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What happened to Kmart?

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The first-ever Kmart branded store opened in 1962 in Michigan. From the jump, the big K was used heavily in the branding.

Once upon a time, the world of big-store retail was dominated by Kmart — not Walmart or Target or Amazon. That dominance is over, though, and Kmart is on its last legs.

What happened? How did the company have such a massive fall from grace? That’s what we’re going to explore today. This is the history of Kmart — from its beginning to its peak to its near collapse.

Humble beginnings

Everyone’s gotta start somewhere. For Kmart, it was in the deep Midwest of Detroit, Michigan. Only it wasn’t named Kmart at first. Instead, it was dubbed the S.S. Kresge Company — an absolute mouthful of a name. That name came from its original founder Sebastian S. Kresge, who opened up shop in 1899.

At first, the store was a discount one. Back in the 19th century, these were called five-and-dime stores because items usually cost around that five-cent to ten-cent mark. Because of inflation, these are what we call dollar stores today.

The Detroit store succeeded, which naturally meant expansion. By 1912, the store had 85 locations across the United States.

However, the Kmart you know and remember didn’t really come to fruition until 1962. That’s when the first-ever Kmart store opened in Garden City, Michigan. As you can guess, the K in the name represents the original founder, Kresge, who died only four years after this new start began.

The first-ever Kmart branded store opened in 1962 in Michigan. From the jump, the big K was used heavily in the branding.

The first-ever Kmart branded store opened in 1962 in Michigan. From the jump, the big K was used heavily in the branding.

Photo courtesy of Cincinnati Inquirer

Once the name changed, the Kmart franchise saw an explosion in popularity the rest of that decade and into the ‘70s. It became one of, if not, the leading discount retailers stateside. By this time, the five-and-dine concept was outdated. But Kmart still was about discounted items at its core and infiltrated every corner of the US — from the lucrative California market to middle-of-nowhere Nebraska.

History of Bankruptcies

At this point, Kmart and bankruptcies go hand in hand. It’s happened on several different occasions, and the fact that Kmart is still standing after them is a small miracle in itself.

Kmart was riding high going into the ‘80s but the competition also stiffened. Most notably, Target and Walmart came for Kmart’s neck with similar discount pricing. Once Kmart lost its status as the cheapest place to buy so-and-so household items, it’s market differentiator was gone.

From this point on, Kmart became a hot-potato type of brand. In 1984, it was acquired by retail holding company, American Fare Inc. They took out significant debt to make the deal happen, which ended up hurting Kmart and the holding company at-large. These financial constraints led to Kmart filing for its first Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1990.

This is the first time that Kmart dodged permanent closing. It never reached its previous business peak as competition intensified, but it stayed afloat thanks to restructuring and constant management changes.

Business continued to ebb and flow into the ‘90s before they went bankrupt once more in 2002, once again via Chapter 11. Though for a second time, it managed to stay alive.

In fact, the now-Kmart Holdings Company tried to expand to salvage the business. During the mid-00s, it acquired the Sears brand — which was the number-one retailer in the pre-Kmart days.

However, both Kmart and Sears continued to hemorrhage money in the ensuing years. Each brand was representative of a time bygone. This was also the time when e-commerce and Amazon became a thing — which caught the Kmart Holdings Company flat-footed again. The organization never quite figured out the Internet, which proved to be its death sentence.

In 2018, bankruptcy came falling again — this time for good. When it reported for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, numerous stores up and down the United States began closing up shop. This piled up until Kmart was left as a skeleton of its former self.

Last Kmart Stores

In 2022, Kmart closed down its store in Avenel, New Jersey — just 15 miles south of New York City. With that, the franchise is left with three stores still standing. Only three — a far cry from the 2,300 or so it had in the ‘90s.

The last standing stores are as follows:

  • Westwood, New Jersey
  • Bridgehampton on New York’s Long Island
  • Miami, Florida

There’s a few other stores worldwide, but these are the last holdouts on the continental United States. And honestly, all three are in danger of permanently closing themselves. We could be a few short years away from Kmart being gone for good.

Lessons From Kmart’s Demise

This is more than just a nostalgia piece on the once almighty brand known as Kmart. No, we want it to be a case study on where and why Kmart went wrong. That’s why we wanted to close out this article with business lessons from Kmart’s collapse. Here’s what future retailers can learn from Kmart.

The first is the importance of adaptability. Society will change. Technology will change. Consumers will change. It’s on individual businesses to monitor these changes and adapt accordingly.

Kmart failed to do that — most notably with the Internet. Not being able to predict consumers would turn to Internet buying is almost laughable in hindsight. Kmart was sagging when the Internet came to be, but if they would’ve pivoted and rode the new trend, they could’ve easily revived themselves. Alas, it was not to be.

Lesson number two is on differentiation. If you’re successful, competitors will copy you and what makes you different. For Kmart, that was steep discounted prices. Businesses have to be prepared for these types of events, and find a way to differentiate themselves some more.

