Two major retailers, Party City and Big Lots, have announced that they will be closing all their locations due to financial struggles. The news has left local customers feeling disappointed.
Party City’s CEO recently stated that the company will cease operations after more than 40 years in business. Despite filing for bankruptcy in 2023, the company was able to stabilize its finances earlier this year but ultimately couldn’t recover. Big Lots, on the other hand, filed for bankruptcy in September and is now preparing to host “going out of business” sales at all remaining stores.
Customers are expressing their disappointment with the closures, citing the loss of local jobs and the decline of traditional shopping experiences. While some acknowledge the benefits of online shopping, many believe that there’s no substitute for the convenience and immediacy of in-store shopping.
One customer, Chanelle Wright, noted, “It’s sad. It’s kinda like, when you have those needs, where are you gonna go?” Another customer, Randy Rowe, shared a personal experience, saying he used to shop at Big Lots but now his store on Airport Hwy will close too.
The closures come as online shopping continues to rise, with 2.71 billion people worldwide expected to shop online in 2024. However, some customers argue that there’s no substitute for the human interaction and personalized service offered by brick-and-mortar stores.
Source: https://www.13abc.com/2024/12/21/local-customers-disappointed-by-party-city-big-lots-closures