Retail industry watchers have long urged various regimes running Sears, including those pre-Eddie Lampert, to dump clothing and other poorly performing categories to focus on the chain's strengths in major appliances and power tools. While management has tinkered in the past (Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores, spun off by Sears Holdings in 2012, have appliance stores), Sears is now putting the advice to the test with its own standalone appliance store.
The pilot location, a 10,000-square-foot store in Fort Collins, CO that will open on May 19, will feature a simple Sears Appliances banner on its façade. Sears said the store will feature a wide assortment of products from the top 10 brands of appliances, including refrigerators, dishwashers, washers, dryers, ranges, wall ovens and vacuums. Sears bills itself as the only retailer offering all 10 of the top selling appliance brands.
The retailer is also touting a 122-inch interactive display that will enable customers using a tablet to create kitchen settings with appliances that best match their own homes.
"We're using digital innovation and this new store space in a different way which will enable us to deliver a superior shopping experience to our members," said Leena Munjal, senior vice president, customer experience and Integrated Retail, Sears Holdings, in a statement. "The store in Ft. Collins is a great example of how we are focusing on our best categories, stores and members and how the right blend of a physical store with Sears' digital capabilities can deliver a fresh, innovative and convenient way for our members to shop."
Sears will also offer a variety of services in the test store, including appointment scheduling with in-store experts.
Customers can also purchase items on sears.com and pick their orders up for free at the location. This includes items not sold in the test store.