I have watched Lampert just totally ride Sears and KMart all the way down the flusher. From my admitted non-professional position, it sure does seem that Lampert never really sought to try and do anything more than quick fixes based upon short-term goals which might result in more financing options. The reality is, it seems, is that Lampert played this thing until he wrung out every last financial drop like a squeezed turnip and no one would give him anymore credit.
Over the years there have been many constants about Lampert’s tenure...
One being he won’t listen to anyone with Retail experience... Running Sears like a hedge fund... making departments compete against each other for resources.. no common message, theme, nothing...
Sears was a company that was FOUNDED on mail order... if there was a company that SHOULD have been able to navigate the world of Brick and Mortar and Online... Sears was one that had the historical pedigree to do it...
When he took the helm, Sears still had a strong hold on appliances... but as the box stores moved into that space, Sears never defended its position. I can walk into HD or Lowes and buy the same thing, cheaper and get it delivered faster... (Ever dealt with Sears subcontracted delivery service?.... or their subcontracted/licensed repair service)?
Its depressing, Sears was a great american Company, and it may have died anyway... but watching the insanity that Lampert engaged in with it has been beyond depressing to watch...
Maybe someone will manage to rise it from the Ashes... but its had its identity destroyed for nearly 2 decades now... It doesn’t even register in consumers minds to go to Sears, if they are under 50... because if they have, they have pretty much been shown there is NOTHING there for them... and if it is, its price is too high.
There was a time Sears was the first place you remotely thought about going to shop for ANYTHING... but anyone under my age, of nearly 50,probably never even thinks of the store... and even someone like me who will give Sears a shot, every now and again, when I need something... finds themselves not finding what they need, or dealing with terrible service.. not in the store per se, but by the subcontractors Sears has using their name.