Radio Shack says it’ll close up to 1,100 ‘underperforming’ stores

Troubled times for one of the few national non-food/drink retailers with multiple stores in West Seattle. Radio Shack announced this morning that it’s closing up to 1,100 “underperforming” stores across the country – about a fifth of its locations. The company did not announce which stores it’ll close, so we don’t know whether either local outlet (Junction, Westwood Village) will be affected. The announcement came as Radio Shack announced a sales drop and operating loss last quarter. (Thanks to Bob for the tip.)

Brian March 4, 2014 (9:05 am)

Crazy Idea: Amazon buys RadioShack and stocks their top 500 best selling products in the stores plus has more locations for their Amazon Locker service.

Ray March 4, 2014 (9:30 am)

Not a bad idea. However Radio Shack has such a poor in-store selection (and service) that I bet Amazon already beats the quantity of products and price at this time.

Seahawks Momma March 4, 2014 (10:34 am)

When you’ve become too big this is what happens. Starbucks did this about five years ago. Radio Shack has internal problems and maybe actually going out of business soon.

Ralph March 4, 2014 (10:47 am)

With people like you two. Wanting to save a Penny all the time and not supporting your LOCAL business, It no wonder that your local businesses are dieing out. Spend you money with your LOCAL business First. Then if that local folks, ie the same people that are on the VFD, don’t have it in stock-order it from them. If you are going to order it, order it from them. SUPPORT your LOCAL people.

Diane March 4, 2014 (11:19 am)

sure hope we don’t lose the junction store; love having an easy to access electronics store where I can pop in for an item, or ask questions; the staff there have been very helpful, and knowledgeable
~
also nostalgic, sort of like Sears; when I started my babysitting service in the late 70’s up in Ketchum/Sun Valley ski resort, there were zero stores in town to get anything remotely electronic; via a Radio Shack catalog, I ordered my first answering machine, which was all I needed to run a biz with clients calling from all over the country
~
and, couple years ago when I was finally so sick of horrible service and insanely high price of Verizon cell phone, I was able to get my new Virgin Mobile PayLo cell phone at the junction Radio Shack; they were super helpful; I’ve also gone there for basics like accessory items; I really hope we don’t lose this store

junctioneer March 4, 2014 (11:34 am)

Ralph–I assume you are talking about Radio Shack. Funny thing, you could be talking about either business. Amazon is more local than Radio Shack by many measures.

Radio Shack has been selling over-priced “iPhone” ready products to people who don’t know they don’t need to pay $30 for a $3 cable for far too long, I can’t encourage anyone to go there unless they are truly desperate.

Monty Burns March 4, 2014 (12:44 pm)

Behold my greatest creation Smithers!! Ohhhh and that fellow at Radio Shack said I was mad!!

Krm66 March 4, 2014 (12:53 pm)

Ralph- isn’t Radio Shack based in TX?

HelperMonkey March 4, 2014 (1:02 pm)

as many LOCAL people that I know are employed by Amazon, I consider shopping at Amazon to be shopping LOCAL.

onion March 4, 2014 (1:26 pm)

Radio Shack is a great go-to spot for electronic odds and ends that I am not even sure where I would be able to buy otherwise. I hope the Junction store makes the cut, although I have wondered many times how they stay in business.

Diane March 4, 2014 (1:53 pm)

there are local people employed at Radio Shack also

Alki Guy March 4, 2014 (2:27 pm)

I agree with Onion. They have bailed me out many times when I have needed a cable, etc. I have also had good service from the local Shack.

West Sea Neighbor March 4, 2014 (2:36 pm)

Oh no, where will I go for a $27 USB cable now?

datamuse March 4, 2014 (3:41 pm)

I’ve been to the Westwood Radio Shack three times. Each time I got terrible service and paid far too much for it.

If they want my business they could try acting like it.

Ray March 4, 2014 (4:12 pm)

Ralph,

I am supporting local. Thousands of people in the Puget Sound work for Amazon.

Plus, their prices are much better than Radio Shack. The selection is much larger than Radio Shack. And the service is MUCH BETTER than Radio Shack.

Even if I did not live in Seattle, I would chose Amazon over Radio Shack at any point.

trickycoolj March 4, 2014 (4:27 pm)

Not a lot of other places to but electronic components but it’s not like they stock many resistors and capacitors anymore. For that basic of circuitry, Frys also has an aisle or two devoted to components. Radio Shack has lost so much focus. Are you a literal electronics (components and internal computer parts) or a cell phone kiosk?

sam-c March 4, 2014 (5:09 pm)

onion: try goodwill. my husband had to replace some cable and found one at goodwill for a MUCH better price than the same item at Radio shack.

we got our DTV converters at Radio shack, but I guess next time we buy anything like that, we’ll just get a new tv.

wes cider March 4, 2014 (6:23 pm)

Does Radio Shack still ask for your phone number when making a purchase? That’s why I stopped shopping there.

Paul March 4, 2014 (6:29 pm)

The service and prices at Radio Shack are terrible. Would love to see a locally based business assume the space.

trickycoolj March 4, 2014 (9:51 pm)

Ray I feel the same, shopping Amazon is supporting thousands of jobs at HQ in downtown Seattle where many of our neighbors work. Not all corps are evil, if we didn’t have them we wouldn’t have our vibrant community we have. Every one of 80-some thousand Boeing workers creates 5 jobs in the community. Same probably goes for Amazon, Starbucks, Microsoft, UW….

Da pugs March 4, 2014 (10:02 pm)

Are they going to level the radio shack on Cali ave and make it a 20 person live /work unit with 1 parking spot for dogs ? Maybe 4 town houses and a litter box?

Sorry, comment time is over.