The 10 Retailers Most Likely To Fail In 2017

If there’s one thing bricks-and-mortar retailers might love to see return, it’s consumers willing to pay full price. They shouldn’t hold their breath. Americans have become increasingly price-sensitive and unwilling to pay full price in stores, thanks to a combination of stagnant wages and lower prices from online retailers such as Amazon.com. That’s taking a toll on traditional retailers. So far in 2017, 10 retailers have filed for bankruptcy, including shoe chain Payless and women’s apparel vendor Limited Stores — that’s just a few less than went bust in all of 2016. And they’re unlikely to be the last, according to a new analysis from S&P Global Market Intelligence, which ran the numbers and identified another 10 retailers at risk of folding within the next year. One company on their list, Bebe Stores, said Friday it would close all of its more than 160 locations. “General merchandise stores and apparel retail are feeling the threat from convenience provided by online retailers,” Jim Elder, director of risk services at S&P Global Market Intelligence, wrote in an email. “Bankruptcies will likely continue in 2018 and beyond. Retailers that fail to adjust to changing consumer preferences will be the most at risk.” See more at CBS News.