These Are America’s 8 Worst-Performing Retail Chains
- Posted on November 4, 2011 at 3:45pm by
Becket Adams
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Filene’s Basement, and parent company Syms, declared bankruptcy recently. The situation is so grim that Syms will shutter all 46 locations, and 2,500 employees will lose their jobs. The company, founded in 1959, was once an important discount retailer. According to the company, it has been suffering from competition as sales of big apparel brands have become concentrated at large retailers with hundreds of outlets.
Analysts predict that the holiday shopping season will be difficult for many retailers this year. The National Retail Federation reported that industry sales would be up only 2.8 percent to $465.6 billion, not enough to make up for three brutal years. Thousands of stores have been closed because of a drop in retail activity because of the recession. Closures for many retail stores will continue.
Several of the largest retailers have consistently performed poorly between 2005 and 2010 for reasons that go beyond the recession. Researchers at 24/7 Wall St. have identified the eight retailers that lost the most in total sales during that period. The stores that fared the worst have a great deal in common.
First, some specialty retailers have to compete with larger chains. This is certainly the case for Foot Locker because the big box retailers and most department stores sell high-end athletic shoes.
The presence of direct competitors that are similarly sized is another reason for the poor performance of some stores on the list. The office products retail sector is occupied by Office Depot, Office Max and Staples. Walmart’s Sam’s Club has created lines of merchandise that also compete in the same market.
The third reason that some of the retailers have done poorly is weak management. Robert Nardelli was a former Jack Welch lieutenant at GE. Nardelli was passed over for Welch’s job. He was hired by Home Depot to run the company after he failed to get the promotion. Between 2000 and 2007, Nardelli managed to alienate both employees and shareholders with poor results and his extravagant pay packages. JCPenney has had similar management problems. Poor merchandising decisions by CEO Mike Ullman, who has run the company since 2004, hurt revenue. He was recently replaced by the head of Apple’s retail store operation, Ron Johnson.
The retail industry has fared relatively well in the past five years, despite the recession, buoyed by strong sales during 2005 to 2007. GDP grew by 16 percent over these same five years. In addition, most big operators have been able to increase revenue since the middle of the last decade. U.S. Sales at industry giants such as Walmart, Target and Costco have risen by 21 percent, 13 percent and 28 percent, respectively. With $600 billion a year in combined sales, they are a reasonable proxy for the entire industry.
To identify the large retailers in America with the worst sales, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed data published by National Retail Federation’s Stores Magazine. They primarily relied on “Top 100 Retailers” list to identify the retailers that had lost the most in annual retail sales from 2005 to 2010. Only public companies were ranked in order to demonstrate how declining sales affect the overall health of corporations. Because sales numbers can be distorted, companies with significant M&A activity were also excluded.
These are America’s eight disappearing store chains.
8. JCPenney
Drop in sales: 5.9 percent
2005 sales: $18.8 billion
2010 sales: $17.7 billion
5 yr. change in stock price: -59 percent
JCPenney is an iconic U.S. brand. It was started by James Cash Penney in 1902. At one point, it employed Sam Walton, the founder of Walmart. JCPenney suffers from two problems. The first is that it is in the highly competitive middle-market department store business, which includes Kohl’s, Macy’s and Dillard’s.
Poor management has allowed competitors to flank the company in store locations and merchandise selection. Mike Ullman, who joined the company as CEO in 2004, was the head of JCPenney during its decline. Problems at the retailer have been severe enough that the board has replaced Ullman with former Apple Store chief Ron Johnson. Looking to the future, Penney’s typical middle class customer may have little discretionary income for spending this year. JCPenney same-store sales dropped 2.6 percent in October.
7. The Gap
Drop in sales: 9.4 percent
2005 sales: $16 billion
2010 sales: $14.5 billion
5 yr. change in stock price: -3 percent
The situation at Gap has become more desperate recently. It announced it would close 21 percent of its flagship store locations by 2013. The Gap, which was founded in 1969, was the cool location for casual dress during the 1990s, capturing the nation with its slogan, “Fall into the Gap.” Until recently, the company had 3,100 stores, including Gap, Old Navy and Banana Republic locations.
The Gap’s competition has grown because of merchandise decisions at large department stores and because of the rise of retailers like Abercrombie & Fitch. Gap has been through several CEOs since it fired its famed chief Mickey Drexler.
6. Foot Locker
Drop in sales: 12.3 percent
2005 sales: $5.7 billion
2010 sales: $5.0 billion
5 yr. change in stock price: -3 percent
In 1974, Woolworth, another famous American retailer, founded Foot Locker to take advantage of the growing interest in athletic shoes. Nike was started ten years earlier, and a surge in interest in athletic shoes had begun. Unfortunately for Foot Locker, Nike shoes are now sold by almost every department store and big-box retailer in the United States.
Also, the parent company of Nike as well as Adidas and Under Armour have taken a larger part in building their brands, in some cases by having their own stores. Foot Locker’s sales did rebound in the second quarter of the year.
