WSJ: RadioShack to close 500 stores

[retailisking]

http://blogs.wsj.com/corporate-intelligence/2014/02/04/the-80s-called-and-theyre-closing-down-500-radioshack-stores/

[BillyGr]

This may be easier for them to do that other retailers - I don't know if they still follow the policy, but at one time they were known for leasing and for short leases, which would allow them to close stores more quickly without being stuck with lots of payments still to make.

Part of their issue overall may just be that what they specialized in is not in much demand - they always had all the "bits and pieces" that, at one time, people used to either fix things they had or build their own things (like the early computer age).
Now it seems more likely that people will simply buy a new one of whatever, and, how often do you hear of anyone making their own anything?

[bubcolbert1952]

Isn't RadioShack more stuck in the 70's than any other period? Or maybe even in the 60's (but I'm thinking more the years 1964-1969 than the era right before that when JFK was president).

[Caldor1999]

http://blogs.wsj.com/corporate-intelligence/2014/02/04/the-80s-called-and-theyre-closing-down-500-radioshack-stores/

i though that commercial was silly and delta airlines did a similar one ugh this whole 80's thing is so overrated

[zonemad96]

Not surprising especially since quite a few of them aren't in the greatest of locations.

[ynkeesfn82]

The one in the TJ MAXX/Bob's Furniture Plaza in Southington, Connecticut has been since the 70s when they built the plaza and TJ MAXX was Shoprite and Bobs Furniture/Bed Bath Beyond was Zayre.

[vwnut13]

I'd assume they are closing down the little rinky dink stores.



Up until a few years ago there was a Radio Shack in a furniture store in Woodsville, NH (4745 Dartmouth College Highway).  The logo was straight out of the 70s.  I always thought the Radio Shack furniture store sign was a joke, as there were no markings on the building.  That was, until I went in.  There was a little area of the store that was "Radio Shack".  The product was covered in a measurable amount of dust, the plastic packaging had long turned yellow.  Most of the product was from the 90s. All in all, it was an odd experience to say the least.  The Radio Shack closed as the furniture store did.


Then there is the Radio Shack in Newport, Vermont.  I never knew it was there up until a few years ago when I saw the sign.  It is the bottom floor of a three store apartment building.  I've never been in, but judging from the images on Google Street View, it seems to be pretty up to date (judging by the advertising in the windows.

[bubcolbert1952]

There still is a RadioShack "dealer" store in New Holland, PA. Sears also has "dealer" stores in small towns in the countryside which are probably a tenth the size of a normal Sears.

[vwnut13]

There still is a RadioShack "dealer" store in New Holland, PA. Sears also has "dealer" stores in small towns in the countryside which are probably a tenth the size of a normal Sears.

We have a "Sears Hometown Premier" in our s"mall".

Several years back the owners closed up and moved across the border to NH to open a store.  About a year later they reopened the store in the mall, but used up less than half the space they had before.

Their current spot is a whopping 4,440 square feet, back room included.

[bubcolbert1952]

Speaking of square feet, it seems so weird to realize that my house is only 2500 square feet, because with two floors (NOT counting the basement OR attic), it seems huge compared to most smaller retail spaces (I'm talking ones no more than 10,000 square feet though which is only about the size of a medium-sized liquor store).

Also, I saw a Montgomery Ward dealer store on an Indian reservation somewhere in a Western state but I forget which state it was, because I was on a long road trip through several states.

[ynkeesfn82]

Updated from retailisking's original post. Radio Shack is closing 1100 stores.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/markets/2014/03/04/radio-shack-to-close-stores/6007317/