Sex & Politics

Circuit City is liquidating and shoppers are taking advantage :

Shoppers eager to grab their share of discounted plasma TVs and Blu-ray DVDs lined up in droves today as Circuit City stores began liquidating their inventory. The bankrupt electronics retailer is shutting down its 567 U.S. stores and laying off 34,000 workers.

By late morning, the line outside the Circuit City in Hollywood was almost 100 people long. Carlos Reyes, 24, and girlfriend Diana Anzora, 22, of Los Angeles, lined up to buy video games and DVDs.

You’re going to see more of pictures like this as more stores die and cost conscious shoppers swoop in to  get the deals available. This pictures, the liquidation of Circuit City is truly a sign of the times. The question isn’t if there will be anymore liquidation sales, but when and who. Some of the stores that might not make it through 2009 include:

The Gap

Once a staple of American fashion with their fun ads (Leny Kravitiz and Sarah Jessica Parker come to mind), GAP Inc. which includes Gap Kids, Baby Gap, Banana Republic and Old Navy is hurting and hurting bad. With sales down as much as 14& in December closing Old Navy stores is a real possibility if they want to keep the rest of the brand alive.

Abercrombie and Fitch

Their sexy ads aren’t going to save them this time. For whatever reason Abercrombie and Fitch thought they didn’t have to offer steep cuts like every other retailer. That choice  led to a same-store sales decrease of 24%. Ouch. Their saying “Hell No” to discounts has led them to saying “Oh No” as they teeter on the brink.

Zales Jewelers

With 1,000 stores on the line and 15,000 employees Zales 22% drop in same-store sales is worrisome to say the least. They are going to have to perform some financial jujitsu to keep fro closing in 2009.