Jim, you’re spot on. You sound like you know your stuff... perhaps you should take the helm!
I certainly could do no worse.
Think of all the money wasted on this stupid ‘everyday low pricing’ and color coded cost structure. No way would they ever beat out the big box Wal-Mart and Targets on pricing. They needed service and selection along with rapid online purchase with free delivery and no questions asked free returns from a network of warehouses, PLUS a more middle of the road Middle Class marketing stressing quality and value.
They had to be competitive with Macy’s, NOT Target or K-Mart/Sears. They blew it. Ron Johnson is to blame and he and the entire board should be out on the street and in court for malfeasance.
This was a more avoidable disaster than the Exon Valdez accident. At least Joe Hazelwood was drunk at the time of the accident. Johnson and the board where presumably conscious and sober. They are guilty of criminal stupidity!