Posted on 12/27/2012 8:46:58 AM PST by MinorityRepublican
While 2013 will be a tough year for retailers due to the tepid economic recovery, a few in particular face a critical 12 months. Their experiences highlight the challenges facing store chains, from increasingly cautious consumers to fierce online competition.
These unlucky retailers are going into the New Year with extra woes: slipping sales, questionable strategies and tight finances—which is why they are the ones to watch, and not in a good way.
Best Buy Co. BBY -1.22% has been plagued by the retail phenomenon called "showrooming," where shoppers examine products in its stores but buy online through rivals. A quarter of shoppers who said they had showroomed had done so at Best Buy, according to a recent Harris Poll, so analysts will be watching to see if it can capture more of those sales on its own website.
J.C. Penney Co. JCP -4.48% has been trying to ditch its image as an old-fashioned department store where Middle America went seeking bargains. But its rapid and radical makeover has left it burning through cash and struggling to attract shoppers, leading to questions about how long the company can afford to stick to its new strategy.
RadioShack Corp.'s RSH -5.29% bet on mobile phones and tablets has backfired. It has sold more of these low-margin devices but is making less money than it did retailing old standards like cameras and computers. Though it staved off a cash crunch earlier this year by suspending its dividend, mounting losses cloud its future.
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
“The “Craftsman” (which I call CRAPMAN) guarantee is only good for hand-tools, specifically those without motors (gas or electric) and those that do not require electricity.”
Yes, I am aware of that. I should have said, “Hand Tools” instead of only “Tools”.
While I wouldn't call myself a "fan," I absolutely prefer Lowes far more than Home Depot. My local Lowes is actually right next to a Home Depot. I rarely ever go into the Home Depot, preferring to shop at Lowes instead. I can actually FIND stuff at Lowes that I'm looking for. Not so at Home Depot.
Home Depot's approach of organizing their merchandise by "projects" might be OK if you're a noob with no materials or tools off to do some major home improvement effort, or if you're doing a major project that just happens to match one they organize around. But if you are just going to the hardware store to find a part to fix something around the house, find a replacement or specialized tool, or just look around, then Home Depot is crap (IMHO). I can never find a thing there.
Because that's not the real reason Penney's is down. You think they're the only company marketing to gays?
So what are you waiting for? Completely break it already!
I was on a Construction job in the 70s, where three of us stood on the 9 foot cheater pipe and shattered a 3/4 inch ratchet trying to get a bolt off of a D-9 (I was the 'little' guy at 220 lbs.). The boss scooped up the pieces, took them to Charlottesville and was handed a new ratchet, no questions.
the Deadest Dead Mall in America closes for good a week from Sunday.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZwu3uixCjo
Irish.
lololol
See post 45. Another Irish weighed in on that grudge holding thing in post 45.
lolol
Time for some Irish jokes....
http://www.yuksrus.com/ethnic_irish.html
How to describe Irish Alzheimers:
You forget everything but the grudges!
” Best Buy Co. BBY -1.22% has been plagued by the retail phenomenon called “showrooming,”...”
So, it’s OK to shroom at Best Buy?
I’ve never had a problem at our Best Buy, either purchasing or returning for repair (a heavily used and then dropped laptop that was close to being off the warranty). They do have too many people working the floor. You can’t walk five feet without a different salesperson asking if you’ve been helped.
As the father of a WSJ reporter, I would just add that their reporters are also the best looking in the business.
I'd also like to say a good word for Best Buy. We purchased a Sony TV from them four years ago and got the extended warranty that covered the TV for 48 months. In month 47 the set inexplicably died. Best Buy replaced it no questions asked. They were extremely pleasant and easy to deal with.
I'm the opposite. I don't want to be asked 10 times as I walk through the store if someone can help me. "No thanks. Did I mistakenly put on a skirt this morning?"
I'm the opposite. I don't want to be asked 10 times as I walk through the store if someone can help me. "No thanks. Did I mistakenly put on a skirt this morning?"
Still, I guess the Sears brand is no worse than what everybody else sells. Great marketing slogan, eh?
Sears at Citrus Park Mall still replaces hand tools, or did last time I needed it (a year or two?).
The one at Countryside mall is the closest to me. They turned me away for two combo wrenches and a handful of drill bits. I, admittedly, go through drill bits pretty quick.
I no longer buy ANYTHING from Sears. They can shove everything they sell, including their CRAPMAN tools.
I purchased a TV on Amazon for Christmas a few years ago. The TV was “on sale” at Best Buy for $3200. It was “on sale” on Amazon for $2000 plus free Blue Ray player and free shipping (not to mention no tax.) They got it to me in a crate in 2 days. It came with a number to call for pickup for free return shipping if any problems. Since I despise Best Buy, it was a no-brainer for my particular purchase.
Yeah the son killed Service Merchandise...
Whenever they ask for my zip code, I tell them "90210" (old TV show) or "20500" (White House zip code).
LOL.
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