Recession Shopping

Submitted by Mimi on Thursday, 22 January 200912 Comments

As I was going through a shopping mall today picking out some clothes for an upcoming photo shoot that I will be styling, I realized that the majority of the stores were empty. Now I know that generally January and February are rather slow months for retail stores, but it wasn’t just slow, it was way worse than that.

I had a pleasure of talking to a few nice sale clerks’ at H&M and FCUK and they had confirmed my suspicions. People in Toronto have literally stopped shopping. I hope it’s only temporary due to post Christmas shopping syndrome, but we can’t deny reality either: “Financial crisis is affecting the lives of way too many people at the moment”.

Now I want to ask you- Have you noticed a shopping decline in the area where you live? How about your shopping habits? Have they been affected by the financial crisis?

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12 Comments »

sharon rose said:

Hi there-I still thrift if not every week, then every other week and try to snag good high street or designer pieces. I got a Zara silk long tunic for £3.75 last week. I don’t really shop on the high Street very much anymore.

- 22 January 2009 at 3:28 am

real style real people said:

Hmmm not around here at our main shopping outdoor area here and DEFINITELY not at Target (the place I live):) that’s too bad!

- 22 January 2009 at 11:57 am

melmo said:

hm i think here it’s the same problem. The city is almost totally quiet. That’s terrifying… I’m a person who loves noise
And I have no time to shop because of school but not becuase of the financial crisis….

no darling i don’t have a new cam. but I tried a new picture programme… perhaps it’s that!
Thanks for your nice comment
no we’ll celebrate at my best friend’s home she has a cute party room. That will be fun!

What photoshoot will you do??

kiss

- 22 January 2009 at 11:58 am

Katee (e-polishblog) said:

Ohhhh I love that you are styling a photo shoot – how fun! Good luck with everything. Hopefully you can show us the photos when everything is all said and done!

- 22 January 2009 at 1:17 pm

Katee (e-polishblog) said:

p.s. to actually answer your question, I have not been doing a lot of shopping lately. It’s not that I can’t, I just don’t feel the need. With all of the bad news it just does not ‘feel right’ to be out spending tons of cash on clothing and accessories, things I probably don’t ‘need’ right now.

- 22 January 2009 at 1:19 pm

Kelli said:

Love your blog and I wish you fun and fashion at the shoot!!
I was in Toronto between Christmas and New Year’s and people were definitely shopping then. However, back at home in SoCal, many of my clients are not shopping at all, preferring that I work with what they already own {repurpose, re-work, rejuvenate & reuse} OR they are asking me to shop at discount stores. I ran into Marshall’s the other day before an appointment and they had so many designer clothes on clearance, I couldn’t believe it! Theory, BCBG, Vince, Calvin Klein and the list goes on. I am also going to rummage around thrift stores for myself a little more often… I love the hunt!

- 22 January 2009 at 2:59 pm

The Seeker said:

Mimi!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh yes, owners stores say that they’re saleing less…
About me well I’ve always been careful, but I’ve been thinking more about what I would incorporate for Spring to mix with my old clothes and what I can recycle.

“…photo shoot that I will be styling…” You must tell us about everything and show pictures, gorgeous!!!!

xoxo

- 22 January 2009 at 5:35 pm

Melissa said:

Wow, this is so tragic :[
And thank you. Though I wasn’t necessarily going for sexy, I do agree that black blazer/tees are a very sophisticated combo!

- 22 January 2009 at 10:53 pm

Marian said:

honey how are you feeling? hope you are all better! yes my dear,ive noticed this in some stores there is less.Maybe they are getting less deliveries and stock come in with this crazy economy crises,some stores over here have had to close. It’s good that you asked about shopping habits as weirdly mine have not been affected. I have always been a more a buy due to instinct kinda of person,so I’m still shopping only when I see something that moves me ).
Darling thank you for your awesome comment on my follow your dreams post.I think it’s amazing that you found a career that you love,a lot of people are not even sure of what they want to do.I know i’ll be seeing your name one day soon in big lights.
my sweet have a great wknd ahead ok!
all my love,
Marian

- 23 January 2009 at 5:01 am

Leyla said:

Yes, I have definitely noticed emptier stores, which is scary, because it makes this whole recession more real! Personally, I have stopped shopping, mainly because I have lost my full time job, and I’m currently concentrating on developing my own business. Considering that I don’t have to think of what to wear to work every day, I don’t even feel the need to have a lot of new things. Although when I do have to go somewhere, I do feel a tab bit depressed about not having anything “new” to wear…

- 23 January 2009 at 1:00 pm

Cate said:

Hey my dear Mimi!
So, I guess I’m one reason why the shops are so empty– I haven’t been shopping in forever! Okay, it’s been a few weeks maybe, but it feels like forever. I got so many clothes for my birthday, so I’m not in need of clothes currently.. I also got money for my birthday, so I’m sure you’ll see me at the shops again soon!
That’s crazy. I would have never thought that the financial crisis would affect people so DIRECTLY. I probably sound ignorant, but if I hadn’t read it in the papers, I wouldn’t have recognized that there was a financial crisis.
But here, where I live, I haven’t really been noticing a shopping decline. Just yesterday a friend of mine was talking to me about whether I’d been to the sales at Zara. I wasn’t there. SO I do shop less lately, but that’s not affected so much by the financial crisis as by my birthday.

And thank you too for telling me about how you think the ankle boots look better with the jeans! I’ve worn them the way you suggested on Thursday!

A big kiss for you!
Cate

- 24 January 2009 at 9:22 am

Namine said:

I bought a dress at mariposa and now they’ve closed and I’ve got the wrong size totally depressing. Walking through the mall there was so many stores having clearance sales. Really makes you think

- 3 February 2009 at 12:26 am