5. The Home Depot
Drop in sales: 16.6 percent
2005 sales: $81.5 billion (restated to $77.1 billion due to HD Supply, August 2007)
2010 sales: $68.0 billion
5 yr. change in stock price: flat
The Home Depot is the world’s largest retailer of building materials and home improvement products. The company has over 2,200 stores worldwide. The chain has been badly damaged by the housing crisis, which began in earnest in 2007. Home Depot’s prospects were also hurt by the presence of Robert Nardelli, who operated the chain in the first half of the decade.
One of Home Depot’s greatest challenges is that it has a large direct competitor in Lowe’s. The other is that the housing market has shown no sign of a recovery.
4. Office Depot
Drop in sales: 16.8 percent
2005 sales: $14.3 billion
2010 sales: $11.9 billion
5 yr. change in stock price: -89 percent
All three of the major office supply companies — the other two being OfficeMax and Staples — have done poorly for three reasons. First, there are too many competitors in the sector. Second, retailers from outside the sector, particularly the Walmart/Sam’s Club franchise, have further divided market share and depressed the margins. The last and most obvious challenge is the toll taken by the recession, particularly among the small businesses that frequent these stores. Office Depot’s last quarter disappointed Wall Street. Sales for the period were off by 2 percent.
3. OfficeMax
Drop in sales: 22.8 percent
2005 sales: $9.2 billion
2010 sales: $7.1 billion
5 yr. change in stock price: -83 percent
Office Max is the smallest of the three retailers in the office supplies industry, with a total annual revenue of $7 billion, compared with $25 billion for market leader Staples. Staple’s size and number of locations make it almost impossible for OfficeMax to gain market share. Its modest revenue also prevents it from having the purchasing and distribution leverage that its bigger rivals do. OfficeMax’s revenue fell 2.2 percent in the last reported quarter. The firm blamed weak back to school sales.
2. Dillard’s
Drop in sales: 23.1 percent
2005 sales: $7.8 billion
2010 sales: $6.0 billion
5 yr. change in stock price: +82 percent
Dillard’s is another huge American retailer founded in the first half of the century that now finds itself in the crowded general department store sector, which includes Saks and Macy’s. All three companies have struggled to expand and have posted only modest net incomes. Dillard’s has staged a modest recovery recently. Same-store sales rose 8 percent in October.
1. Sears
Drop in sales: 23.5 percent
2005 sales: $54 billion
2010 sales: $41.3 billion
5 yr. change in stock price: -53 percent
Sears Holdings was created in November 2004 by a merger between Sears Roebuck and Kmart. Sears Roebuck was once among the largest retailers in the country and essentially created the catalog business. The merger was engineered by hedge fund manager Eddie Lampert.
Both of the chains were weak before the transaction. Kmart was in bankruptcy. Management has been unable to improve the company’s fortunes, which to some extent are hurt by the size and discounting power of Target and Walmart. Sears missed earnings expectations in the past quarter and said it had closed 29 stores during the period.
(Douglas A. McIntyre/Becket Adams—24/7 Wall St./The Blaze)
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Comments (226)
911Patriot
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 6:35pmSears has been an incredible employer for our military. Please support them if you’re able.
Report Post »TRUTHandFREEDOM
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 7:16pmI will plan on doing some Christmas shopping there.
Report Post »TH30PH1LUS
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 8:02pmI stopped doing business with Home Depot when I learned about their homosexual social agenda http://action.afa.net/item.aspx?id=2147496231
Report Post »jzs
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 8:23pmHere’s an idea. Let‘s give tax breaks to middle Americans so they’ll have more money to spend at these stores and create demand for their products?
Just kidding! If we gave big tax breaks to the owners, they’d have more money. So they wouldn’t lay off employees even though the stores are in the red. Then with what’s left over, they would go create even more jobs!
Report Post »Grey Eagle
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 9:57pmThe customer service at Sears in Oviedo Fl has been excellent. As a result, we bought some appliances because of a great experience with their warranty service. Home Deport has some of the worst customer service that I have ever seen. No wonder there is a large drop in sales. We don’t go there as a result. We shop at Lowes in Oviedo Fl, where the customer service and quality merchandise is excellent.
Report Post »Jase
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 10:36pmI stopped shopping at Home Depot years ago, that is a horrible company. They treat the truck drivers that deliver there like absolute trash. Lowe’s however is the complete opposite, and I have delivered to at least 100 of each of their stores. Go Lowe’s!
Report Post »Detroit paperboy
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 11:15pmThanks for the info on sears i will support them also.
Report Post »coloradoposter
Posted on November 5, 2011 at 12:25amMe too!
Report Post »dr_funk
Posted on November 5, 2011 at 12:32amHome Depot has been hurt by their support of the homosexual agenda.
I refuse to shop there for that very reason…on top of the fact that I get terrible service there.
