Sears Seeking Dealer for Appliance Store
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| A Kenmore washer and dryer set. |
Now the nationwide chain is seeking the right person to bring a branch of the historic retailer back to North Adams.
Arthur Burke, regional development manager for Sears Dealer stores, said the company is looking for a local entrepreneur to operate the store, which will carry a wide array of appliances and electronics.
The right dealer will complete the package - the area has the demographic numbers and the city several good locations that could contain a store.
"It's about finding the right location," said Burke last week. "This is a targeted market and a good site for situating a Sears store."
It also means finding the right dealer-store owner, who'll have to be customer-service oriented and willing to provide the framework to make the store successful. That person will have to ante up $10,000; another $50,000 to $70,000 is needed for the initial investment.
Sears Authorized Retail Dealer Store program was established in the early 1990s as a way to keep the Sears name in rural areas. A number of the 860 dealer stores across the nation were former catalog stores (nearly 2,000 were closed in 1993); some were purchased by longtime employees.
While the store owner is responsible for rent, payroll, taxes and related expenses, Sears supplies the merchandise. The owner takes a commission, the size of which is dependent on the merchandise and other factors.
"The Sears Dealer Store program is not considered a franchise program because Sears does not require an individual to purchase inventory or pay an annual licensing fee," Burke explained in a press release. The retail giant provides network support for inventory control, advertisement and delivery.
Stores range in size from 6,000 square feet to 10,000 square feet. There are several good locations, said Burke, and one of the best candidates is the former Kmart Garden Shop next to the North Adams Cinema.
Burke said there have been good discussions with Neil Ellis of First Hartford Realty, which owns the former Kmart building. He also said Mayor John Barrett III has been extremely helpful in providing contacts and information.
Sears is planning to sell a wide range of electronics by GE, Sony, RCA and others; Crafstmen tools; lawn and garden equipment; car and boat batteries, and, of course, a line of Kenmore appliances. Repair and installation services will also be offered.
The store will feature an online version of Sears' famed catalog. Customers will be able to order through the store and have their merchandise delivered there. "You wouldn't have to have it shipped to your home," said Burke.
"We want the new Sears Dealer store to be the appliance and electronics superstore in North Adams," said Steve Titus, vice president and general manager of the Sears Dealer Stores, in the press release.
The new store would be an expanded version of the Sears catalog store on Main Street that used to sell select appliances and lawn and garden equipment, and other specials.
Burke described the dealer stores as among "the hottest growth opportunities." There are now dealer stores in 48 states; the store in North Adams will be the third in Massachusetts. There are stores in Great Barrington and Ware, and across the border in Bennington, Vt.
Another Bennington name is also coming to North Adams; Label Shopper, a discount brand chain of Peter Harris Clothes, is expected to open in the former Fashion Bug location in the L-Shaped Mall. Label Shopper also has a store near J.C. Penney's in Bennington.
For additional information on becoming a Sears dealer, contact Burke at 603-548-0408. A open house for interested dealers has been tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 20, from 4 to 7 at the Holiday Inn; look for the ad.
