I agree with the facts presented by Andrew Willis. But his examples of success stories fall outside the area of department stores. Also, he fails to mention the Amazon Effect and the declining share of in-store retailing. Are department stores viable given Amazon?

Partly off topic: I hope the Globe does some stories on the ill-treatment of the Sears employees. In particular,  I am worried about their pensions. -- David Murrell, Economics, UNB at Fredericton