Shoes flying, heaps of clothes being scattered on the floor, and women running right and left ready to kill for a discounted pair of stellar heels. You go to find someone working, but everyone who is of assistance is already helping someone else. This is the crime scene before you even make it to the checkout line in an attempt to leave the catastrophe. Though this may be a bit of an exaggeration, it is undoubtedly obvious that women including those on Sweet Briar’s campus are ready to jump at any sign of an awesome deal. No matter which clothing store, it seems every woman across town knows about the deals and steals being offered, especially the typical struggling college student. For many here on campus, these deals can be found at stores in both the Lynchburg mall and at the local J. Crew outlet where sales are held annually and sometimes monthly. This erratic placement of both women and clothing may have been the erratic shopping scene as past seasons looks were released, but recently as our economy takes a toll on individuals around the country it seems that getting a fitting room may not be as hard as months previous.
I have always been a severe shopper, purchasing items in a color that floods my closet or the expensive pair of designer jeans that look like any ordinary pair of blue jeans, which is ironic because I am not someone that gets handed money right and left or given a monthly allowance just for being someone’s daughter. I work in order to save money and be able to pay for things such as books at the beginning of each school year and continue to work throughout the year while at school. However, if I told you that I actually use all of my money for these reasons I would be lying. I am the first to admit that the second I receive a paycheck it is off to the mall to buy a shirt or pair of jeans that I have been eyeing for the past month. But unfortunately for the shopaholics out there such as myself, the recent recession has put trips to the mall on hold and as for me, I try not to look in the windows of cute stores because of the temptation to purchase items at a later time.
In the recent months, malls and stores have been closed as a decline in sales hit both managers and owners of local and national stores across the country. Specifically, the recession has hit close to home for many on Sweet Briar Colloege’s campus and on campuses in the surr
ounding area of Lynchburg and Lexington. This means fewer trips to Wal-Mart not to mention River Ridge mall where careless spending is performed by almost all Sweet Briar women in an attempt to buy a new outfit for an upcoming weekend.
When asked how her spending habits have changed Sophomore Stewart Hulfish states, “I love to shop and not having money to spend on unnecessary items is almost painful, especially when I go online and see that my favorite stores have so many cute new clothes.” For many of the campus’s students, the state of the nation’s economy has acted as a wakeup call to the responsibilities that come with spending. Instead of purchasing something that will be worn once for what seems to be a “very important weekend” at Hampden -Sydney or some other campus function, girls here at Sweet Briar have cut back on spending altogether.
Like the typical college student across the nation, extra money to spend irresponsibly and on a whim does not come by very often, but in such times when many parents are facing financial problems it becomes increasingly higher. Many students can no longer can many individuals sit around and make a phone call home to get more money put into the bank account. Many of us have seen that bank statement at least once that doesn’t leave those paying for our expenses (parents) very happy, but with the economy in a downturn it seems that asking for more and more money is no longer an option for some. Instead of having the alternative to phone home for back up when spending and shopping for new outfits is not handled responsibly, students are seeing that work on their part may need to take place. My sister and senior here at Sweet Briar Meghan Kaminski says, “I had to work extra hours here at school this year since I was spending on shopping instead of saving. Plus, my parents are not willing to freely give me money as tuition and other things have increased.” College is the time to take on responsibilities such as working a side job whether on campus or off while studying and preparing for a future job and income and the recent recession has been a wakeup call to many.
Not only is the current recession affecting those consumers who are wanting to purchase new clothes, but it has also been effecting stores attempting to sell the clothes, and in the end not being as successful as anticipated. With the summer months fast approaching, and the hot summer temperatures starting to break upon us stores at both the Lynchburg mall and boutiques located in the area have released their new seasons looks. Much like the preparation for the swim seasons previous, Sweet Briar women have been anticipating the fresh new looks and trends, but are not spending as much on them this time around
Not only are students shopping habits being effected by the fall of the economy, but the stores in which these students shop are as well. With more and more individuals loosing money rather than making money, the availability to spend is not what it used to be for some. In fact, the River Ridge mall in nearby Lynchburg recently closed its Gap clothing store in January due to a loss in profits along with a few other stores that were not making effective profits. According to Bryan Gentry’s article which can be found in the Lynchburg News and Advance released in January of this year, “The clothing store will be the latest of several stores to close at River Ridge: Whitehall Jewelers and B. Moss shuttered in December because their national chains went bankrupt, and the McDonald's at the food court closed just after Christmas.” It is clear that the malls usual visitors have not been keeping up with the shopping scene. Louise Dudley, manager of the River Ridege mall, later states in the article, “This is a tough year for retail.”
