# Why are there so many jewelry stores in malls? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 15, 2012, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-there-so-many-jewelry-stores-in-malls/628277 "2012-07-15T03:44:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2012, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-there-so-many-jewelry-stores-in-malls/628277/21 "2012-07-15T23:48:08Z")
> [@Voyager](#): > > The new advertising push is that mattresses wear out, and you need a new one every 7-8 years. Which might be true - our back pain vanished after we bought a new one. If you’re using a traditional mattress that sounds like a good idea. We have a twin mattress water bed, and they only last about 3 years (more if you’re careful I suppose). Even at every 7-8 years I can’t think of mattress store around here that would ever get repeat business. But good retail space is expensive around here, maybe other locations are different. Water beds aren’t for everyone, but they’ve been fabulous for my back. ---
**Author:** ![postcards](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8e8cbc/32.png) [@postcards](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/postcards)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2012, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-there-so-many-jewelry-stores-in-malls/628277/22 "2012-07-16T00:02:28Z")
> [@Keeve](#): > > …Why is there not even one hardware store?.. > > …Do toy stores have that small of a profit margin? Four words: Lowes, Home Depot and Walmart. Walmart can sell toys cheaply enough that national toy-only stores can hardly compete. Lowes and Home Depot pretty much killed local hardware stores (and lumber yards) as well; most small ‘local’ hardware stores are Ace affiliates. ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2012, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-there-so-many-jewelry-stores-in-malls/628277/23 "2012-07-16T00:30:18Z")
> [@Voyager](#): > > The mall jewelry stores I’ve been to typically carry a range of variously priced merchandise. They don’t pretend to be Tiffany’s. > > Sears still has a mattress department - small and not very good. Mattress stores need a good big of space - as do car dealers, of course. A mall wouldn’t turn down a mattress seller (and I’ve seen the very high end mattress sellers in malls) but they are not a good fit. There actually is a Tiffany’s in a mall near me. But I live in a high income area. ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2012, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-there-so-many-jewelry-stores-in-malls/628277/24 "2012-07-16T00:47:32Z")
Actually, those Ace and True Value stores are local hardware stores. They belong to a [buying cooperative](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Retailers%27_cooperative), but are independently owned and can buy from other suppliers. The reason you don’t see hardware stores in the sort of mall that has a directory is because a hardware store is a destination in itself and isn’t really the sort of store that gets a lot of impulse buys and it’s therefore not worth paying the higher rent. At least around here, you will see hardware store in the small strip shopping centers with a supermarket, drugstore dry cleaner, etc. ``` And those 66 women's apparel stores- some sell lingerie, others are focused on styles popular in particular age groups, casual clothing, career clothing, petites, certain sizes (either large or small), etc. And although there will be multiple stores of each type, the clothing in each of them will be different. After I find an outfit I like (having looked in three or four stores at least) , I'm likely to look for shoes ( where I am will check multiple stores again), accessories ( another few stores) and will probably check out a bookstore or fye to see if there is anything interesting. If there *was* a hardware store, I wouldn't stop in to check out the newest releases in locksets. ``` ---
**Author:** ![GreasyJack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/df705f/32.png) [@GreasyJack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreasyJack)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2012, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-there-so-many-jewelry-stores-in-malls/628277/25 "2012-07-16T00:56:17Z")
> [@doreen](#): > > The reason you don’t see hardware stores in the sort of mall that has a directory is because a hardware store is a destination in itself and isn’t really the sort of store that gets a lot of impulse buys and it’s therefore not worth paying the higher rent. I’ll bet the Sears tool section gets a lot of impulse buys from bored boyfriends and husbands. Radio Shack too, back before they became a cell phone store. ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2012, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-there-so-many-jewelry-stores-in-malls/628277/26 "2012-07-16T01:34:41Z")
Oh there’s a lot of impulse buying at the big box hardware stores. I still leave with the chisel I came in for, plus a new maglight and tape measure. And if it’s close to Christmas, a relative may be getting some replacement router bits I remembered they needed. ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2012, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-there-so-many-jewelry-stores-in-malls/628277/27 "2012-07-16T02:19:55Z")
> [@GreasyJack](#): > > I’ll bet the Sears tool section gets a lot of impulse buys from bored boyfriends and husbands. Radio Shack too, back before they became a cell phone store. Sure, Sears probably sells some tools. And I’ve seen Black and Decker stores in malls . I wonder why they doesn’t carry the rest of the items a hardware store stocks? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-there-so-many-jewelry-stores-in-malls/628277.md?page=1)