Report Post »DYNA
Posted on November 5, 2011 at 12:39amI do what I can to patronize Sears. I wonder how many critics of the store chains such as Sears,
Report Post »are benefiting ( or leaching) from the taxes these retailers pay, or have not produced anything
measurable in their own lives.
LFRD
Posted on November 5, 2011 at 12:53amSears should downsize it’s inventory and ONLY sell tools and appliances. Everything else needs to go.
Report Post »Jasper
Posted on November 5, 2011 at 8:42amI will shop at Sears this Christmas to!
Report Post »STL Tix
Posted on November 5, 2011 at 9:11amSears today isn’t the Sears of our childhood. About 18 months ago I tried (Stress TRIED) to swap a Craftsman tap handle that broke. The store refused, “…It wasn’t on a separate hanger tag…”. This handle was open bin shelf stock 20 years ago when it was bought, no tags, just Craftsman. Thinking it may just be the Crestwood store policy I called the office in Chicago & got the same story. I’m a millwright & need good tools. Sears no longer gets my tool business & I tell all mechanics the same.
Report Post »Caniac Steve
Posted on November 5, 2011 at 11:30amhere in North carolina the only store I go to ut at a mall is Sears…as and while they have changed some of their product line..it still meets my needs…Kohls is too prissy for me..my 24 year old grand daughter loves the place…but for this old fossil..it be and remains Sears..used to love “those’ catalogs in the day !! LOL
Report Post »grayling646
Posted on November 5, 2011 at 12:37pmlol @ some of these posts. if i refused to do business with every store that had a policy i disagreed with, i’d be naked and starving in the dark.
Report Post »SoulReaver
Posted on November 5, 2011 at 4:57pmI agree Sears is one of the last great retailers that has not sold out the American worker. Wal mart shareholders may benefit from their success but America has paid a heavy price. In their hunt to get a great deal (low priced crap made in China or Malaysia) Americans are hurting companies that try to do right by this country.
Report Post »Wal marts basic model was to build in small towns crush the competition with low prices and then raise their prices. They even financed creating a town called USA to fool people into thinking they were buying a product made in the U.S.A.
You can go buy your cheap stuff there but when your cheaply made stuff wears out then you can go to Sears or JCP or similar and get some quality merchandise.
YoungBloodNews
Posted on November 5, 2011 at 8:05pmWe will truly will see how bad we are economically this year when the gift count under the tree is little to none. I think that will be the wake up call most of the ‘sheep’ need since their identity is so rooted in materialism. Where’s the presents? I cant buy gifts for everyone I need to. Wait, money was tight? Well I am making a lot less this year than years of the past…
Report Post »JESUS-IS-LORD
Posted on November 5, 2011 at 9:50pmThe country is on the verge of poverty and
Report Post »here is a story about how the retailers are losing money.
What is wrong with this picture?
Warphead
Posted on November 5, 2011 at 10:54pmSears is an american icon. Their leaders have done some stupid things. The most noteable is the discontinuation of their catalog when credit cards were just starting to boom and buying from catalogs was the newest craze via your telephone. Like K-Mart they just constantly lagged behind. Lets hope they get their act together. When I was a boy, nothing was more exciting than getting the new Sears catalog.
Report Post »Boomer One
Posted on November 6, 2011 at 8:55amAbsolutely loved Sears in the 1950‘s and 60’s. I still have my first set of Craftsman tools, none of which have ever broken. Problem is with current merchandise imported from China. I purchased a Craftsman air pump and had to go back twice before I had one that would work. Quality of current Craftsman tools pales in comparison to competition, older tools. I’d gladly pay a little more for a quality product made in America. Bring back quality and I’ll be a happier and more frequent customer.
Report Post »Mikev5
Posted on November 6, 2011 at 6:23pm@JZS JZS how old are you all your posts make you sound like a teen just out of H S who thinks he knows it all and how stupid all the old people are but the problem is you just don’t have the real life experiences us old people do to make sound decisions regarding life and how it works the real world not the young just out of school world experience your head is full of nonsense go out and learn the truth stop harassing people.
No one is perfect and we all make mistakes but we stop judging people harshly we learn to evaluate talk and learn the truth then try to talk it out that is always the best.
We old people have our hang-up’s but we can be persuaded to listen, but we have learned to not listen to people that spew nonsense like you do all the time
Report Post »RedManBlueState
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 12:04pmI USED to like Sears back in “the good ol’ days.” They used to be a nice blue-collar department store. Since the 90′s (maybe the 80′s) they’ve been trying to be more upscale and pretending to be one of those snootier Mall stores.
They need to go back to their roots.
And I REALLY miss the 20 pound Christmas Wish Book!! Yes, it said “Christmas” right on it!!
Report Post »Duio67
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 1:33pmAll of our large home appliances are from Sears. When I think of purchasing something home-related, I always think of Sears first, Lowe’s second.
