a lot of competition near-by.
• Pedestrian traffic could be possible.
• Neighborhoods behind location could mean foot traffic because of convenience.

Cons:

• Only one way in and one way out. The layout of the parking lot and the entrance/exit at stop light make it not a quick way to exit.
• Home Depot may be a bit out of the way, but it has much more parking than Lowe's.
• Because the parking lot is so small, even when they are only semi-busy, it looks extremely crowded and could deter customers from stopping.
• Even though pedestrian traffic could be possible, the traffic on Battleground makes it almost impossible.

I think the location is convenient, but it could be better if there was another way in and out of the parking lot and more parking space in the lot.

Failing retailer

Many retailers are lining up to become the next victim of the crappy economy. Some retailers may be feeling the effects, but they are surviving. A lot of retailers are not so lucky. The stores on the failing list really should not be a surprise. Customers are scarce, inventory is thin, and customer service is either really bad or non-existent.

I cannot remember the last time I actually went into a Goody's store. I do not remember ever shopping in one where there were a lot of customers. I have only heard one or two people say they actually shop there and I'm always asking if that store is still open. Not a good sign at all!

According to an article in New York Post on January 5 of 2009, the prediction over the Christmas holiday was that Goody's would soon be affected by the failing economy. Goody’s was owned by Prentice Capital Management that filed for Chapter 11 a few months earlier (http://www.nypost.com/seven/01052009/business/store_warnings_147210.htm).

According to an article troymessenger.com, Goody's noted in their bankruptcy protection request that there were numerous, but isolated stores that needed to be closed due to lower sales. They also stated that there was "strain on merchandise flow" meaning that obviously the inventory turnover was not nearly enough to save the company (http://www.troymessenger.com/news/2009/jan/07/goodys-going-out-business/).

Obviously the crappy quality of the clothing at Goody's, the empty stores, and higher numbers of low performing stores than stores with sales all contributed to the downfall of Goody's, yet another victim of what is turning into game of win or lose in retail.