Regarding the K-Mart buyout of Sears, CNN had this to say...

[mdhunter]

"Imagine going into Kmart and buying a Sears Craftsman tool set, or buying Kmart's Martha Stewart home products at Sears."

I don't know, but this struck me as terribly funny. Yes, can you imagine, it's simple too much...of all the good things in the world, it's high time that I can get Craftsman tools in a K-Mart. Doing something about global warming, ending war, fuck that hippy shit, just imagine the super shopping convenience!

And perhaps the funniest thing is that someone, somewhere, undoubtedly said this with a straight face.

Just chalk it up as another reason to be concerned about the fate of free-thinking liberalism.

[billyoc]

1. Just imagining going into a K-Mart

is surreal enough for me. :)

[shaolinmonkey]

2. Isn't Kmart bankrupt? How can they be buying Sears?

I also thought the same thing, "imagine the possibilities!"

Give me a fucking break. I was in the mall last weekend for 30 minutes and considered seppeku.

[Phillycat]

4. Sears bought KMart.

It is operating under the aegis of "Sears Holding Company" but both stores will retain their current names.

[underpants]

8. Remember that K-Mart was broke a few years ago

Did they actually declare bankruptcy? I forget

Anyway their undoing started when K-Mart tried to move up in the retail ladder and basically become what Target is today. This just never made sense to me-no matter what they do the image of K-Mart is pretty much stuck in everyone's mind as the cheap crap store (pre Walmart mind you) and in some areas the K-mart is basically the general store. This is also why the Martha Stewart thing (that was part of the move up) never made sense-people go to K-Mart to get cheap sheets and towels not designer stuff.

But who am I to second guess I'm no CEO.

[Phillycat]

9. They did declare bankruptcy.

I imagine this deal with Sears has been in the works since then, and it's probably the only thing that's kept them afloat.

[BigMcLargehuge]

10. not really, they closed a bunch of stores

and dropped a whole lot of employees, renegotiated with their suppliers, and worked their way out of bankruptcy. They stock which dipped below 15 bucks a share during the bankruptcy hearing and subsequent restructuring, rebounded to 101 a share over the last three profitable quarters.

Do I shop there often? No, but their diapers are cheaper than the supermarket, and so are their hotwheels cars (my son is 3 and LOVES Hot Wheels cars). But any competitor of Wal Mart, gets a few notches from me.

I still usually shop at independent stores for essentials, whenever possible.

[Phillycat]

11. Okay, I'll be stopping posting on this thread now...

Sorry to not have every fact of KMart's bankruptcy at my fingertips. :eyes:

[BigMcLargehuge]

12. touchy touchy... sheesh

I was just adding in what I read this morning. I didn't mean it as an insult.

[Phillycat]

13. I AM touchy...I'm stressed.

Accept my apology, please. :)

[BigMcLargehuge]

14. Accepted :)

:hug:

[Phillycat]

15. Thanks!

It's amazing how you can overreact about nothing when you've got other shit going on, isn't it? Sometimes I wonder if I'm actually still 12 years old... :hug:

[BigMcLargehuge]

16. stress is a funny thing that way

happens to me too sometimes :)

Good luck with your interviewees today!

:hi:

[flvegan]

3. Wait'll WalMart buys KMart

Cuz, I'm sure that'll happen sooner or later. Then, if you want Craftsman...tough shit. You'll have to buy some piss-ass knockoff crap made in Talawonkanesia because they can crank 'em out 10% cheaper.

Welcome to DU, BTW!

[Phillycat]

5. Not to mention it's totally inaccurate.

The stores are going to remain the same. There will be no cross-pollination of products. The only difference is that they're both owned by Sears now.

[BigMcLargehuge]

6. actually, sears "bought" 50 KMart stores too

as part of the deal, and they will be renamed, restocked, and rearranged. We have on in town here that is changing over to a Sears after March 1st.

Say what you want, Sears is very good to their employees. They pay well, maintain a good retirement plan, and have maintained the pay and benefits for their employees called up to serve in the armed forces for this idiotic war.

[Piperay]

17. Yes, my father worked for Sears

till he retired and they always did right by him.

[dr.strangelove]

7. I am glad about the Craftsman thing.

I live very close to a Home Depot and a K-Mart. I have always preferred Craftsman Tools to the Home Depot low end crap. I can't afford Milwaukee or the other high end stuff, so Craftsman has always worked for me. I look forward to buying craftsman tools in K-mart. I don;t really see any other benefit to me out of this merger, but the availability of craftsman tools within 20 miles of my house sounds nice. I plan to buy a brad nailer and a table saw after the tax returns come next year. Hopefully I'll get them at k-mart. We'll see what the plans are though. I may need to order them online.

[Politicub]

18. Hilarious!

I will be forever joyous because of this merger.

Martha Stewart at Sears!
Craftsman at K-Mart!

This is the stuff that dreams are made of.

LMAO!!