Report Post »BigMcDaddy
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 6:20pmSears can go right up a big cow hole and smell the stuff that they have been over charging for!
Report Post »JQCitizen
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 6:34pmAmen!! Every time my husband wants to go there I ask him, “Why would you want to pay MORE?”
Report Post »SpudsJimbo
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 7:01pmSears tools are Great. And at the flea market you can get them really cheap. :)
Report Post »1casawizard
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 10:50pmI go there for clearance items and I feel like I get a Whale of a deal.
Report Post »AngryK9
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 10:52pmAmen. I hate sears. Horrible customer service and stores filled with chinese made crap.
Report Post »dr_funk
Posted on November 5, 2011 at 12:36amI’ll be sad to see Sears Hardware go…I’ve been a loyal Craftsman customer for years.
Snap-on is over-priced, and Kobalt stuff just doesn’t measure up…
Report Post »Texasphyl
Posted on November 6, 2011 at 3:45pmI don’t mind paying more if it is made in the USA but I will not buy foreign country items because we are already giving most of them our tax money any way. It may get to the point that I will be naked as well because everything is made in China, even material.
Report Post »By the way: Why do you have a picture of the wicked witch of the Chicago mafia as your profile. No wonder you write such crap.
BigMcDaddy
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 6:17pmI hope and pray sears gos to hell—!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Report Post »groundzero
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 9:42pmIt’s not always about the store BUT THE EMPLOYEES & FAMILY
Report Post »BigJohnT
Posted on November 5, 2011 at 12:33pmAgreed, too much over priced Chinese junk.
Report Post »thebabyguy
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 5:52pmI haven’t shopped at the Gap or Office Depot, and barely at Foot Locker, but all the others have one big thing in common – very little help, and totally incompetent help. While there are a few knowledgeable folks in these stores, good luck finding one when you visit. You need to know what you’re looking for and where to find it, otherwise ti’s time to go elsewhere. Folks have voted with their feet, obviously. I just recently shopped at a Dillard’s for the first time. Very nice store, but they seem to only carry the highest-end merchandise at insane prices. Who can afford that? My guess is they’ve priced themselves out of most markets. If you want to spend like that, might as well go to the boutiques.
Report Post »occupylife
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 7:46pmI work at on of the above mentioned dept. stores….the problem
Report Post »with the clerks is most anyone under the age of 50 just does’nt have
the work ethic of bygone years. You know… the customer comes first,
be responsible and show up for work/on time, leave your personal
problems at home. It is symptomatic of what is wrong with alot of things
in our country, the younger generations think they are“Owed” something
and have no concept of “Service” to others.
I Luv America
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 7:58pm@Occupy…Most people under 50 don’t have a good work ethic? I would agree most people under 35 or 40, but 50 is a stretch. I’m 48 and was instilled with a very good work ethic by my parents. However, I will concede that my parents were in their 40′s when I was born in 1963.
Report Post »deetown
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 5:50pmI will never shop at Sears again, Last Christmas,Dec 3rd, I went in to buy a small appliance as a gift. I finally found what I wanted, (15 min search) went to the register to check out, three registers in a square, ONE open, I accidently got in the wrong line, didn’t realize only one open. The RUDE clerk said the end of the line waas off to the right, I looked around & saw about 20 people in line & asked if there was some place I could sit while I waited? (I am handicapped) he very rudely said sure, how about your car. I stepped up to the register laid down my merchandiise and left the store, again using my crutches as I walked out.
Report Post »they do not know what customer service is.
Texasphyl
Posted on November 6, 2011 at 3:53pmI would have found the manager and told him if he didn’t fire that rude person he may have a bunch of really pissed off women boycotting their store for quite awhile. I would have also told that jerk that his mother would really be ashamed of him for talking to someone like that, if he had a mother. The next step would be to write to the CEO, district CEO and tell them that if they don’t hire people that are polite and really want to work then I will put ads in newspapers, go on facebook, and tell everyone exactly what happened and why I will never go back to that store. I did that with an HEB store that won’t allow any other grocery stores come into the area, I haven‘t shopped in there for over 6 years and I make sure that people know why I don’t shop there. Eventually we will get a much needed Kroger in our town.
Report Post »RightPolitically
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 5:44pmDown into Filene’s basement they all go.
Report Post »ANOTHER ISOLATED INCIDENT
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 5:42pmWalked into WalMart two weeks BEFORE Halloween and found Christmas displays up.
Report Post »Girard1974
Posted on November 5, 2011 at 1:34amAnd your point is?
Report Post »Stop_Your_Lying_Libs
Posted on November 5, 2011 at 11:12amWell, Merry Christmas !!!!
It‘s good to know that Christmas hasn’t been abolished by the Obama administration.
Report Post »BigJohnT
Posted on November 5, 2011 at 12:34pmAbsolutely ridiculous.
