Retail sales were down 16% last month. The largest monthly drop on record.
To put that into context, the largest recorded single month decrease prior to April was a record 8.7%. In March of this year.
Two months in a row of record-setting drops in retail sales.
People are shopping less and less—and we’re all learning that life continues without it.
Looking deeper in the numbers: Clothing stores took the biggest hit with a 78.8% tumble in sales. Other big losers were electronics and appliances (60.6% decline), furniture and home furnishing (58.7% drop), and sporting goods (down 38%). Source
In other words, nonessential consumer goods are not being purchased. And yet, for most of us, life continues.
Oh, there may be some people that miss shopping and wish their weekend could be spent at the mall, but I get the feeling that “digging through clearance racks” is not the top item on most peoples’ to-do list when shelter-in-place guidelines are lifted.
Because we are all realizing that life is not found in an abundance of material possessions.
Retail shopping is not needed for our survival. Of course, it never was. But it has been helpful to be reminded of that fact.
Given the reality that most of our homes are filled with more possessions than at any point in human history (even after 2 months of stores being closed), buying stuff from the store is no longer about survival for most of us.
Shopping for clothes, electronics, or sporting goods is not a matter of life-or-death. We’re all learning that—or at least we should be.
But I think we are learning an even more important lesson.
We’re also learning that excess physical possessions is not where quality of life is found either.
I recently asked a group of random strangers on Twitter, “What are you most looking forward to doing when shelter-in-place guidelines are lifted?”
Among the answers, nobody replied “shopping.”
Instead, people want to hang out with friends, see loved ones, take their family out for dinner, attend concerts, use the parks, hit the gym, or go out to enjoy ice cream.
And I think that’s the point. When it comes to recognizing what activities contribute to quality of life, accumulating physical stuff pales in comparison to the actual life-giving pursuits we are being forced to go without.
We’re all learning this aren’t we? That nobody is missing material things.
We miss hugging our grandparents, sharing experiences with friends, social gatherings, intimate conversations, and meeting new people.
That is where life is found.
In relationships with other people.
Not in material possessions.
We went to a neighborhood restaurant and ate on their patio. All tables were several feet apart. We usually don’t eat outside because smokers sit on the patio. It was very pleasant. My daughter lost a month of work because the store she works at was closed. Her other job, at a museum, is open for staff, but not for the public. The curators and the people who do writing and planning and repairs are busy. I am thinking if people drive a little less, buy smaller homes that take less energy to heat or cool, or use fewer plastic products, we may be better off. We eat red meat maybe 3 or 4 times a year. That is for the environment and my husband ‘s health.
Wonderful article Josh. I have been thinking a lot about what is truly essential, as well as the things I miss (and those to my surprise that I don’t). Hopefully these times lead to a permanent shift away from retail and toward services and experiences, helping our earth and economies at the same time.
I have always been a minimalist. In college, my friends wanted me to buy more clothes. I always wanted less. My friend bought me a blouse a few months ago because she said she always saw me in gray or black. I told her I was seventy years old and this was the way I dressed. I returned the blouse and got two bath towels we needed and a credit.
This article didn’t sit well with me. To choose to go without is to be privileged, to be forced to go without is to be impoverished. I am concerned too many people will be facing the later in this new economy. I hope I am wrong and we will all just be better and happy with our lives of less. From someone who watched loved ones lose everything they worked for, it’s very difficult to see the silver lining in less.
I do believe this has gone on long enough to make cultural shift quite likely. We are a culmination of our experiences, and most have felt trauma/oppression to some degree. What’s important is human connection as folks’ longings demonstrate.
On the surface, I agreed with your article. However taking a closer look you’re a tad off on the lack of need for retail business. It’s easy for those who have not lost their job due to the closing of their business, to sit back and say we don’t need retail. For myself, I prefer a clutter free somewhat minimalist home and I don’t shop just to shop, but do you know what I’m looking forward to? The re-opening of ALL businesses in this country. I like the freedom of knowing the doors of any business are open and I can stop in and look around and even (gasp!) purchase something ‘non-essential’ if I want. I want the item and the store owner makes a sale. It’s called a free economy! It’s one of the great things this country was built on and it’s not evil. You don’t want to shop? You don’t want to fill up your home? Great, don’t do it. Look deeper in the numbers? Well it doesn’t take much to do that… the reason for the drop is that these businesses were deemed ‘non-essential’, resulting in mandatory closing, people out of work and businesses loosing their butts. Personally, I don’t need any more clothes, furniture, electronics, or sporting goods, but someone else might need some–and that is their right to purchase what they want. Do you know what I’m looking forward to? Breezing into stores and not being pressured to wear a mask. Not dealing with curb-side pickup. Stepping inside a neighbor’s home to visit. Borrowing an item from a neighbor and not having them wipe it off with sanitizer as they handed it to me. Checking out at the grocery store and not facing a plastic barrier between me and the checker (so the virus stopped at that barrier?). I want to see kids back on playground equipment and back in public swimming pools… and schools back open this fall! I want a return to our basic rights not continually threatened as they are now. People need to stand up and say no, we are not accepting this so called ‘new normal’. All items are essential to someone. Let those who like to shop, shop. Those of us who prefer virtually nothing in our homes, that’s our right too.
