Another store bites the dust (Page 9): How Sears Lost the American Shopper It once dominated retailing—an oral history of its undoing from executives and employees who lived it...

henryp Loc: New York, NY

LWW wrote:

SEARS put SEARS out of business.

How Sears Lost the American Shopper
It once dominated retailing—an oral history of its undoing from executives and employees who lived it
https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-sears-lost-the-american-shopper-11552647601

henryp Loc: New York, NY

AndyH wrote:

The brick and mortar stores that survive are the ones who innovate, adding service aspects that can't be replicated on line. All three of those little businesses I cited are doing well in our relatively rural area because they added service-oriented lines of business. That's the wave that will roll back some of the online tide. If I owned a small retail business, I'd be thinking full time about what I could do that simply couldn't be duplicated at a big box retailer or online business.

From 2008:
Gluskin’s camera store to close in 30 to 90 days
https://www.recordnet.com/article/20080117/A_BIZ/801170302

Gluskin said he stayed open two years longer than made sense “because of my pride.”
He said he thought hard work and being the place everyone wanted to go to for customer service and expertise could make up for the market shifts.
“I was wrong,” he said.
Times have been hard for independent photo stores in recent years.

henryp Loc: New York, NY

Scruples wrote:

I pick up a few customer candies from a glass dish.
I pick up some more candies from a glass dish.
I pick up some more candies.
I pick up some more candies.
I'll munch some more candies and give my wife a few.
Just don't tell my wife. I'll bring her a few candies on my next trip.

Just so you know the candy is impregnated with "need more gear" elixir, and the store gets a commission from your dentist. :-)

cr0ak Loc: Texas

henryp wrote:

Just so you know the candy is impregnated with "need more gear" elixir, and the store gets a commission from your dentist. :-)

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

henryp wrote:

From 2008:
Gluskin’s camera store to close in 30 to 90 days
https://www.recordnet.com/article/20080117/A_BIZ/801170302

Gluskin said he stayed open two years longer than made sense “because of my pride.”
He said he thought hard work and being the place everyone wanted to go to for customer service and expertise could make up for the market shifts.
“I was wrong,” he said.
Times have been hard for independent photo stores in recent years.

Quite true, sadly. Those who adapt succeed because of adding lines of business and services, and from developing an Internet presence.

One of the reasons that your company has survived and prospered, Henry, is that you, and a couple of other originally B&M stores, have done the same thing - including your ability to provide service and help even outside the four walls of B&H, such as your online videos and training seminars, which are always first rate. Other once-large NYC, Chicago, and Boston stores (I used to make store visits as pilgrimages when I was a kid!) have fallen by the wayside, while B&H has grown into the old timey, service and training oriented business of choice for those who aren't physically near such a shop. I tip my hat to you for continuing the tradition and friendliness, even online. For anything my local dealer can't get in a timely manner, you're always my first and last stop.

The world is changing, but businesses like B&H, and the small shops near me, show that it's still possible to run a good business model if you are truly innovative.

Andy

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

henryp wrote:

Just so you know the candy is impregnated with "need more gear" elixir, and the store gets a commission from your dentist. :-)

Now that's what I call a "dry" sense of humor!

Andy

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

henryp wrote:

Just so you know the candy is impregnated with "need more gear" elixir, and the store gets a commission from your dentist. :-)

Ha! Ha! That is hysterical but not entirely correct. The candies are actually impregnated with a tincture from a dark brown glass bottle. It is labeled "To Be A Better Photographer."

On a side note, I needed some vacuum cleaner bags. I went into my local PC Richards store. There were three employees. Two were busy on their cell phones. I went over to the third and asked him where the vacuum cleaner bags were. He responded with, "I dunno." I asked him where the front door was. I then walked out right away. I'll bet if I wanted to buy something expensive those three employees would be all over me like flies on a roast.

I think it is sad that stores hire children to work the store. In my line of work, we are all prohibited from using the Internet on our computers, using our cell phones and even drinking a cup of coffee in front customers. So even if a store treats the customer well, we should patronize that store regardless of the deals available elsewhere.

IF I'M NOT WORTH THEIR TIME, THEY ARE NOT WORTHY OF MY MONEY!

Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina

Sorry but I expect to be treated well wherever I choose to shop. That alone is not sufficient for me to feel obligated to purchase from that store.

Scruples wrote:

Ha! Ha! That is hysterical but not entirely corre... (show quote)

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

AndyH wrote:

Quite true, sadly. Those who adapt succeed because... (show quote)

As for a dry sense of humor, you're correct. But let's be realistic. If I wanted a hamburger I'll go to a Burger Joint. I get it fast, hot and cheap. I won't go to a Fried Chicken place. If I want a $2000 camera body and an $800 lens I'm going to a store where I'm a valued customer.
As for being innovative, stores need to do that and keep a watchful eye on their merchandise and their employees.

Happy Shooting!

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

Notorious T.O.D. wrote:

Sorry but I expect to be treated well wherever I choose to shop. That alone is not sufficient for me to feel obligated to purchase from that store.

Those stores that don't treat people well will be gone soon enough. Mark my words.

Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina

Hopefully! Maybe this why I seem to shop at fewer and fewer stores every year...

Scruples wrote:

Those stores that don't treat people well will be gone soon enough. Mark my words.

CWGordon

Some good stuff. Many reasons for these stores to go outta bizniss. A store owner or manager that isn’t managing will certainly not last long, for sure. I do want to be treated well before I will spend money there!

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Scruples wrote:

Those stores that don't treat people well will be gone soon enough. Mark my words.

Sears is a classic example. There were many other reasons for their demise, but there was NEVER a salesperson to help you without having to have a search and almost beg them to ring you up and take your money. I’m glad that Craftsman tools live on (but I’m not sure about the current made-in-China quality), but I don’t miss the rest.

Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina

I think the craftsman name lives on but the quality is long long gone. My son went through about 8 high end craftsman torque wrenches. Finally got sick of them breaking and bought Snap On brand.

TriX wrote:

Sears is a classic example. There were many other reasons for their demise, but there was NEVER a salesperson to help you without having to have a search and almost beg them to ring you up and take your money. I’m glad that Craftsman tools live on (but I’m not sure about the current made-in-China quality), but I don’t miss the rest.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Notorious T.O.D. wrote:

I think the craftsman name lives on but the quality is long long gone. My son went through about 8 high end craftsman torque wrenches. Finally got sick of them breaking and bought Snap On brand.

That’s what I’ve heard. My Craftsman hand tools are probably 40-45 years old on average and are “old craftsman” quality (and I never bought anything Craftsman with a cord on it but once). Snap On has always been first rate and the choice of many pro mechanics.

The one Craftsman power tool I bought (before I knew better) was a compound Miter saw that literally exploded in my face - I was lucky to walk away from it uninjured.