Report Post »grayling646
Posted on November 5, 2011 at 12:45pmi believe that‘s called ’retailing’
Report Post »Classical Liberal
Posted on November 6, 2011 at 12:35amWhat he meant to say was, “x-mas displays.” And yeah it is sickening to see Christmas displays even as early as novermber or halloween decorations in late august. It is essentially all part of the culture of death we are falling into in America.
tread carefully friends, or tomorrow you may not have a culture at all.
Report Post »RedManBlueState
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 12:11pmYou are terribly mistaken. What you saw are “HOLIDAY” displays.
Happy Holidays, Season’s Greetings.
“We hope you all have a generally good time in the coming weeks.” –Rhett & Link
Report Post »Bronco II
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 5:39pmHome Depot brought alot of their failure on themselves.I haven‘t shopped there since early 2000’s and don’t plan to.The other stores it’s all about CUSTOMER NO SERVICE.I have had no issues with Lowes yes sometines they are shorthanded but they will do their best to send someone over to help you and they will admit if they don‘t know something that’s rare now adays.They have always been respectful to me at least and so that’s what keeps me going there.
Report Post »Dustoff
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 5:58pmHmmm. I can’t say the same in WA state. The service is very good?
Report Post »MTCOWBOY711
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 6:31pmHome Depot tool brand was Husky and carried a “lifetime warranty”, when I broke an opened end wrench and went to get it replaced they had voided the warranty. I quit shopping there, about 5 years ago after that. Lowes is much more customer orientated.
Report Post »michaele6
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 7:07pmSame thing here, dont have that much trouble iwth home depot, they have been more helpful and instructing to me, a single mom DIY’er, but lowes on the other hand, which i am told by my brother who works there that they are government owned, they sell the supplies to the government workers, they have NEVER been helpful, always having to search someone down, they are ALWAYS rude, the other day i wanted to buy a 23” by 35” piece of wood to put under my sink that had a leak, the guy at lowes said that unless i bought this $20, 8 foot plank of wood, i could not get it cut. I told him home depot has odd cut wood that it sells for small jobs, and that I would go there, he told me he used to work at home depot and that they do not do that, he said it rudely too. I left, went to HD and got my thick peice of wood cut great, for …….50 cents. NEVER WILL GO TO LOWES AGAIN, gave them a chance since my bro just got a job there, but even he hates it there after two weeks, says the workers are rude and do nothing.
Report Post »TumbleBumble
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 7:27pmI am glad to see Home Depot on this list, as well as Old Navy. I have been boycotting both stores. Home Depot because of their continued support of homosexuals and same sex marriage…
http://action.afa.net/item.aspx?id=2147496231
And Old Navy because of their blatant refusal to acknowledge Christmas. Sears had tried going down that route a few years ago, but did an about face when a letter campaign had convinced them to be Christmas friendly. My daughter had gone to the mall and called me to say that Sears had put up a big red banner across their mall entrance that declared ‘Merry Christmas’! I headed right over there to make a purchase, as my way of saying ‘thanks’!
I had received a personal email from a higher-up in response to a message I sent telling them that I was so pleased of their reversal that I just came back from their store with a little bag of Christmas gifts. He told me he would share my letter at the next board meeting.
Report Post »Lssmc
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 7:36pmI avoid Home Depot as much as I can. The nearest Lowes is 15 miles further. HD refused to allow their employees to wear an american flag pin, but sponsored a gay pride parade. I’m sure many patriots have avoided them for that reason. I tried to get a $100 line of credit with Sears back in 1970 and was declined, so I haven’t been back since. I shop mostly Marshall”s, TJ’s, Kohl’s, Chico’s, Target and Walmart. If I ever find out any of them are supporting unjust causes, I’ll stop going to them also. I hate that Walmart buys mostly Chinese made products, but you can‘t find many retailers who don’t.
Report Post »1casawizard
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 11:04pmI agree with the good service in ga, nc, sc, tn. with Lowe’s. I’ve NEVER had a problem.
Report Post »RepubliCorp
Posted on November 5, 2011 at 1:13amI truly miss the mom & pop hardware stores…..hate the big box stores! They all suck!
Report Post »grayling646
Posted on November 5, 2011 at 12:53pmagreed republicorp…i shop at nevilles hardware. i know all the people, from the grandfather to the grandson and all in between. there‘s an old pot bellied stove with chairs all around it usually filled with old timers swapping ’tales of yore’. prices are a lot cheaper too.
Report Post »PolitelyPlanning
Posted on November 5, 2011 at 2:18pmI just want to say that our Oak Harbor, WA Home Depot has GREAT people and a GREAT store manager who are always friendly and helpful. I would go there any time as opposed to Lowe’s who, when they changed from Eagle they became awful. We had our kitchen remodeled (destroyed) thanks to Lowe’s and it took 8 months to get done as opposed to the 2 weeks promised. Nightmare. We gave our bathroom project to HD and it was completed and gorgeous in no time. I guess it all depends on the people you are dealing with because I even had the store manager at Home Depot look in on the back deck project we were having trouble with and he fixed it X 100.
