Since last fall, I've noticed the declining quality of our store brand apparel. It's reached it's lowest point: for those not paying attention the vast majority of softlines products Sears sells are simply rebranded from Kmart. Some items have come in recently labeled as "Kmart" on their UPC tags; even before they were at least fully relabeled. What grinds my gears is their b---s--- attempts to overcharge for the same quality merchandise. One example: the men's beanies, which are "member priced" 9.99 at Sears when that's their regular price at Kmart. That's just sale prices: I know Sears has inflated original prices before on their stuff, but it's pitiful how they still do it when the merchandise is being sold at their sister stores for a lower price every time. Why make Sears' home goods, shoes and apparel compete directly with Kmart? Isn't this counterintuitive to increasing sales? Why even go through making two different brandings for every product? This whole thing seems like another stupid blunder on SHC's part.
4 replies (most recent on top)
Less Kmart private labels have quit sending stuff than Sears private labels. With all the vendors not shipping stuff, trying to keep shelves stocked by any means necessary is the priority, the the point that even decade+ old inventory is fair game. It's simple as that.
they don't even change the brand names here, simply basic is the exact same stuff over at the kmart, except twice the price
The multiple brandings were just one of many things contributing to Sears' excessive administrative overhead costs.
The quality of Craftsman and Kenmore has been in decline since at least the mid 90’s. Why are you surprised about anything else?