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.