As someone who subscribes to the minimalist principles of “does this add value to my life”, who is also struggling with health issues along with depression AND covid – I found this article, which frequently used the term, “we are all” or “we all” hard to read.
There have been years where I was mentally and emotionally strong, very mindful about not purchasing excess and making do with what we had and content.
I don’t think I’m alone in saying that I subscribe to the minimalist values and principles, but that during unprecedented times it is also okay to intentionally choose to purchase things that are material or frivolous in nature within our means. I just finished a 1 hr counseling session discussing how to recognize my intentionality & purchasing analysis and when adequately thought out should not feel shame or guilt about it.
I fully agree with a lot of sentiments you wrote – relationships and fulfilling purposes and passions should not be sacrificed for the pursuit of material items – but I found it hard being asked/told multiple times what we’re ALL learning. “We’re all learning that aren’t we? That nobody is missing material things.”
I miss normal life, which includes occasionally intentionally consuming material things. And that’s okay.
The pursuit and journey of minimalism is unique to each individual and I hope that others reading this article and the comments will not feel alone in the shame I felt reading this article.
It’s similar to how someone who focuses on healthy eating and exercise may sometimes indulge in a bowl of chips or few cookies and may find themselves intentionally doing that more during this unprecedented stressful time.
I think that at a time where we are dealing with so much emotionally, mentally, and physically, it’s important to realize that if we are financially able to responsibly, intentionally, and mindfully consume material items that that is okay. We can do that while still honouring our minimalist values, continuing our unique minimalism/intentional living journey, and without feeling like “those others” that are separate from the “we all”.
I think “we all” miss normal life and we all are trying our absolute best. Even if that includes occasional non-essential purchases.
Let’s continue to be gentle with ourselves and with others.
Joshua – thanks for your continued content and for this community.
Yes, I wholeheartedly agree. I keep my other not so friendly thoughts about this post (not your reply) to myself.
Thanks for the comment Joy. Have you read my others posts: Becoming Essential
If you agreed on the surface, you agree with the article. To assume this article (below the surface) was a call for all retail businesses and schools and park to remain closed would be reading something that was not written.
Joshua, I looked below the surface… I thought, and I commented.
I answered the question, “what are you most looking forward to when shelter in place guidelines are lifted?” It never crossed my mind that you were somehow subliminally suggesting all businesses, schools, parks, etc. be closed. And yes, I’ve read all your posts.
Joy, Well thoughtout comnent!. I do love being as minimal as possible but realize our U.S. economy (taking a hit 2 mos. in a row) has a serious impact on many aspects of our society. If this trend continues, economists from many parts of our world predict a depression not seen before in the U.S, Even though we want our citizens safe from the virus, we need to begin realizing that, being a minimal society, will lead to serious consequences. This isn’t a political agenda, it’s reality.
Of course nobody is forcing you to be a minimalist! But maybe you forgot which site you chose to read. This one is for people who ARE interested in the minimalist way of life. Part of the minimalist philosophy is often to consume less material stuff. Its okay too.
Agree. New normal phrase makes me sick. Gov trying to manipulate us ? Fight it folks. We don’t want any new normal blarney shoved down our throats; we want our old ordinary back.
Nearly 100,000 people have died of COVID-19 in the USA in 3 months. Those people and the old normal aren’t coming back. Like it or not —and I certainly don’t— we all have to learn to live with the situation as it is. We have to figure out how to open things safely and get people back to work as soon as possible AND without placing them at excessive and unnecessary risk. That can’t happen if people insist on politicizing the process rather than cooperating to move forward together.
I’m sorry you’re so angry. I hope you find some peace in the necessity of slowing the spread of this awful illness.
I just took another car full of stuff to the Goodwill. They recently reopened. My neighbor asked if I could take a few of her things, too.
This is my third trip in two weeks. My favorite thing is my costume jewelry collection. I have pieces I wear all the time. They remind me of who gave them to me and don’t take up much space. I had some gorgeous pieces I didn’t wear and my daughter in law took a few. I gave some to a local museum. I am keeping the rest. I have very few clothes or shoes or anything else but I love my outrageous jewels.
I’m sorry you’re so angry. I hope you find peace.
