Aug. 16--It's getting a bit challenging to keep up with all the upset that exists in the world of retail.

And upset is putting it mildly.

Allow me to name just a few of the retailers that have, over the past several months, announced or embarked on closing many of their least successful stores: Charming Shoppes (which owns Fashion Bug, Lane Bryant and Catherine's), Kirkland's, Disney Stores, Foot Locker, Pier 1, Home Depot and Linens 'n Things.

It's not unusual for retailers to close under-performing stores in any given year -- but something on this scale is not normal.

Executives with CBL & Associates, the owner of Cross Creek Mall, told investment analysts last week that they are watching specific retailers closely and have leasing teams standing at the ready should any more space suddenly become vacant in any of their malls.

Now, there's no guarantee that this will hold. But so far, it looks as if Fayetteville has escaped most of the closing lists that I've mentioned above.

Some recent chops have hit the city. For instance, when Wilson's Leather closed most of its stores this year, it did keep a few to convert to a new concept. But the retailer didn't want to try that here.

The latest company to announce it would be closing 26 stores was Tween Brands Inc.

The bigger news with those guys, though, is that Tween Brands is turning all of its Limited Too stores in this country to its lower-priced brand. That's called Justice, which is doing better in today's economy. Tween Brands will be looking to see if about 90 mall stores might do better in a space outside of malls.

A spokeswoman for Tween Brands said Thursday that no decisions have been made about which stores will end up on the list of 26 or 90.

I'm no expert, but I'd be shocked to see Fayetteville's store end up on that first list.

Sure, it often feels as if this market is always the last one to catch retailers' attention.

But it also seems as if we're one of the last markets to lose them once they get here.

Easier than walking

A news release arrived in my inbox Friday from Cross Creek Mall and NearbyNow.

"What's NearbyNow?" I wondered.

Apparently, it's an online service that allows you to see which stores carry a specific item you're looking for.

On the site (www.nearbynow.com) you can search 200 malls, including Cross Creek, which has been part of the service since September.

You type in the item, and the Web site pulls up stores that carry it with the prices.

Wonder whether that item is in stock? Click a button.