The expansion of chain stores across New York City slowed in the last year, according to the Center for an Urban Future’s sixth annual “State of the Chains” report. There was only a 0.5 percent increase in the number of chains in New York between 2012 and 2013.
That’s the smallest increase since the Center for an Urban Future started compiling these stats in 2008. This, despite Dunkin’ Donuts becoming the first retailer to open more than 500 stores in the five boroughs. Think Starbucks is everywhere? It lags behind with only 283 stores, though it did add 11 in Manhattan last year.
Two boroughs, Manhattan and Queens, saw a decline in chain stores over the last year. Manhattan’s closures, a small drop from 2,799 stores to 2,779, mostly occurred near South Street Seaport and are largely believed to have been displaced because of Hurricane Sandy and the Pier 17 Pavilion, which is primed for a massive redevelopment. Brooklyn felt the largest increase of the five boroughs, with a 2.8 percent uptick in chain stores.
There are 15 chains in New York with at least 100 stores, ranging from GNC to Baskin-Robbins to Payless ShoeSource. But 7-Eleven, which New York Magazine highlighted as a serious threat to bodegas in 2012, continues it ascent. The Slurpee baron is up to 124 stores from 97 last year, and has grown from only 59 stores in 2009. You can see where the top 10 retailers added stores in the chart below.
Believe it or not, one of those New York Times trend stories is actually somewhat right: More people are eating chopped salads for lunch. Just Salad, the chain that, as its name suggests, serves salad, experienced the largest percentage growth last year, nearly doubling its number of stores from six to 11. Chop’t, another overpriced salad spot, was fourth on the list of growth, jumping from eight stores to 11.
The lesson here? If you’re going to spend $13.50 on salad, at least get it from the local deli in Midtown instead of the chain.
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Bill Bradley is a writer and reporter living in Brooklyn. His work has appeared in Deadspin, GQ, and Vanity Fair, among others.
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