Chris B

Is Williams-Sonoma Going Downscale?

They are doomed. The $50 carrot peeler store is an absurd idea. The consumer savings rate is about to go from 2% to 10% or beyond and the days of buying a fashion saucepan for $150 are long past. Their products are barely better than what you get at Target, but cost 10X as much (e.g. $75 throw pillows). Their value contribution for consumers is thus zero. Consumers are broke, and no store-label credit card is going to change that. Status symbols are things like BMW's, diamonds, or boats. Paying too much for a friggin dish set does nothing to communicate your wealth to others. They will go the way of Woolworths and Dillards.