Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Retail therapy: Number of national retailers increases in the East Village, report says

[The same image we use every year, along with the same caption]

Via the EVG inbox...

The Center for an Urban Future has published the eighth edition of its annual “State of the Chains” study ranking the national retailers with the most store locations in New York City. The study shows that the growth in chain store locations across the city slowed considerably over the last year, with the number of national retail locations in the five boroughs up by just 1 percent between 2014 and 2015 — compared to a 2.5 percent gain in chain stores between 2013 and 2014.

Meanwhile, Dunkin Donuts remained New York City’s largest national retailer and widened its lead over second place Subway; with 568 stores citywide, Dunkin Donuts now has 124 stores more than any other retailer in the city.

The report also shows that the Bronx had the largest year-over-year increase in chains stores among all boroughs, with Brooklyn close behind. Two boroughs — Manhattan and Staten Island — had a minor decrease in chain stores over the past year.

The Center’s analysis shows that the 300 retailers that were listed on last year’s ranking expanded their footprint in New York City from a total of 7,473 stores in 2014 to 7,550 stores in 2015, an increase of 1 percent. While this is the seventh consecutive year with a net increase in national chain stores in the five boroughs, this year’s rate of growth was lower than all previous years except 2013—when the number of chain stores rose by 0.5 percent.

For the eighth consecutive year, Dunkin Donuts tops our list as the largest national retailer in New York City, with a total of 568 stores. Over the past year, Dunkin Donuts had a net increase of 32 stores in the city (a 6 percent gain). Subway is still the second largest national retailer in the city, with 444 store locations, but it now has 18 fewer stores than last year. Rounding out the top ten national retailers in New York are: MetroPCS (with 323 stores), Duane Reade/Walgreens (307), Starbucks (307), McDonald's (232), T-Mobile (217), Baskin Robbins (214), Rite Aid (197), and GNC (175). In all, there are now 14 retailers with more than 100 stores across the city, a decrease from 16 retailers with at least that number last year.

Starbucks still has more stores in Manhattan than any other national retailer, with 220 locations. In each of the other boroughs, Dunkin Donuts tops the list — it has 171 stores in Queens, 149 in Manhattan, 135 in Brooklyn, 80 in the Bronx and 33 on Staten Island.

Among the retailers with significant store growth over the past year:

• Sprint: 70 locations, up from 28 in 2014
• Fossil: 11 locations, up from 4 in 2014
• Sketchers: 11 locations, up from 7 in 2014
• Nathan’s: 25 locations, up from 17 in 2014
• Coach: 18 locations, up from 13 in 2014
• Just Salad: 19 locations, up from 14 in 2014
• Crunch: 16 locations, up from 12 in 2014
• T-Mobile: 217 locations, up from 181 in 2014
• MetroPCS: 323 locations, up from 290 in 2014
• GNC: 175 locations, up from 156 in 2014
• Chipotle: 58 locations, up from 50 in 2014
• Sunglass Hut: 30 locations, up from 23 in 2014
• Checkers: 35 locations, up from 28 in 2014
• Le Pain Quotidien: 36 locations, up from 30 in 2014
• Equinox: 25 locations, up from 20 in 2014
• Auntie Anne’s: 25 locations, up from 20 in 2014
• Taco Bell: 29 locations, up from 24 in 2014

Among the retailers that closed a number of stores over the past year:

• Radio Shack: 37 locations, down from 113 in 2014
• Bally Total Fitness: 3 locations, down from 15 in 2014
• Strawberry: 7 locations, down from 18 in 2014
• McDonald's: 232 locations, down from 243 in 2014
• Duane Reade/Walgreens: 307 locations, down from 318 in 2014
• Golden Krust: 59 locations, down from 69 in 2014
• Motherhood Maternity: 6 locations, down from 14 in 2014

And waaaay down here is the lead — buried. Drilling down a bit, as we like to say, it turns out that there was an increase this past year in the number of chain stores in our 10009 zip code ... up 5 from 25 last year to 30 in 2015. The 10003 zip code, which includes Union Square and parts of Fifth Avenue, has 163 chain retailers — one of the highest concentrations in Manhattan ... though that number decreased by 1 from 164 to 163 this year. (#math)

You may read the whole report right here.

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

Much ado about nothing.

Anonymous said...

Chain stores are gross and largely populated and supported by clueless youth who are new to the city and afraid of anything of which they are not familiar. It's just sad how homogenized our neighborhood and city has become because of the demand for such complacent repetition. You want Chipolte? Use McCormick's Chipolte spice powder to marinate your protein meat (overnight is best for flavor) with a little oil and lime juice. Grill. Make rice. Cut veggies and add the other items as needed. Not only will your meal not contain e.colli, but it will be fresher, healthier, and way cheaper: My homemade recipe costs one-third the price and lasts in the fridge 3-4 days and it's totally gluten free.

Anonymous said...

You want Chipotle? When you go there, make sure to have your doctor along.

Anonymous said...

