Sears expands DVD, other products online
Offers free shipping when ordered online via in-store kiosks
By Susanne Ault -- Video Business, 5/15/2008
MAY 15 | Sears has ramped up its Web selection of DVDs, books and music, among other items.
In the past month, Sears.com has multiplied the number of products for sale by four times, according to retail management. Since partnering with distributor Alliance Entertainment Corp. in December, Sears.com now offers more than 250,000 movie and music titles. Clip previews of films and music tracks also have been added to the site.
Last month, Sears.com aligned with distributor Baker & Taylor to offer 600,000 book titles.
The retailer hopes to both improve customer convenience as well as offer a wider selection of merchandise that can fit on Sears’ shelves. Sears will offer various in-store stations where customers can order product for free home delivery.
“We want Sears.com to become a key online resource for all entertainment and home needs, in addition to the quality appliances, tools and apparel for which we are already known,” said Imran Jooma, Sears VP of e-commerce. “The expanded offering allows us to better serve our customers and offer a lot more products than we’re able to provide in our stores. For example, if a customer is in a Sears stores and is looking to buy a DVD, and the product is not available, the customer can order the DVD from a computer kiosk in-store, and the shipping fees are waived.”
Sears also has expanded its merchandise mix within its computer software and art gallery categories.
