Apparently, a retail expert thinks this would be a great idea as it would benefit both companies, as follows:


The former is struggling to stay relevant in an era of online shopping and low-cost fashion. The latter excels in the digital forum, but faces limitations in terms of its physical footprint.

To solve these issues, retail expert Robin Lewis offered what he called a "win-win" solution: Amazon should acquire Sears.

"The acquisition becomes [Amazon CEO Jeff] Bezos' answer to omnichannel and the proven revenue synergy of consumers' ability to shop online and off; the convenience of proximity for pick up and returns; and facilitation of even greater delivery speed," Lewis wrote in his online newsletter, The Robin Report. "So just as Walmart's 4,500 stores double as distribution centers, so would Amazon's acquired Sears/Kmart stores."

Source: http://www.cnbc.com/id/101593168

Dumb. Amazon doesn't need a physical footprint and all of the associated costs and overhead. That's a big part of why it's successful as it is. And why Sears is failing sitting on a bunch of tired old stores and having to maintain a ton of merchandise that doesn't move on the floors just in case somebody wants to come in once every 4 months to buy a 3/4" blue gizmo splicer. And why would I want to have to haul my fat ass to a Walmart-type distribution center when I can sit here in my underwear and have 2-day free Fedex to my door?

If anything Amazon might go with a pop-up store type format with targeted types of products in some particular high-profile/high-traffic areas.

That's why Robin's writing a blog site instead of running a company. And at the same time he's suggesting this he's on CBS talking about how malls are dead.

Yeah, Amazon doesn't have a physical footprint. The products they ship appear out of thin air (possibly via the illegal use of drones!).

If Amazon purchases Sears to integrate with their online business they would need to start charging sales tax in every state where they had a Sears location, even for online purchases.

How much stock does Lewis own in Sears?

I still cant figure out how Sears is still in business. I noticed while online shopping via google they are always significantly more expensive then the most expensive e-tailer.

OP...either you feel this is a WTF-situation or it seems logical...make up your fucking mind!

Robin's a bird brain Wrote:
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> And why Sears is failing sitting on a bunch of
> tired old stores and having to maintain a ton of
> merchandise that doesn't move on the floors just
> in case somebody wants to come in once every 4
> months to buy a 3/4" blue gizmo splicer.

You've just described why Fischers was a success for so long, and why many of us cannot stand Home Depot. Sure you can order it for me, but I can do that myself. If I order it, it will come straight to my house. OTOH if there is a place I know that has the product, I can go there, buy it and use it TODAY.

Writer. Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> OP...either you feel this is a WTF-situation or it
> seems logical...make up your fucking mind!


I've made up my mind. This would he a horrible idea. At best, the mix would be "iffy" and if it were to fail, Amazon would be left holding the bag on a lot of retail properties. I'm not too sure how many retailers are actually looking for large anchor stores (e.g. Sears) that are attached to larger shopping centers. Both are a dying breed. I'd be happy to Amazon stay virtual and keep their current distribution model in place. They've strategically placed their warhouses which has resulted in new jobs being introduced into areas where they are needed.

Keep me on-line and I'll be fine. I hate B&M stores and only go there as a last resort.

Bill.N. Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Robin's a bird brain Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > And why Sears is failing sitting on a bunch of
> > tired old stores and having to maintain a ton
> of
> > merchandise that doesn't move on the floors
> just
> > in case somebody wants to come in once every 4
> > months to buy a 3/4" blue gizmo splicer.
>
> You've just described why Fischers was a success
> for so long, and why many of us cannot stand Home
> Depot. Sure you can order it for me, but I can do
> that myself. If I order it, it will come straight
> to my house. OTOH if there is a place I know that
> has the product, I can go there, buy it and use it
> TODAY.


And today Fischer's is...

It may be convenient but it's not necessarily a good business model. I liked Fischer's a lot but 90% or more of my purchases were exactly as you described - some small little hardware bit that I needed right now that typically cost a couple of bucks. You can't do that when you have larger competitors who can undercut you on the higher-margin stuff, move 50X your volume, and limit stock. Especially when you're paying 15 people to work the floor in a small store like that. I was surprised that they lasted as long as they did.

Amazon can much more easily keep that same obscure stuff and far more around in central locations at far lower cost, order to need, and the vast majority of it you can get it fast enough.

Bottom line here is that there is nothing for Amazon to gain from purchasing Sears or even getting into the B&M space altogether.

In fact, it would be antithetical to their business model since they have almost solely put many B&M retailers out of business. If they want to continue growth they need to stay in spaces where overhead and fixed costs are low and margins are high, and preferably in sectors where they have some sort of advantage over other online players and can squeeze out any remaining B&M operations.

The Sears that I go to now and then usually has an appearence of an abandoned property. There are no customers and if you want to actually buy something you have to go hunt down an employee to take your money.

Not only that, but my parents used to buy only Kenmore appliances and Kenmore is now junk!

What the fuck happened to Sears?

Not my Daddy's Sears Wrote:
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> There are no
> customers and if you want to actually buy
> something you have to go hunt down an employee to
> take your money.




Those stores also have no loss prevention.....just saying.

Robin's a bird brain Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Bill.N. Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Robin's a bird brain Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > And why Sears is failing sitting on a bunch
> of
> > > tired old stores and having to maintain a ton
> > of
> > > merchandise that doesn't move on the floors
> > just
> > > in case somebody wants to come in once every
> 4
> > > months to buy a 3/4" blue gizmo splicer.
> >
> > You've just described why Fischers was a
> success
> > for so long, and why many of us cannot stand
> Home
> > Depot. Sure you can order it for me, but I can
> do
> > that myself. If I order it, it will come
> straight
> > to my house. OTOH if there is a place I know
> that
> > has the product, I can go there, buy it and use
> it
> > TODAY.
>
>
> And today Fischer's is...
>
> It may be convenient but it's not necessarily a
> good business model. I liked Fischer's a lot but
> 90% or more of my purchases were exactly as you
> described - some small little hardware bit that I
> needed right now that typically cost a couple of
> bucks. You can't do that when you have larger
> competitors who can undercut you on the
> higher-margin stuff, move 50X your volume, and
> limit stock. Especially when you're paying 15
> people to work the floor in a small store like
> that. I was surprised that they lasted as long as
> they did.
>
> Amazon can much more easily keep that same obscure
> stuff and far more around in central locations at
> far lower cost, order to need, and the vast
> majority of it you can get it fast enough.

Fischer's, Fischer's, Fischer's...all I hear about is Fischer's, Fischer's, Fischer's.

Look, if "buying local" is as important to you as you claim...because you WANT it today? Then you should be willing to drive a wee bit...am I right? These places still exist but you have to be resourceful and look for them.

I buy all of my hardware store items at Cherrydale Hardware in Arlington and the hardware store on Mt. Vernon Avenue in DelRay. It's ALWAYS worth the trip! Yes, I pay more and it costs me gas but, as you said...when you have to have it today, you have to have it today and until Amazon's drone delivery system is approved, buying local is still the best option.

Huh?? Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> > I buy all of my hardware store items at Cherrydale
> Hardware in Arlington and the hardware store on
> Mt. Vernon Avenue in DelRay. It's ALWAYS worth the
> trip! Yes, I pay more and it costs me gas but, as
> you said...when you have to have it today, you
> have to have it today and until Amazon's drone
> delivery system is approved, buying local is still
> the best option.

I wouldnt call it the "best" option, just another option. How often do you need something today? I can understand hardware and repair parts, but I cant think of many other things I have to have immediately. Most things, I prefer to save a few bucks and get it in 2 days with Amazon Plus.