The Death of the Merchant Class

There is only one boss. The customer. And he can fire everybody in the company from the chairman on down, simply by spending his money somewhere else. – Sam Walton

Yesterday, two American icons, Kmart and Sears, merged to form the #3 retailer in the country. These two American giants have suffered outdated bureaucracy, ruthless competition and inefficiency for a long time, they'e time is past. And so it ends, 100 years of retailing excellence gone with the flick of a modem.

FC knows it is naïve sentiment but, Christ, this is Sears. Founded in 1893, Sears was a crucial force in unifying America as the county migrated westward, setting styles for a generation of Americans. Whether you needed a wedding dresses, a new gun or tires, Sears was the ultimate reflection of a middle class desires, reflecting an ethic and a culture that seems to slowly be fading into the past. The combination of ultra low-cost retailing, cheap Asian manufacturing and an increasing rich/poor divide has made quaint ideas like saving up for “something nice at Sears” an anachronism. Why save for anything, right? Buy now! It’s cheap and you’re doing it all on credit, anyway.

This may be the last nail in the coffin of any soul in retailing. After all, in the past people made the same doomsday predictions about Sears and Malls killing main street they make about Wal-Mart, this deal takes it to the next level, now everyone who survives must be Wal-Mart. Clearly, the pattern that will not change. This deal, directed at the auspices of Sears/Kmarts new CEO, Andrew Lampert, a Connecticut Hedge Fund Manager, will now sell America “labels” exclusively manufactured in the 3rd world by people who neither desire nor can afford the products he sells. Any old ideas like craftsmanship, personal relationships, community respect - old-style retailing – will be removed from the process - the haberdasher, the product expert, you’re advocate, replaced the computer. Lambert will optimized and cut, going beyond the nihilists in Arkansas to win, and all consumers will end up with is an ends justifies the means experience with no local culture or ideas. Then, of course, when they are done with reorganization the new entity will be re-branded back to you by trying to capture both stores lost glories – “we’ve served America for 100 years”, “we’re your neighbors and friends” and, most of all, “we are super-duper nice.” All lies to make you think you still matter in the process, you do not, and you are number and keystroke. Customers can only sit by and watch as they’re lives are optimized and the craftsmen and makers disappear from America life.

So here’s to America’s makers and doers, here’s to real things, Made in America, may we enjoy them while they are still here, it won’t be long now when they’ll all be gone.

Comments

Sad indeed.

[Mark]

Amen. A family memeber worked for Sears for over 40 years. The company I knew as a kid is gone. What a shame.