Half of U.S. Department Stores to Close by 2025, Say Experts

Before cable and subscription channels, there weren't many choices, and everyone watched the standard channels. Department stores are sort of like the TV viewing of the past. With the availability of more specialty stores that offer more choices regarding where to shop and with online stores that change how we shop, department stores (and malls) have lost a huge market share -- so huge that many department stores won't be around in the future.