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Vic Smith

On Sun, 23 Nov 2008 12:50:32 -0500, wrote:

On Sat, 22 Nov 2008 16:04:09 -0600, Vic Smith
wrote:

Heard some "news" financial yakkers suggesting that's what will happen
after the Holidays, which don't look good for sales.
That would be a shame.
Don't go often except for appliances and tools, but I sure would miss
it.

--Vic

Sears would be well served by going to an internet only model and
using the Kmart locations for their brick and mortar store and
discount operation. Most of the Sears stores are in very expensive
mall properties. They could shed that cost.
Appliances are just Whirlpool anyway but some people do take comfort
from the Kenmore label. There is no reason why they couldn't be sold
over the net too. Sears did have a certain reputation for quality and
they should build on that.
Be a known quantity in the wild and wooly internet world.
In a 21st century way that would be returning to their roots.

In the last 5 years I've bought the following at Sears:
Kenmore Fridge
Large capacity GE clothes washer
Craftman/Honda lawn mower.
Craftsman weed whacker
Some toolboxes (HD plastic)

Not that that means anything.
But some things we'll only buy if we see them in person.
There's a huge appliance store (ABT) near me, but we ended buying the
washer from Sears because it was the one my wife liked after looking
at the controls and basket. It was her hands on decision on the
Fridge too.
Couldn't find that mower anywhere else, and the price was good.
Same with the weed whacker - the shaft rotates 180 and I edge with it
too.
Happened to see the toolboxes on sale when I was looking at mower.
I naturally go to Sears for most hand tools. Just me.
But for fasteners I'll go to Ace or Home Depot.
Sears could probably get that business, but they'd have to dedicate
floor space to it.
Maybe I'll be after fasteners at Ace or HD and see a power tool or
tool bits and "suddenly decide I NEED THIS" and pick them up there.
Retailing is complicated as hell.
But my wife doesn't like Sears, and hardly ever goes there.
So they have "female" problems too.
Maybe the multi-story layout and generally cramped look.
They have some kind of perception/display problem.
Maybe some pricing issues.
But the tool/garden section is well done in Sears stores I've been in.
Easier to browse than most other stores I've been in.
Glad I'm not in charge of turning Sears around.

--Vic