Yet More Sears/KMart Closings (announced 7 Nov 2019)

[Dashinka 24,628]

1 hour ago, Steeleballz said:

 

    Too many of them were like that. The other knock for me personally was you could go to two different KMarts and it was like going to  completely different chains. No consistency in the layout, in the products or in the store policies. You could grab a set of name brand tools at one location and the other wouldn't even stock that brand. One would be stocked and the other could have shelves half empty.

 

   I think the overall idea was to combine dollar store with department store. That wasn't a bad idea, but KMART took too much of the dollar store approach. That's probably what let Walmart in and eventually took over that segment of the consumer base. I don't care for Walmart much either, but the one near us is not too bad. If I need anything in a pinch, I will go there. If there's one thing to be learned from Amazon, it's that people want things easier and more convenient. KMART did the opposite. For the last 15 years, going to KMART was as likely as not to need a second stop at a different department store to get the items that KMART didn't have.

You seem to be describing Costco.

[Steeleballz 7,550]

16 minutes ago, Bill & Katya said:

You seem to be describing Costco.

 

   Probably. Haven't been to a Costco in 20+ years. Cheap hot dogs and bulk canned food are not really my thing.

[Nature Boy 2.0 8,376]

If Kmart gave out of a product it was out for a long time. Plus what Steelbalz about random products. 

 

Sam Walton revolutionized Supply Chain logistics. He also built a foundation on customer service,  although that faded and low prices were the draw.

 

I ran a plant that did business with Sams/Walmart. They were actually very easy to do busines with . I have been in a couple of Walmart DC's. Things of wonder.

 

Home Depot was hard to deal with and supply chain poorly ran.  They only added DCs about 10 years ago or so.

[TBoneTX 45,571]

21 hours ago, Neonred said:

Three KMarts in the FL Keys.  Key Largo, Marathon, and Key West.  When you come down I'll take you on the grand KMart tour.

Thought of that.  Wonder when entire chain will be shut down, versus this "death by a thousand cuts" stuff.

Montgomery Ward was rather on to something, closing all theirs at once.

[TBoneTX 45,571]

18 hours ago, OriZ said:

Sears just now

Two of the remaining 4 in Houston are going out at this time.

Superb opportunity to score deals.

[TBoneTX 45,571]

16 hours ago, Bill & Katya said:

The blue flashing light.

Years ago, this was adequately high-tech, and not a bad way to draw shoppers to various areas of the store.

14 hours ago, Steeleballz said:

Cheap hot dogs

Music to the ears...

[OriZ 3,157]

5 hours ago, TBoneTX said:

Two of the remaining 4 in Houston are going out at this time.

Superb opportunity to score deals.

Yup. I think we figured out our $80 bag would have been worth around $450 any other time.

[TBoneTX 45,571]

18 hours ago, OriZ said:

our $80 bag would have been worth around $450

A key strategy is to see what's on highest-percentage markdown.  However, waiting too long can risk the sellout of that item or category before one has a chance to partake in the bounty.

 

I really do need to find a way down to McAllen because (none of the multiple puns intended) I need a sense of closure.