Lesson: Department Store Death Knell
Department stores have been in financial difficulty for a while now. First, it was the gradual switch to online shopping, and then it was the 2008 financial crisis. If it’s not one thing, it’s another. Department stores can’t seem to catch a break. Now, it’s the coronavirus, and this may be the final straw. Lockdowns and social distancing may be the death knell for the traditional idea of a luxury everything store. For a short time, Japanese department stores had found a lifesaver in the mass influx of foreign tourists and the phenomenon of explosive shopping sprees. For the time being, at least, those days are over. Will department stores in Japan and overseas survive?
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Example Article
Each conversation topic is based on a theme. In order to help students acquire a basic understanding of that topic, four media articles are provided for them to read. I will never test you on the articles, but I strongly suggest you book lessons far enough in advance to give yourself enough time to properly prepare. The better prepared you are, the more benefit you will receive from our conversations.
Below is an example article for this conversation topic.