So well said, Joy!
Many thanks for the email, and for the many comments that help me see different sides of the issue.
Saturday’s Globe and Mail (a major Canadian newspaper) had 46 different, short columns/topics about how life may well change after the pandemic is over, from governments to parenting to long term care home design to eating out, cultural outings, paper money and much more.
I’m keeping this issue.
Unfortunately, powerful cunning advertising will suck the sheep in to buy buy buy!
Elon Musk is getting rid of his possessions and talks a lot about the burden they bear on him. Very interesting.
So far I have hauled out three bags of trash, and as soon as donation centers reopen, I will be hauling out a lot more stuff. Spending two months locked in my apartment has made me realize just how much excess stuff I had. And I have absolutely no desire to buy anything more.
I want less, less, less, in order to have more freedom. I want to leave my big city and live someplace closer to nature, with much less stuff I don’t need. Our consumer-based society needs to change. Yes, there will be jobs lost, but there must be a shift away from filling the world with crap and killing our planet.
This may have been one of your best articles yet!
Well thanks Barbara.
I truly feel this way. I miss seeing and hugging my grandchildren. Miss my mom, who is in an assisted living community. I miss worshiping with my church family. I am grateful for modern technology that we can still stay connected in some way. Thank you, Josh!
My mother is an 86 year old Parkinson’s patient. She never talks about stuff she has owned. She talks about memories of family life and experiences she has had. Memories are roses in our winter.
John, what a beautiful way to express how cherished memories can be!
Indeed.
While in lockdown, we have no need to impress others. Our commercial-driven media has always told us how we need to present to the world. Right now, we’re on hiatus. When restrictions are lifted, most will go back to heeding the call to be in fashion, with clear skin, driving the right car, etc.
And I agree with the comment above that many make their living from the retail industry. We can’t demonize them, but we can consider our own behaviour. (Don’t mind the spelling. I’m Canadian!)
Relevant: A Break From FOMO
Although I agree with you, what about all the people that made their living by selling all of these nonessential things? Unfortunately, our economy is built on consumption. How do we keep our economy going, not have people starving, and yet live a lifestyle that values people over things when those things allowed people to make a living.
Our economy is built on the exchange of money. That does not need to stop. Just because people stop buying thing they don’t need doesn’t mean money stops changing hands. Here’s more: A New, Minimalist Economy
Exactly! We will still spend. But we will maybe be more thoughfull when we spend? And maybe we can all have a few dollars in savings? Maybe our spending will shift to gourmet meals, better wine and chatting around an open fire? Maybe we’ll all start getting a mani/pedi and fabulous hair cuts? And maybe we’ll stop cramming so much “stuff” into our homes along the way. This will become our new normal. Everything changes anyway.
Peace!
Ah yes, I have a couple friends who would disagree with you about the shopping part. But that is who they are, yet when they come to my house, they feel so relaxed. I started letting go of material possessions awhile back and have never looked back! Many lessons learned through this maze of confusion we are experiencing. Something good comes from everything…..
I agree that many people have had an awakening to the priorities in their lives. But I don’t agree with the logic in this article pertaining to buying material goods. People weren’t buying because they had no choice: most state governments declared most retail shops “nonessential” and made them close.
Thanks for the comment. Just to clarify: I did not write that people stopped buying because they had a choice in the matter. I know why retail sales have dropped so much over the last two months. I also know that life has continued, and the things most people are missing the most right now is not rummaging through a Clearance rack somewhere.
For those of us on low budgets (for instance because we have chosen not to work af the “ratrace” jobs), clearance racks are one of the strategies we use to stretch a dollar, along with thrifting, making things last, and saying no. They make life a bit nicer for our family by allowing us to buy items that we would not have been able to afford otherwise, especially for gifts. So yes, the privilege of browsing the clearance rack is missed, and I refuse to be shamed for that.
Amen sister, I’m there with you.
Amen sister, I’m there with you. Been countin’ down the days waitin for those thrift stores to fling open the doors!
It’s easy to say “nobody is missing material things” if you’re not depending on the sale of those things to make your living, or if you’re unable to obtain the materials or parts that you need to continue your business.
I couldn’t agree more with this statement. Human interaction always trumps stuff and more and more people are realising this. Although I am not from the States – I live in the Netherlands, a small country in Europe – stores here have also reported a significant drop in their sales (online and offline). However, recently the severe lockdown measures have been lifted a bit here and this past weekend the lovely sunny weather has resulted in big(ger) crowds in the shopping streets. Some city’s even had to temporarely close off some streets and shops because it was too busy. I can’t believe this has happened. Note: the Netherlands is a small country in which we live relatively close together. I hope people will get their focus back on what is really important. Stay safe!