Retail Stores are Closing

I remember when one of my favorite stores - Robinson's May - decided to sell out or maybe they just consolidated. I was devistated and you could hear the chatter inside the store of others that were so disappointed. The retail public is not always aware of the real reasons but we do know it all comes down to solvency. This was actually a few years ago and it has been followed by many other well known, large and small retailers alike. In recent months we have watched large financial institutions fall as well.
The past few holiday shopping seasons have resulted in disappointing sales figures and the upcoming season looks to be bleak. What is going to turn it all around?
The American public has come to expect good quality at a reasonable price. We have become better shoppers and with the Internet at our fingertips, we have been able to find what we are looking for.
As entrapraneurs, we have an opportunity to enhance our customer satisfaction by providing great quality products & services and improve our customer retention. Customer service is important and people respond to it. Where ever possible, we need to improve shipping times and offer fair return policies. An example: Chicks Sporting Goods sold out to another sporting goods store who does not carry the extent of products that used to be available. The result is that we have gotten a landslide of calls from customers who previously bought our t-shirts at Chicks and now can't find them anymore. We have made them available at our online store where those customers can now get their fill. Why do the customers seek out those shirts? The quality is amazing and we stand behind them if there is ever a glitch in printing or shrinkage. Although it almost never happens, we would replace the defective shirt without a question.
There are other establishments where customers are flocking due to their liberal return policy and/or customer service. On the other hand, I know plenty of people who will not shop at a certain electronics store due to the return policy and/or lack of customer service. It really makes a difference.
That's my opinion - let me know your thoughts, ideas or comments . . .