Report Post »ionic
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 5:21pmI would spend more $$ in the J.C.Penney’s juniors section, but I don’t want my daughter to dress like a ******.
Report Post »ionic
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 5:27pmSorry, I didn’t realize ****** was a bad word. Someone needs to let Penney’s know.
Report Post »ANOTHER ISOLATED INCIDENT
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 5:38pmdid you mean hoo ore?
Report Post »Ethereal
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 5:49pmYou know what most (not all) of these stores have in common? Fewer choices in their inventory and more products from china. For instance levis jeans were very well made quality jeans but now they are made in china. These companies all make the products the cheapest they can and provide the customer with fewer choices. Look around, everything looks the same and is crap quality.
Report Post »ionic
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 11:53pmThat‘s the first time I’ve ever been censored! Someone told me tonight that they had never heard me curse! They need to read my comments. I’m (apparently) a bad ***. (Dear censors, the *** is short for “guy”. Wink, wink.)
Report Post »diablamonkey
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 5:18pmThe gap went by the wayside cuz the clothes are cheap and fall apart and fit you if you are a size 2- Home Depot and Lowes have lousy customer service-you can‘t find anyone and if you do they don’t know anything about building- office supply stores are overpriced and understaffed. There are reasons retailers fail- their business models are lacking in customer service
Report Post »angelcat
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 5:24pmI guess it depends on where you live. Office Depot and Office Max in my area fall all over each other trying to help customers. I am usually greeted within the first 2 or 3 minutes of entering the store. Maybe it is just the regular Texas friendly that makes the difference.
Report Post »ANOTHER ISOLATED INCIDENT
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 5:38pmMy thoughts exactly!!! Occasionally I will wander into an Office Depot. When you go to check out there is often nobody working in the front. The anorexic clothes buyers at the gap need to understand that when I buy a large, I don’t actually mean a youth small.
Report Post »Bill Rowland
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 8:20pmWent to Office Depot to buy a new printer. Couldn’t get waited on. Clerk came thru front doors walked by me with me asking for assistance, ignored me and went to talk to his buddy about whatt an awesome lunch he had. I haven’t been back.
OMG
Report Post »nancy364
Posted on November 5, 2011 at 3:31amI agree….customer service does not exist anymore!!!! Sears is AWFUL with customer service!! I have searched a whole floor at Sears looking for help, finally just left and will not go back. Companies want to save money by not having employees, but lose in the end when people get no service. Home Depot lost customers, including me, when they decided to support homosexual causes.
Report Post »isobamamadd
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 5:16pmYou can keep your China-Mexi- Mart. No one goes there but Liberals and Mexicans with welfare checks.
Report Post »jado1981
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 5:07pmI’m generally not one to boycott a store, but the home depot is spending lots of its money in support of gay pride parades. They are constantly in the parades and targeting children there. I refuse to give my money (as a form of appreciation) to a company who does things I disprove of. Sure, it’s their right, but then, it’s my right too.
Report Post »denisp52
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 5:33pmthanks for the update on HD… I didn’t know about the parades and open support. It’s all Lowes from now on for me.
Report Post »Rowwdy
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 6:16pmI also didn’t know that JAD. Thanks for the heads up.
Report Post »911Patriot
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 6:32pmYes, the American Family Association has gathered over 700,000 signatures boycotting Home Depot for this reason and for 2 years they have ignored those that have signed and encouraged others to boycot this store until it removes itself from the destruction of Christian culture…
Report Post »http://www.afa.net/Detail.aspx?id=2147512695
jado1981
Posted on November 6, 2011 at 12:18amI wasn’t sure I could post links, but AFA is the one that is “hosting” the boycott, and I am one of the 700,000 members that have said no to HD. My family is joined in that as well, and I tell everyone I know. They have the right to agree or to tell me I’m a kook, and that’s fine by me.
Report Post »KickinBack
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 4:59pmLooks like Dollar General isn’t doing to shabby.
Report Post »EqualJustice
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 5:42pmThat’s because Obama has LOWERED our standard of living.. solcial justice and all that. The more he pumps up the bottom, the harder those above will FALL! WELCOME TO THE WELFARE CLASS!
Report Post »NewLife56
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 4:59pmHmmm, that’s strange, these are the top stores that took the Word CHRISTMAS and replaced it with Holidays? Maybe people would rather shop for CHRISTmas instead of Holiday? Christ gave us a gift, Holiday didn’t. hmmmm
Report Post »UBKidding
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 5:20pmTarget has stopped the Salvation Army and sadly support gay marriage, and their bottom line has risen So not such a broad brush can be painted.
Report Post »Chloesmom
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 4:53pmSo Home Depot is blaming it on Lowe’s and the housing market? I’d like to think that the American Family Association-sponsored boycott (due to HD’s blatent pro-gay activities) has something to do with it. I’m doing my part to put them out of business.
