http://www.cbs8.com/story/38449509/sears-kmart-stores-ailing-as-ceo-eddie-lamperts-hedge-fund-gets-hundreds-of-millions This is a clearly written, thoughtful piece with analyst and customer interviews in addition to some of the history since Lampert came on board, etc.
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I highly doubt computers from 1989 could run any software updated in about the last 20 years. Companies that are actually still running on tech that old have to use plain-text-on-a-black-screen text-based software. (And even most of those aren't still trying to actually run it on hardware that old, it's all emulated on much newer hardware, just so they don't have to rewrite the ancient software.)
@1zux our store opened around 1988-89 and we still are using the same registers too.. the software was updated but it’s the same old beige box registers..
Our sears store is still using the palm pilot sncs, same zebra technology portable printers and I think we got 6 new batteries 20 years ago and our operations manager at that time got in big trouble for ordering those but he at least listened and knew there was a valid need
I like the old sncs... when they work, they are good when good and extremely bad when slow.. but are pretty dependable overall..
It’s amazing that the registers were able to be updated with touch screen capabilities as old as they are and I believe they are 18 or more years old
I think the only new stuff our store got was the flat screen monitors at the kiosks
We have the same old tired looking tables throughout the store, and up till maybe 5 years ago we still had classic element wall signs up in ready to wear
Oh, our store did get new self stick wall paper that had red poppy flowers a few years ago fora new roll out Laura Scott along with white silk flowers and tall pots and a couple of chairs... which since has been taken down and thrown out.
When you take our elevator to second floor, when doors open you are in the appliance department and the carpet in that area really needs replacing as it’s stained and pretty worn
I’ve been at our sears store for 12 years and it use to get extremely busy especially in kids at clearance time..people wd have carts full waiting in line at the kids register..now they removed the entire cac area from kids and I hardly see shoppers up there at all.
@2slj Wow. Was that a Sears or a Kmart?
1zux - Our store opened in 1988. About 1994 we had a rollout of new registers. Those 1994 registers were with us until our store closed several years ago; they had undergone some modifications along the way. At that point they were barely limping along and emitting some of the strangest sounds that one could imagine! To understand how absurd this situation is ask yourself this, how many people are still using the same computer, printer, cell phone or TV they had in 1994?
@1zux-- Our stores registers are from 2001.
No, you most certainly do not have the same registers as 1989. Maybe the same counters that the registers sit on. The technology is old, but nowhere near that old.
Our store opened in 1989 and we still have the same shelves, registers, carpet, paint and flooring. Talk about dated
@TKRcrwJ-1mtk That is the problem Eddie never invested in the actual stores they look dated no fixtures nothing. My store is one of the newest ones (was built in I believe 04) and now it looks super dated. Compared to a Costco that has been their for 2 or 3 decades it looks much more cleaner and up to date compared to my store.
Great article
I found Eddie's excuse for not investing in stores quite laughable that he states he rather invest where it improves the experience for customers and associates and leads to attractive returns!
The only truth to that statement is the last 2 words...
ATTRACTIVE RETURNS— for himself of course
Thank you for the article was great reading