All Articles Tagged Hybrid Dealers

Jason Knott | 11/14 12:28 PM, 1 Comment

Sometimes the best exit strategy for an owner is right under his own nose. For example, University Audio in Madison, Wis. has just been purchased by Ben Gottlieb, the company's general manager since 2000 and an employee since 1992. University Audio is a full-service, home theater retail store and a design/installation service that has been in business since 1990. Under Gottlieb's management, the store has survived tough economic times. The company is a member of the CEA Audio Video Retailer division as well as CEDIA. "Our clients value the many… View this story

Jason Knott | 10/24 08:57 AM, 0 Comments

A new study from Consumer Reports gives the specialty retail channel something to cheer about. The survey of 29,922 consumers shows that independent specialty retailers have the highest ratings among shoppers, ranking best in customer service and product quality, good in selection and buying ease and in the middle for price. The ranking was: IndependentsCostcoApple storeStapleshhgreggSam's ClubBJ's WholesaleTargetP.C. Richard & SonSearsRadio ShackBest BuyFry's ElectronicsWalmartA key observation from Consumer Reports is, "Mom-and-pop independent stores should be your first stop if you need hand-holding for a major electronics purchase. With the exception… View this story

Jason Knott | 10/12 09:27 AM, 6 Comments

Sixth Avenue Electronics could be deep-sixed. The New Jersey-based specialty retailer is on the verge of having all its inventory seized by its major creditor, GE Commercial Distribution Finance Corp. (CDF), claiming it is owed over $5.8 million. Simultaneously, Sixth Avenue was sued by Toshiba, claiming it was owed $1.2 million. GE CDF filed suit in U.S. District Court on Sept. 30 alleging that Sixth Avenue Electronics City Inc. has defaulted on its promised payments, including missing a payment of $2.1 million due on September 12. GE CDF had an… View this story

Steve Crowe | 07/09 07:10 AM, 0 Comments

Flanner's Home Entertainment has been acquired by Colder's, a home furnishings retailer in Milwaukee, Wisc. and member of the Brand Source buying group. Colder's will acquire inventory, equipment and customer list, as well as the right to use the Flanner's name. According to the Milwaukee-Wisconsin Journal Sentinel, Waukesha County Circuit Judge Michael Bohren approved the sale of Flanner's assets for $140,000 on July 8, 2010. Related Content Inside the Acquisition Flanner’s Shuts Doors Retailers That Came Back from DeadHowever, the Journal Sentinel says the sale "doesn't come close to raising… View this story

Jason Knott | 05/05 05:35 AM, 5 Comments

In a continuing sign of the strain on regional custom retailers, Flanner's Home Entertainment in Brookfield, Wis. has temporarily shut the doors of its 26,000-square-foot custom retail store. The family-owned store has been in business since 1891 and is run by former PARA president John Flanner. The company is a member of the very selective PRO Buying Group, which in recent years lost its most prominent member Tweeter Home Entertainment to bankruptcy. According to an article in Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Flanner says the temporary shut-down is due to financial problems,… View this story