We visited an Express store and the empty ghost town clearly showed why the brand is closing 100 stores

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We visited an Express store in Manhattan's Flatiron neighborhood, located on a busy shopping street.

We visited an Express store in Manhattan's Flatiron neighborhood, located on a busy shopping street.
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When we arrived shortly after 1 p.m. on a Thursday, there was hardly a shopper in sight.

When we arrived shortly after 1 p.m. on a Thursday, there was hardly a shopper in sight.
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It was a ghost town.

It was a ghost town.

The women's section was filled with tons of untouched products.

The women's section was filled with tons of untouched products.
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As we browsed, we still didn't see a single shopper.

As we browsed, we still didn't see a single shopper.

Where is everybody?

Where is everybody?
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The men's section was equally as barren.

The men's section was equally as barren.

Next, we made our way to the back of the store, where we saw some distant movement near the register.

Next, we made our way to the back of the store, where we saw some distant movement near the register.
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We also spotted this unused mobile checkout station.

We also spotted this unused mobile checkout station.

On the bottoms of the racks, we spotted tons of untouched accessories.

On the bottoms of the racks, we spotted tons of untouched accessories.
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Eventually, we found one lone shopper scouring the sale racks ...

Eventually, we found one lone shopper scouring the sale racks ...

... which upon closer inspection, were a mess.

... which upon closer inspection, were a mess.
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There were tons of overflowing bins brimming with 50% off apparel.

There were tons of overflowing bins brimming with 50% off apparel.

So many wrinkles.

So many wrinkles.
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Everywhere we looked, the store was just bursting with unsold products.

Everywhere we looked, the store was just bursting with unsold products.

We also saw several promotional signs like this one, which never bodes well.

We also saw several promotional signs like this one, which never bodes well.
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Here was another promotional sign, which also doubled as a plea to sign up for an Express credit card.

Here was another promotional sign, which also doubled as a plea to sign up for an Express credit card.

There was still no one to be found by the dressing rooms.

There was still no one to be found by the dressing rooms.
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As we got closer to the register, we saw a pile of unattended returns.

As we got closer to the register, we saw a pile of unattended returns.

In general, the styles felt fairly uninspired and bland.

In general, the styles felt fairly uninspired and bland.
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As we were leaving, an employee gave us a free trial for the Express Style Trial rental service.

As we were leaving, an employee gave us a free trial for the Express Style Trial rental service.

We already tested this service back in September, and didn't love it.

Ultimately, it wasn't hard to see why Express is on the brink of decline.

Ultimately, it wasn't hard to see why Express is on the brink of decline.
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