Dear Mr. Kay
It is with deep disappointment that I learned of the class action lawsuit you initiated. For almost 20 years we have worked cooperatively with our Hometown store owners in order to serve families in smaller communities across Canada.
We are actively looking for ways to grow, improve and invest in our Hometown network to better serve our customers. In late 2012 we worked with six Hometown store owners to help refresh their stores; we have identified 11 markets where we would like to open new stores and are actively recruiting owners; and we have identified more than 20 stores we believe would greatly benefit from a refresh, expansion or relocation.
It was with great pride that we opened our new 25,000 square foot store in Orillia in June, and I can tell you personally that the grand opening was warmly received by the community.
In response to your letter dated July 17, 2013, let me say that I have always taken pride in how open and accessible I am to our partners in business, including our Hometown store owners.
You must now understand that your actions, including the filing of the claim and the subsequent issuance of a press release as well as the tone of your letter make individual conversations between us much more difficult. It did not go unnoticed that you copied your legal counsel on your recent correspondence and referenced the threat of increased negative publicity.
Unless I see a sincere desire to have a sit down and discuss matters, without any kind of threats on your part, be it legal or otherwise, I do not believe it will be a productive meeting.
Sincerely,
Calvin McDonald
Calvin McDonald
President & CEO
Sears Canada Inc.
290 Yonge Street, Suite 700 | Toronto, ON | M5B 2C3
Interesting that Calvin refers to the opening of the Orillia store when speaking about the Hometown network. Yes....a former Hometown Owner now runs the store, but doesn't Sears hold the lease? That's not apples to apples Calvin.
ReplyDeleteIt is shameful to see how a CEO of such a large company strays away from the actual topic and starts talking about grand opening and communities. Get the facts: these smaller communities that you talk about, would not be shopping at sears if it were not for the dealers doing a fantastic job of serving them and representing Sears as a company.
ReplyDeleteThe pride that you bring upon yourself for refreshing the six stores (other than the 70% -- not sustainable stores), you may want to tell the public what kind of stores and sizes they were and why you invested in those cherry picked stores only. Was it really necessary? As a matter of fact, aren’t a few of those thinking of closing as well? Why couldn’t you have helped the entire chain instead of letting most of them die?
My heart goes out to you dealers who work so hard without thinking of yourselves just because you want to keep a family happy in your town. Tell these corporate pencil pushers to get of their chairs and come help me load a fridge on my truck or deliver a parcel personally to my elderly neighbor, or to remember my child’s birthday and call to wish her in the morning before the store opens. All this, only happens only in a SMALL COMMUNITY.
I would rather see you all go and leave behind the wonderful memories that many of mine and past generations have had of SEARS. Don’t sacrifice yourselves anymore.
I am sure your local communities would be there for you if needed to rally for support. You definitely got mine. Sears needs to share the pie.
Wow....when I read what the Sears Canada President is saying and what the VP of Hometown Stores is saying I become speechless. Are their heads buried in sand...how many times do they have to be told that the formula for Hometown Stores is broken.Just look around and add up all the closures and all the closures that are coming. There is not enough money in the equation to sustain this business much longer.
ReplyDeleteEither change it or shut the whole dam thing down. Please.
One cannot help but wonder if the root of the problem is due in large part to US ownership. Wouldn't it be great to come under Canadian control again...Canadian values and mutual respect! ......just dreaming!
ReplyDelete