Posted on 07/01/2007 3:19:55 AM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
CHICAGO, June 29 (UPI) -- In a bold move to jump-start years of declining sales, Sears is reportedly placing some free-standing stores inside some K-Mart facilities. The discount chain is renting about 7,000 square feet inside existing Kmarts to Sears dealers in four towns -- Claremont, N.H.; Freedom, Calif.; Pell City, Ala.; and Zephyrhills, Fla. The dealers sell hardware, appliances, lawn equipment and some consumer electronics, the Chicago Tribune reported.
Some observers see it as another step toward an expected merger.
During the past year, Sears Holdings Corp. has been moving its best Sears brands into Kmart in an effort to reach more shoppers and rekindle sales.
Craftsman tools and DieHard batteries are on Kmart shelves and one out of every 10 Kmart stores now sell Kenmore appliances.
It’s taken a while, but Sears stock is finally starting to move. $100 down $16 today.
You can? Walk into Home Depot and ask to buy a Kenmore W&D. See what they say.
Oh, I don't know. Not everyone wants to pay $50 for a wrench set. There are plenty of people who only want to own tools for the occasion--once or twice a year, maybe--that they have to fix something. Those people probably don't want to invest the small fortune it would take to outfit their tool set in only Craftsman tools. Sears recognizes this and instead of those folks going to Wal-Mart to buy cheaper tools, Sears hopes they'll buy the Companion brand.
I inherited a K-Mart brand impact wrench. It’s gotta be 30+ years old and still works fine.
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