Sears Goes It Alone

Sears is planning to test free-standing stores in an attempt to attract customers currently passing its mall-based locations, says Crain’s Chicago Business.

The first test location will open next fall in Salt Lake City according to the report. Says Sears’ chairman and ceo, Alan Lacy, “We’re not as close to the customer as we should be. People are driving by the malls on their way to Target.”

Moderator’s Comment: Will free-standing stores help
make Sears more competitive with Target, Kohl’s and the retailers other competition?

What Sears really needs is to decide what it wants to
be when it grows up. Right now, we can’t think of a single thing that makes
it stand out from the competition. The products it sells are all sold elsewhere
and often at lower prices. [George
Anderson – Moderator]

• Sears
  testing stand-alone format – Crain’s Chicago Business