CompUSA Goes Buh-bye!
My friend Rick Yaeger just tweeted some astonishing news about the national computer chain CompUSA. Apparently, after the holiday buying season is over, all 103 of the stores will be closing. For good. From Yahoo:
“Consumer electronics retailer CompUSA said Friday it will close its store operations after the holidays following sale of the company to Gordon Brothers Group LLC, a restructuring firm. Financial terms weren’t disclosed.
CompUSA operates 103 stores, which plan to run store-closing sales during the holidays.
Privately held CompUSA, controlled by Mexican financier Carlos Slim Helu’s Grupo Carso SA, said discussions were under way to sell certain stores in key markets. Stores that can’t be sold will be closed.”
All I have to say about this is that thank GOODNESS Apple recently announced plans to open an Apple retail store here next spring/summer. Between January and the opening of the new Apple store however, there will be a huge hole for local merchants to fill. Best Buy will probably pick up a great deal of the slack, but the business potential for the new Apple store in Greensboro just got a whole lot brighter. As a side note, Twitter & Twitterrific win points once again for the first point of contact for me with breaking news items.
Wow…That’s too bad. We have one close to us, and it’s come in handy on many occasions 🙁 I’m guessing you’re right about Apple and Best Buy stores. Should have bought their stock today!
Sandy, I had seen Apple stock had reached an all time high of $194 today and wondered why. Now I think I have a clue. I think I might have to swing by CompUSA this weekend and see if they’ve started to slash prices just yet.
There’s best buy, circuit city who are bigger and most times better online and god knows mail order – compusa just couldn’t compete.
Down by us we also have Microcenter and Apple to boot, microcenter is a GREAT little chain, and they have a devoted apple department and apple only staff.
Jen, Sounds like the Microcenter store is a good alternative. Our Best Buy doesn’t carry Apple brand computers so if I want to browse, I guess I’ll have to be going to Southpoint in Raleigh until the new store opens here in Greensboro.
Great site you have there BTW. “We got one, suck it Indiana.” has to be one of the best tag lines I’ve ever seen. TOO funny!