General Discussion Board

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thatmanguy — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 13:08:43 GMT

That's very true. Start out with the initial partnership of signing people up through Sears, and go from there based on the success and popularity of the program.

Being cautious is very necessary in this economy. Start it, let it grow, and go from there.

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BlueCrewGuyInMA — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 13:47:20 GMT

Sure, but then you're talking about a separate Netflix to Sears distribution system. I don't mean to sound negative, but it would be like making Sears not only a place to sign up for Dish Network, but a customer service outlet for them as well. When you get beyond signing people up, there is a necessary infrastructure change, and, at least to start, that would not be cost effective for either side. If we approached with that idea, they'd balk because it's too much too fast with too little evidence supporting its ability to overcome its up-front costs. A sign-up program would be much easier to implement, provide higher ROI, and if Netflix decided down the road to expand the program, they would have the option. *shrug* I'm still big on the idea, though. And, with the number of people migrating away from cable/satellite, Netflix would fill in a gap that we're not taking advantage of.

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thatmanguy — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 05:56:07 GMT

Well, Netflix users could have an ID card they insert to the kiosk that would automatically sync it with their account.

Then when they insert the returned dvd it automatically logs it so they don't have to wait for it to be mailed to select a new dvd. Then, they just select a new dvd. If it was on their queue, it's now taken off. If not, then the movie is registered as the one they have checked out and their queue is not affected. See, this is one of the advantages Blockbuster has over Netflix. Netflix tried to respond with instant streaming of movies to your home, but the selection on that isn't great to be honest.

The stores already house and track their own dvds. It would be hard for a box or two to come in a month labeled "Netflix" and for the electronics manager/associates to swap all of the dvds out and just RTV the old dvds back to netflix along with the dvds in the return bin.

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BlueCrewGuyInMA — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 21:32:36 GMT

A Netflix partnership would be incredible, but I disagree about the in-store pick-up/drop-off. That's introducing a massive infrastructure change for Netflix's queue system, as well as for the stores to house and track the DVDs.

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thatmanguy — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 21:52:23 GMT

One thought would be maybe extending an offer to Netflix as a corporate sponsorship and therefore giving Netflix a store presence.

This would be mutually beneficial, as both companies would benefit by not having to create a separate infrastrucure, but instead using each other's established infrastructure. For example, Sears would be privy to a dvd rental service but would just have to hop on to Netflix's service, and Netflix doesn't have to build any stores because they can use every eligible Sears and Kmart.

Sears Holdings can have a dvd recieval station so the customer would not have to wait for it to be mailed. This recieval station could stock the most popular movies at the time so that the customer could then rent out a new movie on the spot if they wanted to, or they can just wait for the next movie on their list to come in the mail. Or, to take it a step further, they could have the next one or two movies on their queue shipped to their nearest Sears or Kmart automatically so that when they return their current movie they can check out their next movie.

This would be a great corporate partnership that would be mutually beneficial. A spiff could be paid to Sears and Kmart electronics associates for signing up customers for Netflix memberships and the individual stores could get a kickback from Netflix for every subscription and a rental fee from Netflix for using the space within the stores.

Also, once the system is up and running, perhaps they could view and change their Netflix list from Sears.com or Kmart.com

Just a thought.

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michelina — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 14:46:12 GMT

thatmanguy said…
Have a DVD rental station. Continual revenue. Enough said.

Would you like to see a DVD rental station in all the Sears and Kmart stores and online? What's a reasonable price for DVD rentals?

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thatmanguy — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 06:47:02 GMT

Have a DVD rental station. Continual revenue. Enough said.

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Retailman — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 14:55:47 GMT

Self check if they work and have assitants to help people who are unfamiliar with it.
Check out in general is a bad biggy at Kmart but a good idea to improve all together.

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Courtney — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 16:02:00 GMT

I use sefl-check out lines at the grocery store and I love it! It's always much faster for more. I think at a department store it may be more difficult though.

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Retailman — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 13:21:50 GMT

KMART: Expand the knightsbridge line for men. Introduce a similar line for women, nice clothes at a good price. You are forgetting the over 40 and under 60 crowd - who
do you think brings there kids in?? not including teens who wouldn't shop in Kmart according to my random surveys. Expand the Thom mCan line, come on this is a no brainer, you now own this shoe line - no more footstar, capitalize on it! and keep more sizes and wides in stock. K-cafe I have gone over this but have seen a few interesting posts stating to make it retro like the lunch area it once was....do something!!!! Get rid of all sears brand products in Kmart. You need to have an
individual identity!!!!! etc and so on...see my other posts "brass" they can help.

