I predict Sears is going under

[mbogosia]

I was at Ace Hardware and the guy told me that they just signed a contract to sell Craftsman tools. I told my wife and she told me the Sears is closing in her hometown. I think they are going under. Anyone know anything?

 

[mbogosia]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-0221-sears--20100221,0,3760604.story

 

[mrmikey32]

i dont see them going under. they are closing 13 kmarts and 8 sears locations, and now selling there tools in other stores. why? convince. its whats killed them in the first place

 

[UNCC_99XJ]

Going under? Probably not. More than likely just consolidating some of their stores and expanding one of their main lines to other stores in an effort to make more profit.

 

[5-90]

Kinda hard to go under if you're diversifying - OSH (local hardware chain) has been selling Craftsman tools for the last few years.

However, I find the idea of selling to Wal-Mart worrisome - ever see the story about how Snapper finally had to refuse to sell to Wal-Mart? They wanted a drop in quality to meet an artificially low price point (Sam Walton must be getting awfully dizzy by now...)

Selling to Costco makes sense - they're a warehouse store that tries to keep good stuff on stock. I've seen in the last year where they've also started carrying some Snap-On stuff that would be useful to the homeowner and small business, and their "house brand" (Kirkland) is usually quite good.

 

[ChiXJeff]

I've wanted to shake the hand of Snapper's CEO for years now. That took some real guts to tell Walmart "No, we're done doing business."

Fastenal sold Craftsman for a while. I stopped in last fall to pick up a couple of drill bits and a bundle of leather gloves to see the closeout notice. The guy behind the counter said something about Danaher Tool, but I really don't remember exactly what now.

But it really doesn't make sense to close Sears completely. It very much makes sense to close underperforming outlets.

 

[YJ-GENRAL]

we had three in our area, one in cleveland, one in hamilton place mall, and one near the rave theater on its own called the home store (sold mostly home product with a small tool section. the last one has been closed down for about a year now... but with a HUGE sears in the main mall and oen in the cleveland mall i would think that would be enough...consolidation not going under. makes sense right now.

 

[trail rate this]

The store in Columbia, TN is closing.

 

[mbogosia]

They are dundies like my undies.

 

[RenegadeStang]

Ace Hardware's have been closing left and right in the ATL area, FWIW. I don't see Sears going anywhere.

 

[Shorty]

...marking the first time a retailer other than Sears, and more recently its sister division Kmart, has sold the 83-year-old brand...

how quickly they forget-- Western Auto Supply Co. sold Craftsman tools (all lines) for 11 years before Sears sold W.A., Parts America, and National Tire and Battery in the late 90's. The liquidation of all that inventory has served me well for over a decade, now....

 

[KPTHEMP]

Hey Matt, I predict you regret making this thread, lol

 

[mbogosia]

I didn't say when. It could be 5,10, 20 years before they finally close.

 

[trail rate this]

The sears tower has been renamed to the Willis Tower by a Canadian Insurance Co.

 

[MELKORsXJ]

The sears tower has been renamed to the Willis Tower by a Canadian Insurance Co.

You mean Willys?
:dunno: