COMPETITORS
Kmart filed for bankruptcy protection, once the largest retailer ever to do so in U.S. history. Most industry analysts believe the cause of the company's bankruptcy filing was due to stiff competition from WalMart, Target, and lack of marketing strategies. Besides, when WalMart and Target predictably entered into Kmart's territory, Kmart had given its customers every reason to go somewhere else.
With more than 4,000 stores and insistent expansion plans, WalMart is a one of the strongest retail forces. Their advanced inventory management system, pull with suppliers, and thrifty corporate culture have enabled the industry giant to produce solid boundaries while offering the lowest prices. Target is also a fearsome competitor, offering fashionable items at reasonable, but not the lowest prices.
Competition is not the only source of Kmart's consistent poor performance. Another reason is that Kmart’s never had a marketing strategy. Kmart needs a structure to guide its decisions in pursuit of performance objectives.
MARKETING STRATEGY
In the past, Kmart depended on the focus of expanding into rural areas where other retailers did not go. They should have focused on just being in the market, as well as protecting its geographic advantages. Nevertheless, the company continued to open new stores and bought several specialty chains, including sporting goods, office supplies, and bookstores. While buying all these specialty chains, conditions at their existing locations declined in cleanliness, service quality, and the selection of merchandise all became problems.
The marketing strategies Kmart made in an attempt to recapture market share in the 1990s proved to be unrelated and secluded events. Their first strategy consisted of converting all Kmart stores to the "Big Kmart". Big Kmart’s format was larger, brighter, and the stores had more categories of merchandise. Kmart also decided to sign an exclusive deal to distribute Martha Stewart's line of products, bed and bath fashions and house paints created by Martha Stewart, the famous home and garden icon. Inevitably, the same inventory and service problems continued. Unless you have to own Martha Stewart products there still is no reason to go to Kmart.
Most recently, Kmart started to drop its prices and develop advertisements to promote the price cuts. Kmart also brought back the Blue light special, a once popular reward program for Kmart shoppers to unexpectedly save on select items. Even though Kmart had these great deals, their competitors had the advantage in the low price game, responding with further cuts Kmart could not beat later leading into legal battles and struggles
LEGAL STRUGGLES
Kmart’s legal battles began with two former Kmart Corporation vice presidents that were indicted on federal charges that claim their actions inflated the company's income for part of the year before the retailer filed for bankruptcy. They were charged with security fraud, making false statements to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and conspiracy to commit those offenses. Not only were they charged, but accused by the SEC in federal court of accounting fraud. The SEC is seeking the return of financial gains related to their alleged actions. If convicted, they will both face a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a one million dollar fine on the security fraud charge, five years in prison, and a two hundred fifty thousand dollar fine for the conspiracy and false statement charges. In addition to the two former Vice Presidents problems, the FBI is investigating twenty-five Kmart executives that received more than twenty eight million dollars in loans before the bankruptcy. Most of the executives have left the company. Along with the executives, Kmart is dealing with Martha Stewart’s legal issues.
Martha Stewart has a high possibility of being charged for civil charges from the Securities and Exchange Commission. The situation has dragged on for months since she sold ImClone shares before the stock tumbled on news. There were allegations that she was given inside information, something she has denied. Stewart's legal predicament has affected Kmart and Martha Stewart Living. For the most part, Martha Stewart fans have supported her in her struggles. She may have to step down as chairman and CEO of the company to keep the company alive, but the she still owns about sixty one percent of Martha Stewart Living's stock and controls virtually all of its voting shares. With that kind of assets, it is going to be hard to just walk away.
CONCLUSION
Kmart, the massive vintage company that has peeked and now still third in rank, but struggling to survive due to competition and other legal battles is still functioning. This analysis report described and analyzed the major forces that shape the structure and competitive intensity of Kmart. This report reviewed Kmart’s history, competitors, marketing strategies, and a few legal battles that have affected the company. Kmart needs to realize the need to developing a strong marketing strategy before they are forced to go out of business.
REFRENCES
Accela Communications Inc (2003). “BlueLight folding into Kmart, lays off staff.” http://www.itworld.com
American City Business Journals, Inc. (2003) “Kmart reports $862M first quarter net loss.” http://www.albuquerque.bizjournals.com
Fox News Network (2003). “Kmart Web Site Answers Angry Shareholder Questions.” http://www.foxnews.com
InfoWorld Media Group (2001). ”Benefits of a slowdown.” http://www.archive.inforworld.com
Kmart Corporation (2000). “More Information about K-Mart.” http://www.kmartcorp.com
Microsoft Corporation (2003) “Kmart’s 5 big blunders.” http://www.bcentral.com
The Detroit News (2002) “A look at Kmart’s History.” http://www.detnews.com
Where It’s @ (2002). “Kmart-Running Out of Time.” http://www.retailindustry.about.com
