Joined: 08 Jul 2003
Posts: 1
| Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2003 4:46 am Post subject: The way I see it.... | |
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One of the most important rules of business is to Know your Role. In that aspect, Sears has an identity crisis. In short, they are an "Old Time" business. They have overhead of 100+ years of being in business, retired employees, old (less desirable) locations, etc etc. If anyone really looked at this big picture, they would see that the ideal positioning for sears should have been to go "upscale"... concentrating on attracting the higher end (and higher profit margin) shopper. This was evident even back in the 80's. Instead, we have had 20 years of band-aid toting CEOs pinching pennies to make it look like things were improving, all the while running the driving the business into a corner. WHY try to compete with companies whose cost structures allow them to sell low margin items at an actual PROFIT, while we lose money on all of those crap Sylvania tv's. WHY cater to the low end customer??? Fingerhut had the same idea... where are they now??
It's not too late for Sears. It will take committment and BALLS to do it. But, their credit card business has provided them with enough cash flow to make the necessary changes... Oh wait they're getting rid of that too... My bad. Sorry Sears. |
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Joined: 08 Jul 2003
Posts: 41
| Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2003 4:56 am Post subject: | |
| I think you're right, Mike. Lets take it a step further though. Lets look at Wal-Mart. There is no such thing as a Wal-Mart remodel! When the format no longer works, they build a new one from scratch. This philosophy has allowed them to keep up with technology, always have the space they need, and look new! Wow, no wonder they're taking over the world! | |
Joined: 06 Jul 2003
Posts: 933
Location: I would tell you, but than I would have to kill you!
| Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2003 1:52 am Post subject: | |
Let me put my spin on this... Sears has lost there ninch . They are not sure who or what they are. Your right Mike Sears in having an identity crisis. If over the years, they had just stuck with what they have known, Retail, nothing else, and better themselves with just retail, we would not be in the pickle we are today. However, Sears tried to compete with the Big boys and lost. Now they are trying to get there footing back before they fall further into the hole. Most of the Sears demise is caused by greed. Sears was once a Co. that cared about it's associates, cause where would they be without us,and cared about the customer, also without them we don't have a job. Something was lost over the years and that is what is hurting them today. I hope Sears makes it, The Co. as a whole has been good, it's just my store that sucks. When the caring can be put back in, Sears will see a turnaround.Not only that, they decided what customer base they want to go after. Walmart attracts most people cause of cost. Target, because of cost and convience and some brand names. Sears, has there name, but if they keep it up, the Sears name is not goint to mean anything. Hope I did not ramble to much! 
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