With more and more American families being hit hard by the economies recent downturn, some of those housing Sweet Briar’s own students, there is less spending, therefore less money being received by companies and clothing stores. When asked about the recent shut down of the Gap store at the River Ridge location, Senior Sarah Goldstein states, “I actually was planning on going there when we got back to school. I had no idea that it had closed but it doesn’t surprise me since a lot of people have lost money.” Unfortunately, we are seeing this more and more as the economy attempts to re boot itself and get back to the grounds it once stood.
Those stores that have not been forced to close down completely, have adopted new marketing strategies and price fixings in order to keep customers to keep returning. For Pappagallo, a small b
outique located in nearby Lexington, this is exactly what is being done to keep the local “prepsters” and shoppers coming back for more. Pappagallo sells high end items from brands such as Lacoste, Vera Bradley, as well as wide assortment of shoes that appeal to the college age woman.
Despite the fact that the store is not in jeopardy of shutting down, owner Suzy Crawford admits that in such times as these, sales have gone down and the number of young women coming into the store is not near the norm. When asked of the effects
I have always been a severe shopper, purchasing items in a color that floods my closet or the expensive pair of designer jeans that look like any ordinary pair of blue jeans, which is ironic because I am not someone that gets handed money right and left or given a monthly allowance just for being someone’s daughter. I work in order to save money and be able to pay for things such as books at the beginning of each school year and continue to work throughout the year while at school. However, if I told you that I actually use all of my money for these reasons I would be lying. I am the first to admit that the second I receive a paycheck it is off to the mall to buy a shirt or pair of jeans that I have been eyeing for the past month. But unfortunately for the shopaholics out there such as myself, the recent recession has put trips to the mall on hold and as for me, I try not to look in the windows of cute stores because of the temptation to purchase items at a later time.
In the recent months, malls and stores have been closed as a decline in sales hit both managers and owners of local and national stores across the country. Specifically, the recession has hit close to home for many on Sweet Briar Colloege’s campus and on campuses in the surr
ounding area of Lynchburg and Lexington. This means fewer trips to Wal-Mart not to mention River Ridge mall where careless spending is performed by almost all Sweet Briar women in an attempt to buy a new outfit for an upcoming weekend.When asked how her spending habits have changed Sophomore Stewart Hulfish states, “I love to shop and not having money to spend on unnecessary items is almost painful, especially when I go online and see that my favorite stores have so many cute new clothes.” For many of the campus’s students, the state of the nation’s economy has acted as a wakeup call to the responsibilities that come with spending. Instead of purchasing something that will be worn once for what seems to be a “very important weekend” at Hampden -Sydney or some other campus function, girls here at Sweet Briar have cut back on spending altogether.
Like the typical college student across the nation, extra money to spend irresponsibly and on a whim does not come by very often, but in such times when many parents are facing financial problems it becomes increasingly higher. Many students can no longer can many individuals sit around and make a phone call home to get more money put into the bank account. Many of us have seen that bank statement at least once that doesn’t leave those paying for our expenses (parents) very happy, but with the economy in a downturn it seems that asking for more and more money is no longer an option for some. Instead of having the alternative to phone home for back up when spending and shopping for new outfits is not handled responsibly, students are seeing that work on their part may need to take place. My sister and senior here at Sweet Briar Meghan Kaminski says, “I had to work extra hours here at school this year since I was spending on shopping instead of saving. Plus, my parents are not willing to freely give me money as tuition and other things have increased.” College is the time to take on responsibilities such as working a side job whether on campus or off while studying and preparing for a future job and income and the recent recession has been a wakeup call to many.
Not only is the current recession affecting those consumers who are wanting to purchase new clothes, but it has also been effecting stores attempting to sell the clothes, and in the end not being as successful as anticipated. With the summer months fast approaching, and the hot summer temperatures starting to break upon us stores at both the Lynchburg mall and boutiques located in the area have released their new seasons looks. Much like the preparation for the swim seasons previous, Sweet Briar women have been anticipating the fresh new looks and trends, but are not spending as much on them this time around
Not only are students shopping habits being effected by the fall of the economy, but the stores in which these students shop are as well. With more and more individuals loosing money rather than making money, the availability to spend is not what it used to be for some. In fact, the River Ridge mall in nearby Lynchburg recently closed its Gap clothing store in January due to a loss in profits along with a few other stores that were not making effective profits. According to Bryan Gentry’s article which can be found in the Lynchburg News and Advance released in January of this year, “The clothing store will be the latest of several stores to close at River Ridge: Whitehall Jewelers and B. Moss shuttered in December because their national chains went bankrupt, and the McDonald's at the food court closed just after Christmas.” It is clear that the malls usual visitors have not been keeping up with the shopping scene. Louise Dudley, manager of the River Ridege mall, later states in the article, “This is a tough year for retail.”
