Things That Will Not Survive the Recession

I'm thinking I've built this blog post up way too much, and it will just be a disappointment to you all, but here we go.

As the economy worsens, there are just things that aren't going to survive.  I have compiled a small list of things that I feel just aren't going to make it:

1.  Gourmet grocery stores.  I feel very strongly about this.  Mostly because I tend to dislike things that are "gourmet", but also because, seriously, how many of you can afford ridiculously expensive groceries?  I know I can't.  Who even shops here anyway?  I can see going to get the odd delicious item, but in general?  Do people actually go and get their entire groceries for the week here?  I just don't understand it.  Furthermore, the David's Gourmet in downtown Kitchener has already closed down.  They claim it's because of building issues, but I don't believe them. 

Note: also likely to see severe losses are expensive chocolate and pastry shops.  

2.  Ponies.  Now, you know I think ponies as a concept are hilarious.  They are.  Think about it.  And I'm sure as a species ponies will be just fine.  However, are little girls getting ponies for Christmas this year?  Not during a recession, they're not. 

3.  Business cards.  (Sorry Zoey)  These are an expense that can just be cut.

4.  Blu-ray.  Honestly, is anyone converting to blu-ray?  Is it really that special?  Besides, I just switched to DVD!

5.  Plastic wrap.

6.  Playstation.  One gaming system has to go.  I don't foresee it being the Wii or Xbox, so by default, it's Playstation.

7.  80% of the clothing stores in Uptown Waterloo and what I refer to as $100 t-shirt stores.  Who shops at these places?  Tourists?  This city is mostly populated by students and recent grads trying desperately to pay off debt.  I guess in the past, people looked at OSAP like it was free money, but given that the availability of jobs has decreased significantly, this attitude's going to change.  Thus, these stores are collateral.  The main one, to me, is that store next to Kitchener City Hall.  I went in there once, and I swear it was like $550 for a SKIRT.  They have a perpetual "SALE" sign in the window, but even 50% off, it's still insanely expensive.

8.  Spring Break.  Who's going to Cancun in 2010?  No one!

9.  Expensive haircuts.  I'm growing my hair out for this reason.  I just can't factor in $50 for a decent hair cut anymore.

10.  Movie franchise Easter candy (I believe Stefan or Zoey came up with this one).  It's more expensive than the rest, and it's usually pretty cheaply made and not all that special.  Also, let's be honest, the film industry has been in a steady decline for years.  At the Oscars every year they do that "please keep going to the movies" plea.  This frightens me, but then, I rent movies more than anything.

One final note: Has anyone noticed how many places are using the Recession as an advertising tool?  At valu-mart, just as recession talk became really common, we suddenly had this whole No Name brand promo.  Similar promotions have occurred since then.  Amazing.  Part of me wants to believe that this whole recession thing is really just some big media hoax, but maybe that's just wishful thinking.  Oh god, debt scares me.

Love.