Joined: 29 Aug 2006
Posts: 78
| Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2007 7:30 pm Post subject: Just blame "W" | |
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This current crisis in the housing market and mortgages came just a the right time for sears managers to take advantage. Now intead of having to take the heat for poor performance when their methods didn't work they can blame George Bush like everone else! It will be a big relief for everyone. Instead of blaming the sales associate for not asking the correct discovery question, blame W. Instead of blaming the TIHT inventory, blame W. Instead of critisizing someone for not asking the May I question, blame the President. Instead of admitting that these next day promissed deliverys do not exist in "most larger Stores" just blame George. Instead of "observing" what an associate must have done wrong, you guessed it, just blame W!
This is even better than high unemployment. The managers in this area that has a high unemployment have run that one into the ground for 10 years now--but Lowes seems to be fine and indeed has even moved to a larger store in the last decade. But a slump in housing will cause a lot of forgivenss for sales losses for awhile now while the great minds come up with the next great plan that won't work. Oh and of course it goes without saying who can take the heat for the unemployment. |
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Joined: 08 Jul 2003
Posts: 6045
| Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2007 7:41 pm Post subject: W for weather | |
| Actually most retailers like to blame poor WEATHER but the problem is everybody is under the same conditions.If it's raining at your location it's probably raining at the Lowes across the street or at the Pennys at the opposite end of the mall.What's the excuse again? | |
Joined: 26 Aug 2005
Posts: 1700
| Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2007 7:41 pm Post subject: | |
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Of all people, you may be surprised to know that I can't/don't blame good 'ole Georgie for Sears' ills.
Strong companies can prosper in difficult economic times. Companies with no real plan, will make excuses. And we know that Al has already laid out many... excuses. It's the associate's fault... strong competition... the economy is failing... blah blah blah. No, it's not George's fault. Lampert owns it all. |
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Joined: 15 Oct 2007
Posts: 28
Location: California
| Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2007 8:34 pm Post subject: | |
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Of all people, you may be surprised to know that I can't/don't blame good 'ole Georgie for Sears' ills.
Strong companies can prosper in difficult economic times. *********************************************** I agree. But, I also think the housing crunch doesn't help. I live in a low income area. These people with skyrocketing mortgages aren't worrying about a new appliance. Houses aren't selling, so new apps aren't being bought. Too many people are making do with what they have. |
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Joined: 06 Jul 2003
Posts: 234
Location: Greenville, North Carolina
| Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2007 9:51 pm Post subject: | |
| I went to shop at the new Kohl's, right across the parking lot from the old Sears, and the number of cars parked outside Sears: 3 and Kohls: Lot 75% full. George didn't cause that! | |
Joined: 21 Mar 2006
Posts: 87
| Posted: Sat Oct 20, 2007 3:28 am Post subject: | |
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Gah, the Kohls' stores here look more outdated than my Sears location, and they're brand new!
I don't see why anyone shops at Kohls' except for the big sales? We are cheaper than they are on alot of merchandise. -This has been my Pro-Sears thought of the day, stay tuned for tomorrow's!  -
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Joined: 26 Aug 2005
Posts: 1700
| Posted: Sat Oct 20, 2007 12:55 pm Post subject: | |||
No, it doesn't. That's where planning comes in - and adjusting your business to survive. But when you have a crew that doesn't understand retail even in prosperous times, don't expect them to know what to do when the bottom falls out. Eddie's profit margin has been propped-up by PA's. Reduced appliance sales not only means a sales drop... but a big drop in his infamous profit. He'll take a double whammy hit, don'tcha see? Besides, interesting to watch are those companies such as HD and Lowes. Those two are much more vulnerable to a drop in the housing market. We'll see, won't we, who can sink or swim. |
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Joined: 08 Jul 2003
Posts: 6045
| Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2007 3:26 pm Post subject: housing crunch | |
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You got it mags,where planning and adjusting your business.
But when you want cookie cutter production line style profit all the time YOU LOOSE.Just think of all the small stuff or non-PAable merchandise Sears discontinued selling over the years like fasteners,plumbing and HI products in store and not just installed.It cost customers then and it will cost them now. And if HI is doing poorly this is where softlines can pick-up the slack,or even selling single hand tools rather than sets and/or PAable power tools a customer doesn't need.Uh-oh;that means you need a concientious & knowledgeable sales associates like LK who can do more than pitch a PA. And watching Home Depot and Lowes will be interesting,I think HD will be the first to 'fall':they over built too fast which even drew comments from experts during the 'boom'.By luck sick sig Nardelli built a lot of stores during a boom and looked good but NOW you get to see his legacy.Nardelli wound up purging HD of a experienced work force just as Lacy did at Sears.But the HDs and Lowes sell all of those pesky accessories and materials needed for rountine projects and not just the PAable tools to complete them.Gee,a reason to come into the store,again and again and NOT at Sears. |
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