Americans are more value-conscious than they have been in decades. And retailers offering good deals, from bargains on brand-name goods to conveniences such as free shipping, are gaining share at the expense of peers that have been slow to innovate, the Wall Street Journal reported. Walmart Inc., Target Corp. and T.J. Maxx parent TJX Cos. reported strong sales growth and an uptick in visitors to their stores. But Macy’s Inc., J.C. Penney Co. and Nordstrom Inc. are among retailers that continue to struggle. “The common thread among retailers that are doing well is that they offer some type of value,” said Chuck Grom, senior analyst at Gordon Haskett Retail Advisors. “But, today, value is about more than just price. It’s also about convenience.” Convenience can take many forms. It can mean pulling into a Walmart or T.J. Maxx parking lot and dashing into the store rather than navigating through a shopping mall maze. It can also mean free, two-day shipping, no minimum required, as Target offered last holiday season.
