LifeWay Christian Store, other popular shopping retailers shut down shops in Jacksonville

National retail chains are closing their stores across the country to compete on a digit platform with online shopping.

LifeWay Christian Store is the latest retailer to close all 170 stores and put all of their sales online only, including to two locations in Northeast Florida.

The store manager at the St. Johns Town Center location, Michael Floid, told Action News Jax employees were notified in January.

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“It’s disappointing in a sense where you have a Christian book store where they can find resources and Bibles and those types of things," Floid said. “Just the things we’re able to do in the community and help the community out, we won’t be able to do that in our store.”

Floid said it is has worked to find his employees new jobs, including himself. The store will shut its doors by the end of the year.

“In these types of situations we look to our faith and hold onto our faith,” Floid said.

A report from Coresight stated more than 4,800 store closures have been announced by retailers so far this year.

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Other retail employees told Action News Jax they are concerned for their jobs.

“Online, they’re taking the risk of the size difference,” employee Williams said. “Everything is still the same as far as the clothing and different items. But it’s actually putting your hands on it, seeing it and trying it on versus having to wait for it to be shipped in.”

Most shoppers told Action News Jax they prefer online shopping because of the convenience.

“Everything is right there,” shopper Khana Hamilton said. “I can see something that I want right away, I don’t have to go into the store and thumb and look and search. It’s about time at the end of the day.”

As the online shopping trends continues to attract sales, more national retails are changing their digital platform. Floid predicted more brick-and-mortar stores will close in the future.

Action News Jax Reporter Elizabeth Pace asked viewers on Twitter for their preference when shopping. A majority of those who voted said they prefer online shopping, while 43% percent said they prefer brick-and-mortar shores.

“Really I think what’s happening is you’re having an integration between technology and brick and mortar,” Floid said. “The brick and mortar stores that will survive are those stores that can leverage the technology with their brick and mortar stores.”

Cox Media Group