A discussion with someone today made me think of this thread idea.
You can choose only one store to shop at (in person or online - BUT IT CAN’T BE AN ONLINE STORE ONLY - so, not Zappos - you must be able to have the option of the same store brick and mortar) for the 5 things below for the next 10 years. Only one store per item!
Groceries: I want to say my beloved Costco, but if I’m limited to one, I’ll have to say Meijer (big box)
Shoes: DSW
Athletic Wear: Sierra Trading Post
Furniture: tough one. For now I’ll go with Crate and Barrel
Everyday clothing: ???
Groceries: hands down Costco. That is the closest grocery store to us and that is where we buy 90% of groceries anyway.
Shoes: Nordstrom.
Athletic wear: Lululemon.
Furniture: Dania! 90% of our furniture is from there. Apologies to the kitchen table that came from elsewhere.
Everyday clothes: Nordstrom! Yay.
Groceries: The local Price Chopper or Hy-Vee. Costco for salmon and chicken.
Shoes: DSW or Off Broadway.
Athletic Wear: H2OWear
Furniture: Ikea, Nebraska Furniture Mart, thrift.
Everyday Clothing: I haven’t been in a department store since the pandemic. I guess I buy mostly online. I did buy some t-shirts at Michael’s.
Groceries- Aldi
Shoes - Fleet Feet
Athletic Wear (so shoes, clothing) Fleet Feet, LLBean
Furniture- probably Crate and Barrel, but we haven’t gotten furniture in years…and might get a couch.
Daily clothing, not shoes- LL Bean
Groceries - Harris Teeter (but I like Costco stuff better)
Shoes - Nordstrom, but Roadrunner for sport shoes
Athletic - Athleta (Lulu lemon honorable mention)
Furniture - unknown (we seem to prioritize travel higher than furniture, but need furniture)
Everyday clothes - Nordstrom
I love Athleta but when it comes down to it, I didn’t choose them because their colors/patterns can be sort of one note. It’s a vibe for sure but I need a little more variety!
I will be like @rockymtnhigh2 and go to REI for shoes, athletic wear, and clothing. And I will not buy any furniture for the next 10 years.
That way I will only have used up one store. So I have four slots left over for all the different small local stores that we patronize for groceries (the butcher shop, bakery, produce market store, and small general store).
Groceries-Fry’s (Kroger) in AZ, Hannaford in ME
Shoes/Daily Clothing-T.J. Maxx/Marshall’s (same company) in AZ, LL Bean in ME
Athletic Wear-Never buy/don’t own any
Furniture-I have no more need for retail furniture; DH makes it or we scout for antiques, used/refurbished, or custom pieces from local artisans.
Groceries: our local natural foods coop (are we also allowed to go to the farmers market?)
Shoes: Mast General Store
Athletic Wear: Mast General Store
Furniture: IKEA (haven’t bought furniture in many years)
Daily Clothing: honestly the last clothing I bought for myself came from the thrift store so I’ll say that
Other than groceries I really don’t shop very much.
