Ripples from Circuit City and Tweeter to affect upscale dealers?

It's not like folks in the market for custom-install gear go to big box retailers like Circuit City and Tweeter for their "fix," but who can deny the way that those Sunday paper ads get the imagination going about how to improve your digital lifestyle? Prognosticators of all things CE, NPD Group, says that the diminishing fortunes of these big box stores will be felt at specialty dealers, and not necessarily in a good way. Sure, the disappearance of all that advertisement money from the CE pool might hurt awareness; but in the end, we know all those displaced regular customers of Circuit City and/or Tweeter will need to shop somewhere, so it's also an opportunity for smaller shops. Tough times are ahead, but there's also opportunity for retailers who can provide top-notch service.

[Mitchell Posted Nov 5th 2008 2:13PM]

here in Kansas City Circuit City is closing all 10 of its stores this week.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 5th 2008 2:25PM]

I went to a CC closing sale and they are jokes. The merchandise is discounted up to 30%, mostly 10% though, prices are based on original price, current sales prices don't count, and the prices are non-negotiable, so if the price in the store is higher than prices elsewhere, including CC online and other CC stores, you'll end up paying a higher price. Basically they aren't trying to close these stores at cost; they are trying to close these at a profit.