With more and more American families being hit hard by the economies recent downturn, some of those housing Sweet Briar’s own students, there is less spending, therefore less money being received by companies and clothing stores. When asked about the recent shut down of the Gap store at the River Ridge location, Senior Sarah Goldstein states, “I actually was planning on going there when we got back to school. I had no idea that it had closed but it doesn’t surprise me since a lot of people have lost money.” Unfortunately, we are seeing this more and more as the economy attempts to re boot itself and get back to the grounds it once stood.
Those stores that have not been forced to close down completely, have adopted new marketing strategies and price fixings in order to keep customers to keep returning. For Pappagallo, a small b
outique located in nearby Lexington, this is exactly what is being done to keep the local “prepsters” and shoppers coming back for more. Pappagallo sells high end items from brands such as Lacoste, Vera Bradley, as well as wide assortment of shoes that appeal to the college age woman.Despite the fact that the store is not in jeopardy of shutting down, owner Suzy Crawford admits that in such times as these, sales have gone down and the number of young women coming into the store is not near the norm. When asked of the effects
the recent recession has had on the shops business, Suzy says “everybody is down this time of year; it’s a fact, so yeah our store has defiantly seen its effects.” With both students hear on campus and those on Washington and Lee University’s campus (located in Lexington) not shopping as much, it is evident that the state of the economy has defiantly had an effect on those in the surrounding area.
But, despite the downward slump, Pappagallo specifically has been finding ways to attract customers even when they are not up for spending as much money. “I travel abroad and around the area and bring back items that I know people will like and be willing to purchase” says Crawford on the ways in which she attracts customers to the store. Knowing that local shoppers do not have as much money to dish out on clothes they may already have, Crawford uses a marketing strategy and business approach that not only benefits the stores profits, but to those buying the items as well. Let’s face it, not everyone wants the same thing someone else has and every woman wants to be a trendsetter and in this case, individuals can be and feel like the purchase is worthwhile.
Though Pappagallo is roughly forty-nine miles away from Sweet Briar, some students here on campus occasionally frequent or have frequented Lexington and have been to and shopped at the store. Sophomore Carter Dame comments “I love the stuff that Pappagallo’s has it is all so cute, but it’s kind of expensive. I haven’t been there in a while since I haven’t been shopping as much.” Between the clothing, shoes, and accessories for sale at the boutique it is hard to resist the store during such times, but it is evident that for some spending money on a new top and heels is not an option. This may be why with the deals and approaches that Suzy Crawford offers and takes at her boutique in Lexington, she hopes to change the shopping choices made by customers during this slump by offering once in a lifetime purchases from other locations.
A t a closer location, in downtown Lynchburg, Sakinas is very similar to that of Pappagallo, offering top of the line designer brands and items that some say are not cheap. Sakinas sells the latest trends from designers such as Trina Turk, Diane Von Furstenburg, and Michael Stars.
Much like Pappagallo, Sakinas has not been forced to shut down, nor anywhere near that as it seems, but after talking to an employee of the store who asked not to be identified it seems that many different efforts are being made day in and day out to keep attracting customers and to keep profits going. The woman states, “here at Sakinas we try to be as helpful as possible to people that come in. We try to be as helpful as we can be with choosing things for the customers and we don’t necessarily convince or force them to buy anything but we persuade as much as possible like any other store in these times.” By convincing onlookers to possibly purchase
something while in the store, Sakinas hopes to keep their business growing and doing well even at the toughest of times when individuals are not out buying as much.
When asked what kind of effects the recent recession has had on the stores business and current profits the woman says, “despite the fact that people are losing money all over it has not had a great significant effect. People are defiantly buying less though, I mean instead of buying numerous things they are only buying one pair of shoes for instance when they come in.” Though the shop has not seen a huge decline in sales, it is evident that customers are not willing to pay as much as they may have in months previous. With the expensive price tag that comes along with the items purchased, consumers are being shopping savvy and refraining from overspending or spending money that they may not have.
