R’Shack Outlines Go-Forward Strategy

I worked at Radio Shack during the \"glory\" days of the late 1970\'s and early 1980\'s. The Tandy Scholarship paid my tuition at TCU while I worked at the store by the skating rink at Tandy Center, thanks to Charles Tandy. Our products were quality; the cables and accessories were well made, and the TRS 80 was before it\'s time. Our fellow employees were well paid. We all KNEW the business: hi-fi enthusiast, shortwave radio, wiring, connections, etc. In my small town in East Texas where I started, customers KNEW where to come to for HONEST information on how to put up outside TV antennas without all the high profit needless add-ons. Could you go back to those principals? Get people who are \"into\" the business of electronics and give people honest answers to questions regarding Diamond-Gold -Platinum wrapped hook-up cables and Super Power Conditioners that must be used to get HD signal on that new LCD set? Could they become a neighborhood store again when someone needs help with their electronics? Could they sell quality cables, batteries, that are reasonably priced? When I was there, we made our first stab at video (with RCA) and it was unprofitable right from the start. Radio Shack was never a TV store!!!

I worked at Radio Shack during the "glory" days of the late 1970's and early 1980's. The Tandy Scholarship paid my tuition at TCU while I worked at the store by the skating rink at Tandy Center, thanks to Charles Tandy. Our products were quality; the cables and accessories were well made, and the TRS 80 was before it's time. Our fellow employees were well paid. We all KNEW the business: hi-fi enthusiast, shortwave radio, wiring, connections, etc. In my small town in East Texas where I started, customers KNEW where to come to for HONEST information on how to put up outside TV antennas without all the high profit needless add-ons. Could you go back to those principals? Get people who are "into" the business of electronics and give people honest answers to questions regarding Diamond-Gold -Platinum wrapped hook-up cables and Super Power Conditioners that must be used to get HD signal on that new LCD set? Could they become a neighborhood store again when someone needs help with their electronics? Could they sell quality cables, batteries, that are reasonably priced? When I was there, we made our first stab at video (with RCA) and it was unprofitable right from the start. Radio Shack was never a TV store!!!

Hey, John (the first commentor)- You\'re absolutely right, but take it a step further. The New Guys have forgotten the core customer of the Shack, and just like Nextel, have lost them completely. This started before the current set of New Guys, almost before Dave got in there (for a minute). But unlike Nextel, RadioShack is capable of doing something different, albeit only slightly different. Which leaves the $20m dollar question: now what? I wouldn\'t want to be Julian Day. But he pulled a rabbit out of a hat for K-Mart; let\'s hope he can do the same for R\'Shack.

Hey, John (the first commentor)- You're absolutely right, but take it a step further. The New Guys have forgotten the core customer of the Shack, and just like Nextel, have lost them completely. This started before the current set of New Guys, almost before Dave got in there (for a minute). But unlike Nextel, RadioShack is capable of doing something different, albeit only slightly different.
Which leaves the $20m dollar question: now what?
I wouldn't want to be Julian Day. But he pulled a rabbit out of a hat for K-Mart; let's hope he can do the same for R'Shack.

Who Cares? die Already? so you, my fellow poster are FOR More economy down turn? thats what it sounds like to me.. I dont know how many people are on staff at Radio Shack.. But i am sure its 30K +, not to meantion all the store fronts they lease, that would cause an even bigger ripple effect on the local shopping centers and malls. just think of all the tax sales that this company generates for all the local cities they are in...so for you to say who cares die already, makes you out to be a anti-American! todays economy is suffering enough with out more negative puke coming from your mouth. So do us all a favor and keep your comments to yourself, since it seems to be nothing but negative garbage. go back to russia you commie b@stard

Who Cares? die Already? so you, my fellow poster are FOR More economy down turn? thats what it sounds like to me.. I dont know how many people are on staff at Radio Shack.. But i am sure its 30K +, not to meantion all the store fronts they lease, that would cause an even bigger ripple effect on the local shopping centers and malls. just think of all the tax sales that this company generates for all the local cities they are in...so for you to say who cares die already, makes you out to be a anti-American! todays economy is suffering enough with out more negative puke coming from your mouth. So do us all a favor and keep your comments to yourself, since it seems to be nothing but negative garbage. go back to russia you commie b@stard

WHO CARES, DIE ALREADY...

WHO CARES, DIE ALREADY...

Radio Shack once enjoyed a brand loyal collection of customers who have been eschewed by those who have made a concerted effort to destroy the company in their theory of \"what was, was not good enough so let\'\'\'\'s redo it\". Folks, Charles Tandy was not a dope nor Lew Kornfeld! Unfortunately these guys and gals running the company haven\'\'\'\'t figured that out yet! For 20 years I watched this once incredible brand shoot to it\'\'\'\'s apogee only to crash as the boys from \"outside\" the company came in with all their great ideas but stood there looking on while the whole thing crashed around their feet. Yes the sky has fallen chicken little\'\'\'\'s. Now the present crop of outside management are standing there with their heads down stamping on the ashes hoping one of the embers will reignite while muttering what happened? Contrary to popular belief of the current MBA crowd it does pay to occasionally look backward to see what worked!

Radio Shack once enjoyed a brand loyal collection of customers who have been eschewed by those who have made a concerted effort to destroy the company in their theory of "what was, was not good enough so let''''s redo it". Folks, Charles Tandy was not a dope nor Lew Kornfeld!
Unfortunately these guys and gals running the company haven''''t figured that out yet! For 20 years I watched this once incredible brand shoot to it''''s apogee only to crash as the boys from "outside" the company came in with all their great ideas but stood there looking on while the whole thing crashed around their feet. Yes the sky has fallen chicken little''''s.
Now the present crop of outside management are standing there with their heads down stamping on the ashes hoping one of the embers will reignite while muttering what happened?
Contrary to popular belief of the current MBA crowd it does pay to occasionally look backward to see what worked!