New Department Store Opening In Bend
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DownloadThe central Oregon economy has been hit by a series of layoffs, and slowing retail sales. In the face of that, one department store chain opened a new outlet in Bend Thursday. Central Oregon correspondent Ethan Lindsey reports.
Gottschalks is a Fresno, California-based department store that competes against Sears and JC Penney for middle-income shoppers. At the grand opening of its fifth Oregon location, about 50 shoppers rushed into the Bend store for an opening day sale. But all is not happy in the world of retail. The company’s sales dropped 11 percent last month. Chief Executive Jim Famalette says the economic news is bad.Famalette: "We’re not just here for 2008 or 2009. As anything, the economy will cycle back. In this case, you really have to commit to something and understand in good times, and bad, you’ll be there."
Several other new retail stores are opening in central Oregon this season. But, at the same time, several longtime storefronts have emptied out in the past few months, citing a slowing sales environment.
© 2008 OPB
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