system
A chat on subreddit /r/wallstreetbets
human
There is a lot more than their business model being outdated. If you, like everyone else, has been to a mall in the last few years and saw parking lots full and stores brimming with people, then you will be left wondering how is it retail is dying. Many of these retailers, especially those heavily focused on fashion and furniture, not only have to fight the online retailers but also fight the fast fashion shops like zara, h&amp;m and others, that puts their inventory under tremendous pressure.

Then there is the issue with finding retail workers. With significant wage increase, shortage of workers, one can see how operating stores even in high traffic areas becomes unprofitable. 

Lastly, the retail thefts. Walmart said they lost an estimated $3b to thefts alone in 2022! If this is not curbed then i wouldn't be too surprised if someday we go back to the way things were before "big retail" when stores were small, items were behind the glass counter, and you had staff show you everything from a shirt to kitchenware. It wouldn't be a bad thing except the profit was also 1/1000th of what these big companies make from a store today.
gpt
&gt;Many of these retailers, especially those heavily focused on fashion and furniture, not only have to fight the online retailers but also fight the fast fashion shops like zara, h&amp;m and others, that puts their inventory under tremendous pressure. 

I mean, yeah. A business model that hasn't updated their supply chain in 40 years IS going to have inventory issues. That's literally what we're talking about.

&amp;#x200B;

&gt;significant wage increases  
&gt;  
&gt;shortage of workers

Pick one.

&amp;#x200B;

&gt; Lastly, the retail thefts. Walmart said they lost an estimated $3b to thefts alone in 2022! If this is not curbed then i wouldn't be too surprised if someday we go back to the way things were before "big retail" when stores were small, items were behind the glass counter, and you had staff show you everything from a shirt to kitchenware. 

Walmart can afford to up security at their stores, but they don't because the cost of theft outweighs the cost of paying additional employees. That is the definition of a business model problem.

Please don't make it the government's problem. I don't want to pay more taxes that subsidize walmart. Please let walmart go under so a company that actually pays people to do their jobs can rise form the ashes.

&amp;#x200B;

&gt; It wouldn't be a bad thing except the profit was also 1/1000th of what these big companies make from a store today. 

Walmart (the same walmart that effectively rentseeks because of how much of the low cost labor market they control) profiting less is actually not a bad thing.

Are you like, middle management at a fortune 500 retailer? If so, you can get a job at a new business with your experience and it won't be a big deal, so don't worry about it.