Jason Statham made his fortune as a top movie action hero several head-butts ago: His pictures have made well over $1 billion. But the British actor keenly remembers when being a well-paid tough guy meant selling jewelry and perfume out of a briefcase on the street.
The idea of the in-store shop has evolved from getting space on the department store's floor and sharing marketing costs to a more formal relationship where brands lease floor space and create a shopping experience of their own. It can be a retailing win-win.
With the prospects for economic recovery iffy at best and consumer spending still sluggish, retailers are closing their weakest stores in order to protect profits.