These Retailers Are Proving To Be “Un-Amazonable”

The news from retailing lately has been anything but encouraging. Dominating the headlines are stories about the struggles of Macy’s, Sears Holdings and JCPenney — and many other names, both venerable and new — that are closing stores and laying off thousands as consumer spending shifts to Amazon and other online outlets. But the picture isn’t entirely bleak. Retail analysts consider some chains to be “un-Amazonable,” meaning they’re weathering the Seattle-based e-commerce company’s competitive juggernaut better than most. The term is murky since no chain is completely immune from Amazon. For example, Amazon is planning to adding physical grocery and book stores. Among the brick-and-mortar standouts are off-price retailers such as TJX, Ross Stores, Burlington Stores and Nordstrom Rack. Customers are flocking to them for national brands at rock-bottom prices. They also have merchandise consumers can’t find online. “You need to think about how to make your business as un-Amazonable as possible,” Cowen retail analyst Oliver Chen said, adding that off-price retailers “offer national brands at 40 percent to 60 percent off, which is a competitive advantage.” Read more at CBS News.