Shopping Anyone?

Welcome to the most insane shopping experience of my life. In the background of the picture above is El Corte Inglés, the Ultimate Shopping Experience (USE).

USE is the result of a massive Spanish affair between Dillard´s, Macy´s, JC Penney´s, Wal-Mart SuperCenter, Academy Sports, Pottery Barn, Border´s Books, and Target, with a little bit of Best Buy thrown in for good measure. Again, USE is the result of this debacle. I could go on for days about this place. There are two sides as seen in the picture above. First, there is Hipercor, which is basically like a Wal-Mart SuperCenter, but with very Target-y features. It has everything the Spanish MaMa could EVER need for taking care of the household (No, that was not a sexist comment. The MaMa takes care of the house here in España, promise). From groceries to cleaning supplies to medicine, esta perfecto!

I do not think that I am communicating to you the monstosity that is this place. Five stories of non-stop shopping action! Now, onto the OTHER side of the USE. This is the most hardcore department store, wow. Think of Tiger Woods, Roger Federer, OJ Simpson (the running back not the murderer), all pale in comparison to the Dillard´s on steroids. Oh, basically think of Barry Bonds. Now we´re cookin´with propane! Floors of Men´s clothing, Women´s clothing, under garments, accessories, shoes, sportswear, camping stuff, furniture, books, electronics, kid´s and baby apparel, EVERYTHING!!

Since I have mentioned both sides, I will not forget to leave out the middle. There is a full service bar, complete with tapas and hard alcohol for all those PaPa´s that don´t want to follow MaMa around with little screaming Sergio during their visit. Wow, this is a shopper´s Mecca.

So why don´t we see any of these in the States? I have a two guesses...

1. Steroids are illegal. Now I know that MLB is exempt from that rule, but the shopping industry is not and El Corte Inglés would definitely be taken before Congress. It´s not like we are engaged in a war right now, they have the free time.

2. This is a destination store. It literally has everything. I just don´t see that working in America. We pride ourselves on going all over town from specialty store to specialty store. How many of you like fighting mall traffic. Survey says: 0. Exacltly, I don´t think that those Americans that just need bread and milk will want to fight THAT lady in the Lexus that is going to get the new D&G bag (yeah, they have high end stuff. Sick.) while smoking her extra long Virginia Slim.

The reason this IS so appealing (in my opinion) here in Spain is because they CAN get everything in one stop. We had 12 people get off the bus with us at the USE stop. Since public transit is so huge-and costs money-why not make it where you can get everything in one spot? So if USE can make it, why not Wal-Mart? This is an excellant question that I do not think there is a simple answer to. I am sure if Wal-Mart explored the avenue of a joint-venture with someone that could create a USE atmosphere, they would be...

But really, who would ever think you could buy household products where the sell a 1000€ suit? Welcome to Spain!!