Report Post »KickinBack
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 5:08pmLowes isn’t on the list. And they’re not the biggest. Must be doing something right.
Report Post »TexOkie
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 5:15pmSo what other company are you boycotting for being mean to you?
And isn’t it a bit of a contradiction to have a boycot for gay rights reasons sponsored by the American Family Association? How do gay rights fit in with Family values? I could understand if if it were the American Anti-Family Association.
Report Post »pdh42
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 5:15pmI agree…. I too have stopped shopping at Home Depot for that very reason….
Report Post »proudtobearmybrat
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 5:15pmThose are my feelings exactly!
Report Post »ROE-SMELLEN
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 5:56pmThis is first I have heard of HD pro gayness.
Report Post »Can you having specifics?
AngryK9
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 10:49pmDitto. I refuse to shop at home depot when I heard they had a children’s activitiy booth set up at a gay pride event.
Report Post »dnewton
Posted on November 5, 2011 at 2:57pmIt seems like the businesses like Home Depot and Lowes should be doing fairly well as unemployed construction workers might be doing side jobs for themselves or family if their regular employment might not be available. Some of the worst people for fixing their own homes are construction people because in the good times they don’t have time because they are always working on other peoples homes.
Report Post »Cheryl Pass
Posted on November 5, 2011 at 10:01pmThe Home Depot Foundation supports, partners with. something called the National League of Cities, which is a global leftist / Socialist lobbying group promoting the United Nations’ Sustainable Development in cities across America. You should look up the NLC and if your city is paying dues to them, start yelling at your city council to stop the membership and get out of there. Home Depot has sold out for corporate brownie points to the government. For this alone, I hope they go belly up. I love! Lowe’s and have stayed with them for their good customer service and products we need for our home and yard.
Report Post »GPS-Tech
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 4:48pmI quit shopping at the Gap when they started to sell nothing but skinny jeans, skinny shirts, skinny jackets, skinny everything. I went to the gap and asked for a pair of baggy fit jeans and the two clerks at the counter rolled their eyes and said “we dont carry those kind”. I laughed and told them that the gap was one of the first stores to even carry baggy fit but they wouldnt know since they were probably in kindergarten back then. I have the hook up at Dillard’s with one of the managers. She lets me know when they are having sales and gives me her manager’s discount on top of the sale price. If you network you can pretty much get the hookup on anything out there.
Report Post »qzak491
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 4:44pmJust that many more for the unemployment lines. I hope at election time they remember who really put them there.
Report Post »Milkman
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 4:44pmI‘m waiting for someone to start blaming Amazon for all these retailers’ woes……. Municipalities belly-aching about less tax revenues cause people are avoiding paying tax by shopping on-line etc…… rubbish I say….When the economy sucks and people are out of work….then the economy sucks…..its a vicious cycle
Report Post »JustPeachy
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 4:35pmHow is the %$#@!!!! “hope and change” working for everyone now?!?
Ya hit the “rich” then they don’t have as much money to put into their businesses to provide jobs to the “middle class.” The middle class then has less money to spend to help keep businesses open–MORE jobs are lost. Then everyone (except the political elite, of course) become part of the “lower class/poor” and end up on support.
Yes, everything is going well according to the Soros/Obama Plan!
NOBAMA 2012!!!
Report Post »taxpro4u03
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 7:29pmThere are TRILLIONS of $’s being hoarded by the upper classes — it is NOT being invested here at home simply because there is uncertainty with BIG GOVERNMENT in its way. The consumerism mentality of SPOILED Americans (have credit card, will BUY, buy, buy!!) is just about to TANK (as planned IMHO). People are beginning to realize the ‘automobile displaced whip and buggy makers.’ Why would a conscientious consumer waste precious dollars paying additional TAX (avoid, not EVADE) to have the same or better merchandise delivered right to their doorstep? No Additional $/TAX wasted on FUEL. Less fuss and bother with arrogant ‘customer service’ personnel. :-) Heck! Vote with your $! It is a universal language the ‘targets’ of one’s frustrations understand.
Report Post »inferno
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 4:26pmSears Sucks ! Anyone who shops there is a Searsucker !
Report Post »V-MAN MACE
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 4:37pmSuper expensive mediocre products.
Report Post »one.dakine.howlie
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 4:39pmMaybe it’s just the Sears at your location. Some of the best deals I’ve ever found on clothes, tools, and appliances have come from Sears. They also only sell high quality items instead of that cheap crap at bigger retailers. I’m so glad they continue to stick it out and compete for business.
Report Post »qzak491
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 4:41pmI went to sears to buy some sears brand tires, they didn’t even have sears tires.
Report Post »GPS-Tech
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 4:50pmYou get a lifetime warranty on their tools. I have traded in a few ratchets just because they had rust on them no questions asked.
Report Post »LetUsReason
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 5:07pmThe Sears Auto I went to was not honest, and it cost me. I will not be going back.
