Hartsville Sears celerates dealer stores anniversary

By Messenger Staff Reports

Published: July 18, 2008

HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL – Fifteen years ago this year, the Sears Authorized Retail Dealer Store format was developed to serve customers in locations outside of major metropolitan cities. The program still operates today under the original design which pairs talented entrepreneurs that posses excellent business management and customer service skills with Sears’ reputation for quality products and services.

The Sears store in Hartsville is one of those stores.

Hartsville’s store opened its doors in August 1999, store manager Dean Lee said.

The store has been successful as well, Lee said. “Actually, we have grown until the last couple of years in the economy,“ Lee said. The housing boom in the last few years really helped business in Hartsville, but Lee said growth has tapered since the decline in the economy recently.

Lee said the Hartsville store generally posted five to six percent growth each year up until the recent downturn in the economy. “When the housing boom quit,“ he said, “it slowed down a little. Other than that, we had been growing every year.“

The Hartsville store posted the largest margin of growth in the district in 2002, according to Lee, with 13 percent.

Lee said it has been great being a part of the Hartsville community. He said the community is a tight-knit community, and it has been nice to be a part of that.

As a result of a strong partnership, over the years the company has grown from approximately 120 stores to nearly 900 stores nationwide. “We are proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish together as a team focused on providing quality brands of home appliances, consumer electronics, tools and lawn and garden equipment coupled with exceptional customer service,” said Steve Titus, vice president and general manager of Sears dealer stores.

Successful business ownership requires a lot of talent, experience and effort.

“We are privileged to partner with hundreds of dedicated individuals that own and operate local Sears Authorized Retail Dealer-ships. These individuals are devoted, hard working individuals that take great pride in serving their communities and representing Sears throughout the United States,” said Titus.

Sears Dealer Stores

Sears Dealer Stores, part of the retail operation of Sears Holdings Corporation, is comprised of 880 stores which are primarily independently-owned and predominantly located in smaller communities nationwide. Most Sears Dealer Stores offer appliances, consumer electronics, lawn and garden equipment, tools, fitness equipment, tractor and boat batteries and mattresses. Dealer Stores carry proprietary Sears brands, such as Craftsman, Kenmore and DieHard, as well as a wide assortment of national brands.