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searstruth — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 23:25:50 GMT

personally I HATE self check-out lanes. I have to "re-learn" to use them at each store because they are different and they are so easy to malfunction.

Also, it takes a job away from someone.

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Chris1585 — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 13:40:23 GMT

I was at Sears yesterday in the market for a new set of sunglasses. I did check the website prior to going to see what kind of selection esd available. It was very limited.

I was going there anyways to pick something else up so I thought I would check out to see if on the odd chance that the store had a bigger selection. I ended up walking around looking, yes there was plenty of staff on the floor I could have asked but I was just checking everything out, and finally ended up in the optical department. There was the limited selection, a few Ray-Ban's. I asked the lady working, who greeted me when I entered, if that was the extent of their sunglasses selection. She confirmed that it was and I thanked her and left.

So to make a long story short, I wish there would have been a larger selection. I would have liked to buy them there, but understand that they may not be a profitable item. Maybe the sporting goods outlet's have the market cornered on them?

Otherwise, there were sufficient staff on the floor, the store was clean and well stocked and I was greeted numerous times. There were a couple of quirks in my experience yesterday, but they were trivial.

Chris

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Chris1585 — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 04:47:48 GMT

Hi Jinrende,

From Lands' End Gift Card FAQ page:

Can I redeem a Sears® or K-mart® Gift Card at Lands' End?
Yes! Sears® and K-mart® Gift Cards can be redeemed at landsend.com, by phone, or in Lands' End® retail stores. You'll need your 16-digit Gift Card number and 8-digit PIN. (Sorry. We cannot accept Sears® or Kmart® Gift Cards that do not have the 8 digit PIN or Kmart® cards that have a 19-digit account number.)

link:

http://aka.landsend.com/cd/popup/0,,copyName=pop_giftcard_0204_faq.html#kmart

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Jinrende — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 03:58:09 GMT

We get Sears gift cards from work...I know we can use them at Sears and Kmart... what about other companies? (ie Land's End,). We lost our KMart and Sears in our town years ago-just got a small appliance Sears back! Since I would rather not drive an hour to use it, I shop online. More stores would open up the possibilities! Where can we use these cards?

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snydea00 — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 06:26:59 GMT

Thieves have ruined the self check-out lanes for us all :( . It is a shame but my Kmart tried it a year or two back and we liked them very much, then they got rid of them. When we commented to cashier how easy they were, they replied, yes, they were easy for people who stole thousands of dollars from the store too, unfortunately. So once again, like identity fraud and other examples, the thieves have destroyed another great invention for us all.

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michelina — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 12:58:42 GMT

Thanks for the ideas and keep them coming!

Self check-out lanes are so convenient, especially when you have a basketf ull of items or are in a big hurry. It's helpful to have an employee standing close to make sure the self-checkout registers are working.

Being able to print pictures while you shop is pretty convenient, too! I'll continue to pass along the great ideas shared here to our store operations team.

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strawberrybl1050 — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 17:08:41 GMT

I second the self check out lanes. As long as they are used properly. Also, a portrait studio would be nice. I know Sears has one, but Kmart doesn't (at least not the one I go to). Maybe a self photo printing machine?

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warrenjoseph — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 15:47:41 GMT

Self Check out machines in Kmart

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MoreGreen — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 15:04:01 GMT

Sears, My name is Kenneth Simmons I am working with Dave Anderson the owner of ConCoreHomes[www.concorehomes.com] homes Fortified using Concrete,Steel and Foam are[ ICF] Insulated, Concrete Forms also homes are Disaster and Fire Resistant. Also Energy Star rated Homes. Want to partner with Sears to use there EnergyStar products to use in [Home Packages] and help sell Fortified Homes. Check out web site[ www.concorehomes.com] and Dave Anderson at 1-800-368-5641 or me at 573-642-4134 email: steelframehomesbyken@hotmail.com. Thanks Ken

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Retailman — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 18:19:12 GMT

People are having issues with each store and cross polinating may confuse things more and more, yes make people aware of inter store relations and the products offered in each as long as they are separate so distinctions can be made. Route 66 is big in Kmart but would get entirely lost in Sears, Joe Boxer is probably better off were it started in Kmart...etc and so on.....

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Retailman — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 12:18:56 GMT

More web kiosks and signage in stores. Ok, do not cross polinate items between stores so they can keep there identity but do offer choices, signs saying didn't find what you're looking for try Kmart or try sears, have more computer kioks so customers can find it at kmart or sears and have customer service reps trained and ready to help
(or so they can order right there) Keeping the distinct identities of each store while driving casual traffice to each,
brands get doubled with out cross polinations or lose of identity.

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michelina — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 13:48:09 GMT

Are there any products or services you'd like to see added?