I knew it went bankrupt and then came back.. but yes doing very well. Basically, in my world, there is WMT and everyone else. Surprised me how much Kmart had in their booty.
Further, it is hard to compare when it is "US" versus "USA". Sears Canada has done very bad - got rid of the CEO. The clothing quality has really gone downhill. If Sears wants to compete with Wal-mart forget it. There is no chance. They have a great selection of hardware and durables - but they have to keep their other departments fresh and of good quality. Well maybe today this helps Kmart and Sears against WMT.
Last night's Frontline was quite an eye opener though. Never knew the downfall of Rubbermaid was directly related to Wal-mart. Really a good program -- and as we probably already know - if Wal-mart starts having problems - the entire economy of the US will suffer.
But watching it does show - that although walmart as a retailer is sharp as a tack - they pray on the stupid shopper. I know for sure that Walmart has great prices but not everything is a great deal. And I pick and choose. The day I "ass/u/me" WMT is a good deal is the day I become a stupid shopper. (yes, I am tending to go there regardless of the deals elsewhere - because I only have so much time and figure most of the stuff at WMT will be cheaper than elsewhere).
Recently I posted the message about the pharmacy differences between Walmart and Loblaw -- the actual Cold medicine - which cost me $4 from L versus $7 WMT - was made by the SAME MANUFACTURER out in Winnipeg.
The difference is merely markup (duh but of course..) -- but up to now when you bot a NO NAME you could compare something in a different store but the product wasn't 100% equal. But you can see FIRST HAND the difference when you can match the SAME 10)% identical "NO NAME" products made by the same manufacturer, in different stores.
Today HBC did this (price holding around $14 lately):
Hudson Bay shakes-up leadership team
TORONTO, Nov 17 (Reuters) - Hudson's Bay Co (HBC.TO: Quote, Profile, Research) , Canada's oldest corporation, is streamlining its retail units and shaking up its leadership team in a bid to lift sales, the company said on Wednesday.
The Bay and Zellers will continue to operate with their own brands but the merchandise, marketing and store operations will be supported by a single structure.
Marc Chouinard, who is currently the Bay and Home outfitters' chief operating officer, will assume the role of president of HBC's merchandising group. Thomas Haig, currently chief operating officer with Zellers, will assume the role of president of HBC stores and specialty divisions.
The retailer has already aligned some parts of its units, including introducing Bay products in Zellers stores and moving to a single HBC rewards program and credit card.
The company said the creation of a single merchandise and marketing structure will allow it to deliver better value.
Shares of HBC rose 40 Canadian cents, or 2.8 percent, to C$14.38 shortly after the Toronto Stock Exchange opened.
Blake
"When you have to shoot, shoot. Don't talk."
Tuco (The Good, the Bad and the Ugly)
"An umbrella with holes is better than no umbrella at all."
Dr. Alexander Elder on using stops.
