Re:America’s ‘Retail Apocalypse’ Is Really Just Beginning
by thefalcon on Wednesday November 08, 2017 @11:57AM
(#15654252)
Thankfully 50,000 likes on Facebook is cheaper than the object at the store. (Only somewhat kidding. Don't buy your kids Facebook Likes.)
Re:America’s ‘Retail Apocalypse’ Is Really Just Beginning
by jacalata on Wednesday November 08, 2017 @12:09PM
(#15654386)
My kids, no, but that will be a hilarious birthday present for my brother.
Re:America’s ‘Retail Apocalypse’ Is Really Just Beginning
by lotsofpulp on Wednesday November 08, 2017 @12:07PM
(#15654364)
I think they still want things, just happen to be more "experience" related, which are more expensive. International travel, expensive restaurants, "off the beaten" path type adventures, performances etc are all in vogue, and all are good for displaying status on Snapchat and Facebook. A $50 toy isn't good for that, and the younger kids probably find more enjoyment in using phones or with video games.
Re:America’s ‘Retail Apocalypse’ Is Really Just Beginning
by smileysteve on Wednesday November 08, 2017 @02:23PM
(#15655984)
I think that this must be isolated in specific communities. Keep in mind that the "average American" rarely leaves their state.
I'm reminded of an article I read last year about parents buying presents for kids at Christmas. In the 90s it was easy. The kid wanted a thing. A gaming device, a dress, or a car... there was an object that the kid wanted to own. That object was sold at a store. But today's kids don't want things. They have the iPhone. What they want is 50,000 likes on facebook. Their happiness is tied less directly to things than social acceptance. Often having the thing leads to that social acceptance, but increasingly not. Your seeing the junk as superfluous, and mentioning it here on HN, fits with that shift away from retail goods and towards social acceptance via online communities.