Have you taken a stroll through your local mall lately? No? Neither has anyone else. You’re apt to see tumbleweeds blowing through than you will a customer looking to spend money.

The list of store closures just keeps growing.  Mall stores that were once staples of where Americans shopped are now gone. 

JC Penney, Sears, Macy’s are just a few that have closed. Smaller stores like The Limited, Gap and Bebe haven’t escaped the retail-apocalypse.

Now you can add Ann Taylor, Loft and Lane Bryant to the list. The company that owns those stores is closing hundreds of locations and significantly reducing their mark on the retail map. High rents and more internet shopping are two reasons for the closures. 

There is still a Macy’s near me, but this is posted outside: A definite sign of the times.

Malls are struggling to stay open and according to Credit Suisse, a leading global services company,  between 20 to 25% of malls in America will close within five years.  

But there are three stores that aren’t slowing down. They’re OPENING new locations and even adding new product lines.

Sephora, Ulta and Blue Mercury are thriving in this down retail atmosphere.

So why are they cleaning up while others are shutting down? Because everyone still wants to look beautiful. Whether it’s on social media, in pictures or just for every day. And shoppers would rather go into these stores. most of which are located in outdoor shopping centers and are easier to access. Admit it. Wouldn’t you rather try on a new lip shade before buying it? Or smell the shampoo you just read about in a magazine?

Their customer service is a plus. There’s always a sales associate who can help you pick out and try on new cheek colors or teach you how to contour like a Kardashian. They’re all thriving in this falling retail economy and all three are opening new locations and adding beauty lines.

At Ulta you can buy drugstore brands along with department store staples such as Clinique and now MAC. 

Sephora and Blue Mercury carry more upscale beauty buys.  At Sephora check out the new items from Dior cosmetics… 

…or go to Blue Mercury for La Mer and Oribe.

These stores also offer something the big chains can’t: in store services for your hair, nail and skin. 

So while the list of store closures grows, Ulta, Sephora and Blue Mercury aren’t going anywhere but up. These stores are also doing a booming business online. They’re conquering both worlds and cleaning up while most stores are shutting down. They’re at the top of their game and sitting very pretty.

#####
Don’t Let Chic Happen without YOU!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Chic-Happens/140944165939514 

Twitter: chichappens5 https://twitter.com/chichappens

Instagram: @chichappensboston https://instagram.com/chichappensboston/