More than 90 million square feet of retail space has been shuttered this year, and with the retailer Bon-Ton announcing this week it would close 200 of its stores, 2018 is on track to break last year's record for lost stores.
"This is just another example of one of those big box retailers who weren't nimble enough and really listening to the changing times," said Melissa Gonzalez, founder and CEO of Lionesque Group.
In the first four months of 2018, retail giants like Toys "R" Us, Sears, and Sam's Club have closed all or some of their locations. Moody's distressed-level watch list predicted that others, such as Guitar Center, J. Crew, and David's Bridal could be next.
There have already been more store closures in 2018 than there were in all of 2016. And as each brick-and-mortar shop shutters, it creates potential customers for online retailers like Amazon.
"They have data at their fingertips, they're really at the pulse of understanding what consumers want," said Gonzalez in an interview Friday on Cheddar. "They can serve up the items that you know we want, and present things online before we even know we want them, and they can target us in ways department stores aren't able to do."
For full interview, [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/2018-the-year-of-retail-closures).
One of the last major players in the DVD rental business has expressed interest in purchasing Netflix's mailing division, which is now set to be shut down. Bill Rouhana, CEO of Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment, which owns Redbox and its network of DVD kiosks, told The Hollywood Reporter that "I'd like to buy it," and that he's reached out multiple times about an acquisition.
Tesla shares fell sharply at the opening bell Thursday after the company felt the sting of numerous price cuts it made across its model line up this year in hopes of energizing sales.
Paul Miller, certified public accountant and founder of Miller & Company LLP, joined Cheddar News to discuss what electric vehicle owners should know about tax credits and the new rules to qualify for them. "I would definitely make a phone call to your accountant ... to your CPA to ensure that you're getting the credit and it's applicable," he said.
