RadioShack once encouraged folks to make their own gadgets. When I was a
kid, my father often picked up electrical components at RadioShack,
although he sometimes lamented the demise of the local hobby shop when
the chain moved in. RadioShack introduced a generation to computers with
their TRS-80.
And we all coveted the latest state-of-the-art TI calculators for math
class. At one time, it seemed like the entire store was taken over by
remote-controlled cars.
But bigger stores moved in, offering lower prices on electronics. Then the do-it-yourselfers became early adopters in buying the parts they need online. In 2007, the Onion wondered how RadioShack was still in business. The company responded to the changes by embracing cell phone sales, which became the majority of their business. The last time I was in RadioShack, they had little besides cell phones and accessories (although none from my provider).
Thursday, after 94 years in business, RadioShack filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. But it still might not be the end. RadioShack is selling 2,400 locations to Sprint, in a deal where RadioShack branded merchandise will still be sold in those stores. The rest of RadioShack’s 4,000 locations will be closed. Only time will tell if the brand will survive under those conditions.
(Altered image from reddit)
But bigger stores moved in, offering lower prices on electronics. Then the do-it-yourselfers became early adopters in buying the parts they need online. In 2007, the Onion wondered how RadioShack was still in business. The company responded to the changes by embracing cell phone sales, which became the majority of their business. The last time I was in RadioShack, they had little besides cell phones and accessories (although none from my provider).
Thursday, after 94 years in business, RadioShack filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. But it still might not be the end. RadioShack is selling 2,400 locations to Sprint, in a deal where RadioShack branded merchandise will still be sold in those stores. The rest of RadioShack’s 4,000 locations will be closed. Only time will tell if the brand will survive under those conditions.
(Altered image from reddit)
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