Quote:
Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch
At one time they were more then a trusted name, they were a retail icon. I can't tell you how many people would wait for that Christmas Catalog, and either every small towner would make the long drive to a major city. Or they'd fill in the order page on the back, tear it out, write a check, put it in the envelope and mail it off knowing that they'd get their bundle in 6 to 8 weeks.
They lost their market place because they refused to move out of the 60's.
At one time they had probably the most buying power of any retailer in the country, but they were pretty arrogant about that.
I remember getting that catalog and going to the massive toys section, I bought my first Star Wars figures from Sears, and my parents ordered the bucket o lego.
Then you'd look at the sporting goods section for the hockey gear and you'd circle the picture of the Bauer 501 Bobby Orr specials and tell your dad that you wanted him, and the old man would say "I hope you have the $25.00 cause that's a lot of money". Can you imagine now premium hockey skates for $25.00 today?
Then the parents left the room you'd wait a minute and flip over the ladies section to see the woman in what was probably sexy back then, bullet bra's and granny panties.
Once you were done, you'd take the spring and Christmas Catalogs and tape em to your legs and go out and play goal
"Ladies and Gentle, starting for the Philadelphia Flyers . . . Bernie Parent"
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Yeah, that's great and all, but the consumer moved on from catalogues and department stores, Sears did not. They were left in the dust, their reputation and trusted name nothing but a story parents and grandparents tell on Christmas Eve. And hockey forums.
