If we all have to buy a new device for the home that's a combination of a TV and PC, Sears is the largest seller of home appliances today in America. Whatever that appliance is, it's going to require installation, which would leverage their home services business.
The secret to survive is you have to have a clear identity and clear brand.
This will give Sears good positioning on the near-term basis with AOL, but, on a longer-term basis, it probably could be a fabulous opportunity for them. It depends upon when broadband will become of age.
They're kind of exploring, or putting their toe in the water.
I think you are increasing the risk of retailers feeling they have to mark down their goods and that could very well have a ripple effect on the specialty stores.
They decided to take a less promotional posture this season.
Everyone is seeing that the Internet is happening and becoming bigger and bigger with each week. You really have to get in the game.
It's a good, strategic move, a good partnership. Sears is trying to jump into the e-commerce world in a pretty big way, focusing on their strengths and their hardware lines and appliances and home areas.
