Features

How the beach boardwalk exemplifies three key retail trends

The beach boardwalk exemplifies three critical retail trends that landlocked and traditional retailers can apply year-round: proximity and convenience, multi-amenity clustering, and experiential entertainment.

First, boardwalks demonstrate the success of convenience-based retail models with proximity-driven pricing, as customers are willing to pay premium prices for quick access to items without leaving their beach location, a strategy successfully replicated by convenience retailers like 7-Eleven and Domino's through mobile delivery.

Second, boardwalks showcase the power of mixed-use, multi-amenity destinations by concentrating diverse offerings—sit-down and quick-service restaurants, convenience and grocery stores, apparel shops, souvenir stands, entertainment venues, and service providers—all in one general area to maximize customer time and spending.

Third, boardwalks emphasize experiential retail through games and entertainment such as skeeball, arcade games, and interactive activities that transform shopping into an entertainment destination, encouraging longer visits and deeper customer engagement beyond transactional purchases.

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Saks Global exits bankruptcy; changes name, slashes debt

Saks Global emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on June 26, 2026, after nearly five months of restructuring and rebranded itself as Exemplar Luxury Group to signal a fresh start and renewed commitment to luxury retail excellence. The company achieved a nearly 75% debt reduction through the bankruptcy process while securing $500 million in new exit financing, with sufficient liquidity to drive long-term profitable growth. The restructured company reduced its store footprint from approximately 115 locations to just 49 stores, closing 62 off-price locations including 57 Saks OFF 5th stores and all five Neiman Marcus Last Call outlets. The new entity operates three flagship banners—Saks Fifth Avenue with 15 stores, Neiman Marcus with 33 locations, and Bergdorf Goodman—and is led by CEO Geoffroy van Raemdonck with a reconstituted board including representatives from investment firms Pentwater Capital Management and Bracebridge Capital.

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The running list of major retail bankruptcies

Saks Global filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on January 14, 2026, about a year after completing its merger with Neiman Marcus, with the filing widely anticipated as the luxury conglomerate struggled financially and vendor relationships deteriorated due to past-due invoices. Eddie Bauer LLC filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on February 9, 2026, marking the end of the brand's brick-and-mortar presence with 175 locations set to close. Pat McGrath Cosmetics filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on January 22, 2026, following a lengthy private dispute between McGrath and a lender. Francesca's filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection for the second time in less than a decade on February 5, 2026. Other retailers identified as high-risk for 2026 include Wayfair, ASOS, AMC Theatres, Walgreens, QVC Group, and J. Crew Group, with smaller companies facing disproportionate challenges compared to larger retailers during volatile economic times.

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