The "Retail Apocalypse" Isn't as Widespread as You Might Think

Last week, in one fell swoop, Credit Suisse downgraded Macy's (NYSE: M), Gap (NYSE: GPS), and L Brands (NYSE: LB), the parent company to Victoria's Secret. The research arm of the investment bank is concerned that each company's sales trend could continue to deteriorate, particularly given this year's shortened holiday-shopping time frame.

It's yet another layer of evidence that the so-called "retail apocalypse" is still in full swing. And perhaps it is.

A closer look at the data, however, reveals the retailing world's current misery is actually fairly focused on one particular area. The common thread among the 16 retail bankruptcies already filed this year is ... thread. Of the 16 companies, 10 sold clothing. Of the 28 retailers that industry publication Retail Dive believes are at risk of filing for bankruptcy next year, half are apparel venues.

Source Fool.com