Some more thoughts on store closings

We're still trying to get the skinny on whether Staples' announcement Tuesday that it was closing stores will have any effect locally. Based on the fact that Best Buy, Kmart and Sears are still here, I'd say no. But times are changing.

In the meantime, here's an interesting link from last week to put things in perspective. I found this paragraph in particular to be enlightening:

Many experts believe that the number of retail establishments per capita in the United States was excessive even before the economy recessed. According to the 2007 Economic Census, there were 1,122,703 retail establishments in the United States and a total of 14.2 billion square feet of retail space. That means that there is approximately 46.6 square feet of retail space per capita in the U.S., compared to two square feet per capita in India, 1.5 square feet per capita in Mexico, 23 square feet per capita in the United Kingdom, 13 square feet per capita in Canada, and 6.5 square feet per capita in Australia.

http://retailindustry.about.com/od/storeclosingsandopenings/a/2012-Store-Closings-US-Retail-Industry-Liquidations-Roundup-Chains-Going-Out-Business.htm?p=1

Don't hold your breath waiting for Costco

Here I go, raining on the Costco parade. I found this list of store openings that goes well into 2013, with no mention of Idaho Falls. The source is a blog called Addicted to Costco. Here is the link: http://addictedtocostco.com/costco-locations/comment-page-55/#comment-131679

You might notice a lot of commenters from all over the country saying the same thing people are saying here: "We want Costco!" Take a number, I guess.

New Locations: (Updated 2012.09.11)

TAOYUAN, TAIWAN August 30, 2012
ULSAN, KOREA August 31, 2012
WHEATON, MD October 18, 2012
WEST EDMONTON, ALBERTA, CANADA October 19, 2012
WEST FARGO, ND October 23, 2012
BAXTER, MN October 24, 2012
SPANISH FORK, UT October 25, 2012
FARRAGUT, TN November 9, 2012
CONCORDVILLE, PA November 10, 2012
EAST PEORIA, IL November 14, 2012
SUN PRAIRIE, WI November 15, 2012
ROCHESTER, MN November 16, 2012
DRUMMONDVILLE, QUEBEC, CANADA November 27, 2012
OSHAWA, ONTARIO, CANADA November 28, 2012
WASHINGTON, D.C. November 29, 2012

Tentative opening dates:

THURMASTON, LEICESTER, UNITED KINGDOM End 2012/Early 2013
GWANGMYEONG STATION, SEOUL KOREA January 2013
HIROSHIMA, JAPAN March 2013
UKIAH, CA Late 2012/Early 2013
ALEXANDRIA, VA Early 2013
BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA Spring 2013
SOUTHAMPTON, UK Spring 2013
NEW ORLEANS, LA Summer 2013
RINGWOOD, VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA Summer 2013
LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY Mid to Late 2013
FORT WAYNE, INDIANA Mid to Late 2013
ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA Mid to Late 2013
GUELPH, ONTARIO, CANADA Fall 2013
YORKTOWN, NY Fall 2013
BATON ROUGE, LA 2013
SIOUX FALLS, SD 2013
CEDAR PARK, TX Late 2013/Early 2014
ST. ALBERT, ALBERTA, CANADA 2013
NAPA, CALIFORNIA Late 2013
WICHITA, KANSAS Late 2013

That was easy -- Staples announces it plans to close stores

Associated Press

Staples is speeding up the closure of about 15 of its U.S. stores and plans to close 45 stores and some delivery businesses in Europe.

The office products company also says it will invest more in its online and mobile efforts and will expand the product assortment that it offers to its business customers.

Staples Inc. said Tuesday that these moves and other actions are part of a strategic plan to better serve customers' needs and accelerate growth.

Staples is trying to adapt to the evolving needs of its customers. Last month the company reported that its second-quarter net income fell as sales of computers, software, and basic office supplies softened. Computer sales have been pressured by the introduction to many offices of the computer tablet and other mobile devices. Traffic is also down at Staples' stores and Europe continues to be a weak spot.

The chain expects the U.S. store closings will result in a charge of about $35 million in the fourth quarter. For fiscal 2012, it anticipates about 30 U.S. store closings. Staples also expects 30 stores will be scaled down and stores being relocated.

Lawmakers should keep hands off 3D printing, BYU-I professor says

3D printing uses liquids, power or sheet material to create an object from a CAD drawing.

This is an interesting article from TechCrunch written by Rick Kelly, an adjunct political science professor at BYU-Idaho, about 3-D printers and the issues they may be likely to present, especially when it comes to the Internet.

With 3D printing, also called additive manufacturing, the machine takes data from a CAD drawing and creates and object by laying down layers of liquid, powder, or sheet material. These layers, which correspond to the virtual cross section from the CAD model, are joined together or fused automatically to create almost any shape or geometric feature.

Kelly's concern is with the possibility of laws to restrict the manufacturing of firearms and drug using 3D printers, and the Internet freedom implications of such laws.

For those who appreciate the internet because of its democratizing effects and freedom, I believe the choice is clear. We should decide now that we will oppose any law that attempts to undermine freedom on the internet, no matter the consequences.

http://techcrunch.com/2012/08/26/the-next-battle-for-internet-freedom-could-be-over-3d-printing/ 

Idaho Falls residential building numbers show increase

A four-plex on John Adams Parkway, part of a 24-unit development started in the spring.

Going by numbers from the city of Idaho Falls Building Department, the market for new homes in Idaho Falls seems to be on the rebound.

Through the end of August, the city issued 91 permits for single family dwellings. This is the highest number since 2008, but still far below the 234 permits that were issued in the first eight months of 2007.

Based on a cost-per-square-foot calculation, the city issued permits for residential projects amounting to $6.93 million in residential value. Counting commercial projects, Idaho Falls issued permits for more than $73 million.

This is a number that can be swayed by one or two big projects, which has been the case this year. A permit for the $9.5 million Ethel Boyes Elementary project was issued Aug. 28. Add that to the Dora Erickson Elementary project and the new INL research center permits that were issued earlier this year and the numbers add up fast.