Market Update: We break down the business implications, market impact, and expert insights related to Market Update: Wichita business expert breaks down economic factors behind retail closures – Full Analysis.
WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – Eddie Bauer is closing over 200 stores, including two in Wichita, on Monday. A Wichita business expert spoke about what the continued struggles national retailers are facing means for the economy.
“A lot of this has to do with investment firms, hedge funds… Different things. They come in and buy these things out, and traditionally, they load them up with a bunch of debt, and so it gets really precarious for them when there’s down turns,” said Dr. Larry Straub, an Associate Professor of Management at Newman University. “If there’s something that goes against them in the economy, it can get tough in a hurry.”
Related Story: Reports: Eddie Bauer closing fleet of 200-plus retail stores, includes 2 in Wichita
Online shopping can impact the retail stores as well.
“More and more people have just found the convenience of shopping online instead of running around and going, checking three or four or five different stores,” Straub said.
Straub said he does think there will always be a market for people go to stores in-person.
“I think people will want to go out and shop. I just don’t think we’re wired to sit around in our caves, and in our houses all day long and just push buttons,” Straub said.
Although small business owners keep seeing national retailers struggling, Straub doesn’t think that the smaller businesses should be concerned.
“I think smaller businesses and locally owned businesses a lot of times, they can be more nimble,” Straub said. “There’s these big lumbering organizations, these smaller organizations, locally owned organizations. They can zip around more like speed boats, and I think that’s where sometimes they have the advantage.”
Copyright 2026 KWCH. All rights reserved. To report a correction or typo, please email news@kwch.com