Report Post »isobamamadd
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 5:12pmwell then shop at China-MART, feed a communist Chinese’s kids.
Report Post »pdh42
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 5:17pmStill can not beat them on their high quality tools and their appliances aren’t bad either…. The rest I agree with you on….
Report Post »SAC crewdog
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 11:02pmI’ve rarely seen such a long trip to a punchline expressed in so few words. Well done!
Report Post »nancy364
Posted on November 5, 2011 at 3:39amNO customer service at Sears…they shouldn’t wonder why people stopped shopping there!!!!
Report Post »mexneck
Posted on November 5, 2011 at 10:55pmIt used to be that mechanics and others who needed dependable precision tools to make a living would get a good deal at Sears. I remember picking up some Craftsmen ratchets at the swap meet and then taking the broken ones to Sears for a “no questions asked” replacement. Then came the little form you had to fill out and not long after they quit replacing the tools unless you had the original receipt. That was bad enough but when I went to go get some precision tools and they said made in China that’s when I stopped shopping there. If I wanted cheap Chinese junk I could go to Harbor Freight. I don‘t support any business that doesn’t display Merry Christmas. Having a nativity scene out front will get you my dollars. They can shove their happy holidays.
Report Post »dontbotherme
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 4:26pmI hate to see all of the people who work for these establishments loose their jobs. When money is tight, it is spent only on the barest of necessities.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 4:22pmThese are the places that the “middle class” used to shop .. unfortunately Obama and the D‘s and progressive R’s have mostly destroyed the middle class … Record number of American’s are now on food stamps .. these are not “food stamp” businesses.
Report Post »broker0101
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 4:25pmBoth parties accuse the other of attempting to destroy (or of being “at war against”) The Middle Class. It’s a joke. It is ignorance, laziness and stupidity that is eroding the middle class.
Report Post »Emrys
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 4:54pmA culture that teaches gimme, gimme, gimme, without the value of work, is bound to destroy itself; the parties are just a reflection of the larger cultural mentality. It is very, very sad to see a nation fall from within.
Report Post »broker0101
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 4:16pmI would think at least one of the MANY companies that have been “boycotted” by Blazers would have made the list…… It’s almost as if the boycott threats of broke losers have absolutely no effect on businesses in America. Go figure.
Report Post »Banter
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 5:13pmSince you have been commenting on The Blaze for over a year, doesn’t that make you a Blazer, thus a broke loser as well? Must suck not to be as smart as you think you are, huh?
Report Post »kindling
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 5:34pmThe Blaze is calling for boyccotts? I was of the belief Glenn does not like boycotts. Who are you thinking we are told to boycott? I shop at Home Depot several times a week and didn’t know anything about any gay agenda. I will have to look into that. I did turn off my Verizon phone when the protested at a CEO’s house but I guess that is voting with your $s…and that is capitalism.
Report Post »Dinkiecb
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 4:03pmIf you don’t have a job, you don’t have the money to spend … if you don’t have what I need with what little money people have..your not going to sell. Thems the facts, and giving CEO‘s big bonus’s and high salaries for being stupid isn’t going to help anyone.
Report Post »broker0101
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 4:11pm“If you don’t have a job, you don’t have the money to spend … ” Then you are simply lazy and/or stupid. Now THEM are the facts.
Report Post »ZAP
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 4:22pmBROKER0101 lives in his mom`s basement.I know because he`s my cousin
Report Post »ReddenBlack
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 4:24pmZAP is a child molester. I know because I prosectued his case.
Report Post »1casawizard
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 10:55pm@REDDENBLACK is on my list. signed,Tony Montana
Report Post »Lion420
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 4:01pmHeh…I buy the same products you would get at these locations at a bloated price at…you guessed it…WAL-MART!!!!!!!
Report Post »dontbotherme
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 4:30pmLion420: No you don’t. Not possible. Walmart is a good store but it does not carry the same products, merchandise and brands as the above mentioned stores.
Report Post »Rational Man
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 4:58pmWal-Mart has it’s place and is a good store. But no one can beat Craftsman tools for quality, price and warranty. If it gets rusty, exchange it. No questions asked.
Report Post »Wal-Mart is a great place to buy underwear and socks. But not quality footwear and clothes for adults. They are ‘okay’ for groceries but not the best. Electronics and toiletries are ‘okay’, but selection and brands are limited. There are things I only get at Wal-Mart. I know some do, and I could sustian my life at Wal-Mart. But I’d rather not. And fortunately, I don’t have to…..Yet!
TulsaYeeHaw
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 6:36pm@Don’t Bother Me
UMM…Yes they do. With a few exceptions like craftsman tools, or specialty hardware.
Report Post »JLGunner
Posted on November 5, 2011 at 10:15amwal mart’s tools are chinese made and the brand is Popular Mechanics. Remember that magazine? When you buy the tools, just walk them over to the trash can and throw them away. Save yourself some aggravation.
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