Senior Turner Clarke comments, “I have been to Sakinas a few times, but the stuff there is a bit expensive so I only go when I need like a cocktail dress or something nice to wear. I’m trying to stay away from the whole shopping scene so I don’t buy stuff that I don’t really need.” Despite its close location and easy to spot store, Sakinas may be seeing a relative decline in profits as students here at Sweet Briar and those in the surrounding area such as Lynchburg college are staying away from boutiques and department stores at the Lynchburg Mall.
Though you no longer have to fight to get a fitting room and the odds of maneuvering from one side of the store to the other is no longer slim to none, locals and women here at Sweet Briar are keeping track of spending in such times. As our nation’s economy continues to dwindle down and have serious impacts on many Americans, weekend shopping trips to the mall and other
local boutiques have been put on hold.
When asked her opinion on the issue as a whole, freshman Molly Petchel states, “It’s just a really hard time for a lot of people and once they stop spending as much, stores are going to gradually lose money too. The only thing to do is hope that things get better and soon.”
But, despite the downward slump, Pappagallo specifically has been finding ways to attract customers even when they are not up for spending as much money. “I travel abroad and around the area and bring back items that I know people will like and be willing to purchase” says Crawford on the ways in which she attracts customers to the store. Knowing that local shoppers do not have as much money to dish out on clothes they may already have, Crawford uses a marketing strategy and business approach that not only benefits the stores profits, but to those buying the items as well. Let’s face it, not everyone wants the same thing someone else has and every woman wants to be a trendsetter and in this case, individuals can be and feel like the purchase is worthwhile.
Though Pappagallo is roughly forty-nine miles away from Sweet Briar, some students here on campus occasionally frequent or have frequented Lexington and have been to and shopped at the store. Sophomore Carter Dame comments “I love the stuff that Pappagallo’s has it is all so cute, but it’s kind of expensive. I haven’t been there in a while since I haven’t been shopping as much.” Between the clothing, shoes, and accessories for sale at the boutique it is hard to resist the store during such times, but it is evident that for some spending money on a new top and heels is not an option. This may be why with the deals and approaches that Suzy Crawford offers and takes at her boutique in Lexington, she hopes to change the shopping choices made by customers during this slump by offering once in a lifetime purchases from other locations.
A t a closer location, in downtown Lynchburg, Sakinas is very similar to that of Pappagallo, offering top of the line designer brands and items that some say are not cheap. Sakinas sells the latest trends from designers such as Trina Turk, Diane Von Furstenburg, and Michael Stars.
Much like Pappagallo, Sakinas has not been forced to shut down, nor anywhere near that as it seems, but after talking to an employee of the store who asked not to be identified it seems that many different efforts are being made day in and day out to keep attracting customers and to keep profits going. The woman states, “here at Sakinas we try to be as helpful as possible to people that come in. We try to be as helpful as we can be with choosing things for the customers and we don’t necessarily convince or force them to buy anything but we persuade as much as possible like any other store in these times.” By convincing onlookers to possibly purchase
something while in the store, Sakinas hopes to keep their business growing and doing well even at the toughest of times when individuals are not out buying as much.When asked what kind of effects the recent recession has had on the stores business and current profits the woman says, “despite the fact that people are losing money all over it has not had a great significant effect. People are defiantly buying less though, I mean instead of buying numerous things they are only buying one pair of shoes for instance when they come in.” Though the shop has not seen a huge decline in sales, it is evident that customers are not willing to pay as much as they may have in months previous. With the expensive price tag that comes along with the items purchased, consumers are being shopping savvy and refraining from overspending or spending money that they may not have.
Senior Turner Clarke comments, “I have been to Sakinas a few times, but the stuff there is a bit expensive so I only go when I need like a cocktail dress or something nice to wear. I’m trying to stay away from the whole shopping scene so I don’t buy stuff that I don’t really need.” Despite its close location and easy to spot store, Sakinas may be seeing a relative decline in profits as students here at Sweet Briar and those in the surrounding area such as Lynchburg college are staying away from boutiques and department stores at the Lynchburg Mall.
Though you no longer have to fight to get a fitting room and the odds of maneuvering from one side of the store to the other is no longer slim to none, locals and women here at Sweet Briar are keeping track of spending in such times. As our nation’s economy continues to dwindle down and have serious impacts on many Americans, weekend shopping trips to the mall and other
local boutiques have been put on hold.
When asked her opinion on the issue as a whole, freshman Molly Petchel states, “It’s just a really hard time for a lot of people and once they stop spending as much, stores are going to gradually lose money too. The only thing to do is hope that things get better and soon.”
