# In a radio interview, Professor Thomaï Serdari highlights the challenges luxury retailers face in today's landscape

1 Faculty News August 27, 2019 ![Knowledge at Wharton logo ](/sites/default/files/styles/246w/public/assets/images/knowledgeatwharton192x144.jpg?itok=L--sWOiV)>

Excerpt from [Knowledge@Wharton](https://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article/barneys-bankruptcy/) -- "The key here is the desirability of the location, which is true -- it's still very much alive and it creates a lot of competition amongst retailers to get to these highly desirable spots that, in turn, drive the rent high up. But the issue here is the marketing strategy that a lot of these retailers are applying... The gap is between having foot traffic and having activations that actually convert the desirability to purchases. I think this is where a lot of these retailers miss out and this is why we see such a high turnover even on Madison Avenue."

[Listen here](https://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article/barneys-bankruptcy/)