That which was foretold

[Rhys]

Years ago, I wondered how my local Ritz was keeping open. Whenever I went there, there were never any customers. I popped by today and it's all closed - the signs are gone and there are for rent signs in the windows.

I'm not altogether surprised. The chain is in poor shape anyway.

[Csae]

On the plus side, maybe you can get some bargains out of em if you have any contacts there.

[kgosden]

Rhys, I believe that the entire Ritz/Wolf chain was sold off in bankruptcy in late July. It was bought out by the current management team, so they kind of bought themselves. The goal was to keep most of the remaining stores open, but who knows what will really happen. They only paid $33M for the 375 stores.

[Mark_48]

I had heard quite a while ago the physical stores were in the process of slimming down or closing altogether. Ritz was going to put more emphasis on their online webstores. Not sure how that will work for them as their prices still seem typically high online. I never shopped there much, but they were handy if you needed something quickly.

http://www.ritzcamera.com/

I guess if you want to sell or market something, the best way is to a have a web presence. :rolleyes:

[Rhys]

I can't see ritz staying in business if they go online only. Their biggest asset was their storefronts as a storefront is great advertising and you get passing trade. I just checked the website for local stores and the nearest is now 7 miles away. That means two have closed locally - the one in the mall and the one about a mile away from my house. This can only mean that Best Buy will now step into the fray and offer more in the way of photographic goods and services.

[SpecialK]

The one near me folded some months ago. I missed any good close-outs (looking for another bag).

They were knuckleheads though. They said the store and website were different people (hence the different prices).

[Sole Shooter]

They said the store and website were different people (hence the different prices).

Lots of places do that. Samy's here in L.A. is a good example. They explain it on their website in a way that makes sense.

[Rhys]

The price on Walmart.com is less than the price in Walmart. The same for most combination retailers.

I'm sad to see all the camera shops closing.

[James DeRuvo DHQ]

Unfortunately, that's the way of things in the internet age. You can get all the research you wannt and then go for the price you need. Customer service is indeed a lost art as a result. You just can't compete with Walmart.com, Amazon.com and the like anymore.

[SpecialK]

Lots of places do that. Samy's here in L.A. is a good example. They explain it on their website in a way that makes sense.

The different prices was not the issue. They said it was different people.

[raven15]

I went to a small town photography shop to have a passport photo taken. I had been in this place over 20 years ago with my dad to have film developed. I was surprised when I discovered it was closed, even though the sign was still up. Then I saw it had been bought out by Ritz. Oh, well.

[Tomcat]

We had three in our area, but one closed last winter. The one I go to is still open but with very little inventory. They said they will be restocked in November.

[James DeRuvo DHQ]

Well, even the big boys are struggling these days. Not just due to the economy, but the wide competition of internet portals like Amazon, etc. Even the one I worked at in college was bought out by Ritz after being a fixture in the community for decades.

Seems like price has completely trumped service now.