Kmart did not do that. If anything, their competitors became better discounters, which stole their reputation for low prices right underneath their noses. Kmart had nothing else to fall back on (e.g. top-notch customer service or unique product offering), which made them forgettable for consumers. Forget long enough and you end up with only three stores left as Kmart currently sits.

 

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BUSINESS

Merchant Services Partner Program: A Lucrative Opportunity for Businesses

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Merchant Services Partner Program

Merchant services partner programs have become increasingly popular in recent years as more businesses seek to expand their offerings and increase revenue streams. These programs allow companies to partner with merchant service providers to offer payment processing services to their customers. By doing so, businesses can increase their revenue by earning a percentage of the transaction fees charged by the merchant service provider.

One of the main benefits of joining a merchant services partner program is the ability to offer customers a wider range of payment options. This can help businesses attract new customers and increase customer loyalty by offering a convenient and secure payment experience. Additionally, partnering with a reputable merchant service provider can help businesses improve their overall payment processing capabilities, which can lead to increased efficiency and cost savings.

Overall, merchant services partner programs offer a valuable opportunity for businesses to expand their offerings and increase revenue streams. By partnering with a reputable merchant service provider, businesses can improve their payment processing capabilities and offer customers a convenient and secure payment experience.

Overview of Merchant Services Partner Programs

Definition and Purpose

Merchant services partner programs are agreements between a merchant services provider and a partner that allow the partner to resell the provider’s services to their own clients. These programs are designed to create a mutually beneficial partnership between the provider and the partner. The provider gains access to a new market of potential clients, while the partner gains the ability to offer additional services to their existing clients.

Partner programs can be a valuable source of revenue for both parties. The provider typically offers the partner a percentage of the revenue generated from the clients they bring in. This revenue-sharing model incentivizes the partner to actively promote the provider’s services to their clients.

Types of Partner Programs

There are several types of merchant services partner programs available. The most common types include referral programs, reseller programs, and ISO programs.

Referral programs are the simplest type of partner program. In this model, the partner refers their clients to the provider, who then handles the sales process and provides ongoing support. The partner typically receives a commission for each successful referral.

Reseller programs are more involved than referral programs. In this model, the partner is responsible for selling the provider’s services to their clients. The partner is often provided with marketing materials and training to help them effectively sell the services. The partner earns a percentage of the revenue generated from their sales.

ISO programs are the most complex type of partner program. In this model, the partner is essentially acting as an independent sales organization for the provider. The partner is responsible for managing the entire sales process, from lead generation to ongoing support. The partner earns a higher percentage of the revenue generated from their sales, but is also responsible for more of the work.

Overall, merchant services partner programs can be a valuable tool for both providers and partners. By understanding the different types of programs available, both parties can choose the program that best fits their needs and goals.

Implementing a Partner Program

Implementing a partner program can be a great way for merchant services companies to expand their reach and increase revenue. However, it is important to approach the process strategically to ensure success. Here are some key steps for launching, managing partnerships, and growth and scaling strategies.

Key Steps for Launching

Launching a partner program requires careful planning and execution. Here are some key steps to get started:

  • Define your goals: Before launching a partner program, it is important to define your goals and what you hope to achieve with the program. This will help you determine the right partners to work with and the metrics to track success.
  • Identify potential partners: Once you have defined your goals, you can start identifying potential partners. Look for companies that have complementary products or services and a similar target audience.
  • Develop a partner agreement: A partner agreement outlines the terms and conditions of the partnership, including commission rates, payment terms, and expectations for both parties.
  • Provide training and support: To ensure success, it is important to provide training and support to your partners. This can include product training, sales and marketing materials, and ongoing support.

Managing Partnerships

Managing partnerships is an ongoing process that requires regular communication and collaboration. Here are some tips for managing partnerships effectively:

  • Set clear expectations: It is important to set clear expectations for your partners from the beginning. This includes expectations around sales targets, communication, and reporting.
  • Communicate regularly: Regular communication is key to a successful partnership. Schedule regular check-ins with your partners to discuss progress, address concerns, and plan for the future.
  • Monitor performance: It is important to track partner performance to ensure that they are meeting their sales targets and delivering value to your business. Use data and analytics to track performance and identify areas for improvement.

Growth and Scaling Strategies

As your partner program grows, it is important to have strategies in place to scale and expand. Here are some tips for growth and scaling:

  • Expand your partner network: Look for opportunities to expand your partner network by identifying new partners and building relationships with existing ones.
  • Offer additional incentives: Consider offering additional incentives to your partners, such as bonuses for hitting sales targets or access to exclusive resources.
  • Invest in technology: Investing in technology can help streamline your partner program and make it easier to manage. Look for tools that can help automate processes, track performance, and provide insights into partner activity.

Implementing a partner program can be a great way to grow your business and reach new customers. By following these key steps and strategies, you can launch and manage a successful partner program that drives revenue and delivers value to your partners.