Anon 7:40 has a point. I wonder how many of these chain stores are franchises. Are people who invest their savings in wanting to open a business (even a franchise) to be verbally tarred and feathered on this site? Of course yes!

Gojira said...

I see the Grinches are already out in full force today. Lots of hostile Anonymi on this thread and others, so early in the morning!

Anonymous said...

The EV has another claim to fame - it is now the biggest mall food court in NYC!!!

Anonymous said...

Why is there no mention of 7-11? They brought themselves much negative attention with their "we're going to put the bodega out of business" threat. Did their plans fizzle out?

Anonymous said...

Or perhaps chain stores tend to do a good job at stocking things people like. I really doubt that people are afraid of going into stores they aren't familiar with. But anything to take a cheap shot at those kids these days. Isn't that right, Pop?

Anonymous said...

Sorry but Pop is working

Anonymous said...

Manhattan has pretty much turned into the greatest mall in America. That's not a compliment.

Brian said...

Chain stores hire lowest wage workers who are clueless. CVS, Rite Aid, 7-11 are the worst. Stores are stocked via warehouse in NJ. Merchandise is stale. Nothing is a bargain or a find in NYC anymore. Rents are too high for stores to offer bargains of any kind. Nothi g is unique except for the high end. This includes food and restaurants too. If you want fun on the cheap, go to Detroit or South Carolina.

Anonymous said...

Chains are supported by 'clueless youth'? The city is '?homogenized'?
Isn't NYC 65 percent nonwhite and 40 percent foreign born? I know these stats and reality don't matter. How many of these franchises are owned by nonwhite foreign born NYers? Don't answer that it would ruin your argument. If they are so 'gross' and horrible why don't they all go out of business?

Anonymous said...

A lot of the youth here are typically either attending excellent schools, or are highly educated professionals. They're likely smarter than you by a notable margin.

Brian said...

Yes the city is homogenized. Even if the socalled racial components are not. Does not ruin anyone's arggument.

Anonymous said...

"A lot of the youth here are typically either attending excellent schools, or are highly educated professionals. They're likely smarter than you by a notable margin."

Being a "smart" young person does not mean they have knowledge of our local history, culture and the kind of wisdom which comes with experience and sometime age. From my observations many new New Yorkers did not come here to eat ethnic food unless it is ethnic cuisine and cooked by a celebrity chef. There is a reason Starbucks, Subway, 7-11, etc... are prospering here, they have customers seeking the familiar and not local and mom & pop.

Edmund Dunn said...



"If this sounds familiar it’s because this is 7-Eleven’s go-to tactic to punish franchisees they consider subordinate. According to the Dallas Business Journal and other sources, 7-Eleven Inc. is the defendant in more than twelve lawsuits alleging that the company terminated franchise contracts without proper cause. Plaintiffs in the suits claim that 7-Eleven targeted stores in high-traffic locations, enabling the franchisor to offer the locations to new franchisees willing to pay higher fees."



https://no7eleven.wordpress.com/tag/franchise-horror-stories/

Anonymous said...

There are plenty of smart/talented youths here when you are talking about people at Columbia or FIT or Julliard or something. NYU, bane of the East Village? yeahhhh not so much. With few departments/exceptions, that population is largely "my parents money."

And if you think the "highly educated professionals" working in, IDK, finance are smarter than the rest of us, I'd say you probably haven't spent much time around bankers, who take pride in their anti-intellectualism.

Let's just say that a lot of young NYC people do seem to prefer the franchise comforts of their suburban homes ... it doesn't mean they are dummies, maybe just not as adventurous as us older people would hope.

cmarrtyy said...

A small store can't meet the price point of the chains. People who live in the EV are like their counter parts in the 'burbs. They look for bargains. During my first 25 years in the EV it was highway robbery without a gun. The last 20 years have been a lot better thanks to chains. The EV isn't what it was 20 years ago. We should take advantage of what's here. Power to the people! Power to the discounts!!

Anonymous said...

Omg did the chain store supporters seriously just come out for this post?

deva said...

Break the Chains! Shop local.

Anonymous said...

Yes. Chain stores require intellectuals to buy shit.

Anonymous said...

Chain stores are great for all ages but those who most benefit are students and seniors who are on limited incomes. Why should their access be limited by others? Chain drugstores are especially important to the elderly who are sometimes on multiple prescriptions and competitive pricing is important. And McDonalds early in the mornings looks like a senior citizen center because of the high percentage of elders who hang out (btw most are the longest time residents of the area.) Where else can they get a cup of coffee at such prices and sit for hours? (compare the price of a small coffee from McDees to that of a price of a small coffee at the Bean)

Anonymous said...

CB 3 laid down what it will support to replace PC Richard on 14th St
* Another PC Richards and Son
* no chain store
* no eating/drinking establishment where alcohol is served
* only affordable retail
* no dormitory
* 100% permanently affordable housing
* prevailing wage for all jobs on site, need to collaborate with local group for hiring

Yeah sounds nice but Who is going to rent this space out under such tight restrictions? I guess they want the owner go bankrupt.