Future.
Vegas is changing. Again.
As referenced in the previous post, Vegas seems to be again looking to re-define it's public face. From the OG "Wild Wild West" period pre-Strip, to the Mob era, to the Family-fication period in the 90's to today's apparently waning "What Happens In Vegas..." phase the Strip has always aggressively marketed itself to a certain demographic. Outlaws, drifters, families, High Rollers, Britney fucking Spears, you name it, Vegas has pandered to it.
That makes the current trend toward upscale retail a little confusing. Almost all the modern Strip casinos either have now, will soon open or are planning big, multi-level, mainly upscale retail shopping areas. NYNY/Monte Carlo, the Trop, Linq and others will join established retail players Caesar's, Mandalay, Crystals, Miracle Mile, etc.
So...what's the demo the Powers That Be are going for here? 30-something female ad executives? Metro-sexual trust fund bros? I mean, I'm by no means poor, but when I walk through the Crystals (not by choice, you almost have to to get from Monte Carlo to Cosmo) there is literally NOTHING in the entire place I can afford. Nothing. Not even a key chain (kidding, of course, people who shop there don't need key chains, they having fucking limo drivers).
I'll be honest, what attracted me to Vegas was the sense of potential naughty fun and mild adventure that the "What Happens" ads fostered. They were fucking effective ads, it made the town seem like the place that you could come for a few days and who knows what you might get into. Now...what, are they targeting the stupid rich? Compulsive shoppers? When I come to town the shops by and large are something I'm forced to navigate through to get where I really want to go (bars and casinos).
I realize that the resort companies are seeing high-end retail as yet another way of parting affluent people from their cash, but I hope they don't totally forget the Low Rollers like us who come to Vegas to blow off some steam, acquire some excellent hangovers (and the stories behind them), and throw half a month's salary into the slots.
Because honestly, Vegas, a lot of us wouldn't know Versace from Old Navy. Remember that.
As referenced in the previous post, Vegas seems to be again looking to re-define it's public face. From the OG "Wild Wild West" period pre-Strip, to the Mob era, to the Family-fication period in the 90's to today's apparently waning "What Happens In Vegas..." phase the Strip has always aggressively marketed itself to a certain demographic. Outlaws, drifters, families, High Rollers, Britney fucking Spears, you name it, Vegas has pandered to it.
That makes the current trend toward upscale retail a little confusing. Almost all the modern Strip casinos either have now, will soon open or are planning big, multi-level, mainly upscale retail shopping areas. NYNY/Monte Carlo, the Trop, Linq and others will join established retail players Caesar's, Mandalay, Crystals, Miracle Mile, etc.
So...what's the demo the Powers That Be are going for here? 30-something female ad executives? Metro-sexual trust fund bros? I mean, I'm by no means poor, but when I walk through the Crystals (not by choice, you almost have to to get from Monte Carlo to Cosmo) there is literally NOTHING in the entire place I can afford. Nothing. Not even a key chain (kidding, of course, people who shop there don't need key chains, they having fucking limo drivers).
I'll be honest, what attracted me to Vegas was the sense of potential naughty fun and mild adventure that the "What Happens" ads fostered. They were fucking effective ads, it made the town seem like the place that you could come for a few days and who knows what you might get into. Now...what, are they targeting the stupid rich? Compulsive shoppers? When I come to town the shops by and large are something I'm forced to navigate through to get where I really want to go (bars and casinos).
I realize that the resort companies are seeing high-end retail as yet another way of parting affluent people from their cash, but I hope they don't totally forget the Low Rollers like us who come to Vegas to blow off some steam, acquire some excellent hangovers (and the stories behind them), and throw half a month's salary into the slots.
Because honestly, Vegas, a lot of us wouldn't know Versace from Old Navy. Remember that.
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