 

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BUSINESS

Budgeting for Small Businesses – A Brief Guide

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Budgeting for Small Businesses

You cannot manage your small business without a proper budget. You might be making seven figures in sales, but without budgeting, you will have nothing left for yourself.

Without budgeting, certain business operations might suffer, such as paying your employees and getting rid of debt. If you fail to manage things, your business might go bankrupt, and you might lose everything to the IRS. 

The thing is that it is super-easy to ignore your accounting until things get bad. 

What is the Hype about Budgeting?

In simple words, budgeting is a financial plan that helps you utilize the resources that your business derived from sales. The word “sales” is very important here and the reason is that all budgets typically start with a sales projection. 

Subsequently, using your sales projection, you can determine what expenses you need to successfully operate your business. Ideally, you will want to set limits for all sorts of expenses that you have so you can ensure that your business is profitable at the end of the day.

Budgeting – How Important is it?

Now you know what the hype about budgeting is about; we can proceed to establish the importance of budgeting for your small business. The primary reason why your business needs a budget is that it guarantees profitability. If you stick to a budget and you follow it to a t, your business will always be profitable. There is absolutely no way for your business to suffer. 

You will want to budget in your desired profit margin, and if everything goes according to your plan, you will be running a profitable business. 

Also, budgeting includes bookkeeping, which prevents the mismanagement of all incoming funds in your business. With budgeting, you are forced to prioritize the expenses that you take on. But – with a budget, you won’t exceed your expenses for any reason at all. 

With a budget in place, you are forced to pick only a few marketing opportunities that you believe will yield the highest returns. Suppose those marketing opportunities don’t work in your favor; you can always choose alternative ways instead. 

The biggest downside of this is that you won’t be able to pay your taxes later. Consequently, you will have to deal with the IRS and risk your business being shut down forever. 

The rule is as simple as this: every dollar that you spend should have a destination in your business. This is where the importance of budgeting comes in. A good budget will assign value to each destination in your business, which, ultimately, you have complete control over. 

Know Your Goals 

The practical tip to establish a business budget comes after you have established your business goals. Your goal could be to increase sales or to add another department. Your goal could also be to buy another business. How much are you willing to pay to acquire those goals? Your business goals should be top of mind when creating your budget. You will want to be absolutely clear about how much to allocate to certain expenses to meet your goals. 

 

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BUSINESS

Prefabricated Housing Construction: Advantages and Challenges

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Prefabricated Housing Construction

Prefabricated housing construction is presented as an innovative alternative to traditional construction, offering faster, more efficient and sustainable solutions. This method involves the fabrication of modules in a controlled environment and their subsequent assembly at the construction site, usually this type of project is executed by professionals such as Doug Construction LLC.

In this article, we look at the advantages and challenges of prefabricated housing construction, analyzing its impact on the housing market and the possibilities it offers for the future of housing.

Advantages of Prefabricated Housing: A Detailed Analysis.

  • Reduced construction time: The main advantage of prefabricated construction lies in the significant reduction of construction time. Modules are manufactured in parallel to site work, allowing projects to be completed in considerably less time than with traditional methods. This translates into quicker availability of housing for homeowners, less time spent renting machinery and labor, and a faster return on investment.
  • Process optimization: Manufacturing in a controlled environment facilitates the optimization of the construction process. Waiting times associated with weather, logistics and availability of materials on site are eliminated.
  • Precise planning: Project planning and execution become more precise when working with prefabricated modules. Unforeseen events are minimized and the margin for error is reduced, resulting in higher quality of the final product.
  • Quality control: The manufacturing process in a controlled environment allows for greater control over the quality of materials and construction. Tests and verifications are performed at each stage of the process, ensuring a high quality end product.
  • Dimensional accuracy: Manufacturing in molds and with specialized machinery guarantees the dimensional accuracy of the modules. This facilitates on-site assembly and avoids errors that could affect the aesthetics or functionality of the house.
  • Minimization of errors: The precision in the manufacture of the modules significantly reduces the possibility of errors at the construction site,

Prefabricated Housing Challenges

  • Transportation: Transporting the modules can be a logistical challenge, especially in remote areas or areas with difficult access.
  • Permits and regulations: Local regulations and permits for prefabricated construction can be different from traditional construction.
  • Labor: Skilled labor is required to assemble the modules at the construction site.
  • Market perception: There is some resistance to the acceptance of prefabricated housing by some market sectors, due to the perception that it is less durable or of lower quality.
  • Customization: Customization of prefabricated housing may be limited compared to traditional construction.

Prefabricated housing construction offers a number of advantages that make it an attractive alternative to traditional construction. However, there are also some challenges that must be addressed for this method to reach its full potential.

As technology advances and regulations adapt, prefabricated construction has the potential to revolutionize the housing market and offer more affordable, efficient and sustainable housing solutions for the population.

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