Sears Looks To Shoes And Precious Metals To Jump-Start eCommerce

For all of Sears’ many issues in recent days, one has to applaud their incredible persistence in the face of difficult odds.

This week the retailer has announced it is leveling-up its online marketplace with the addition of a new run of third-party sellers, which will bolster its offerings for consumers.

According to Sears, the new additions are things one might expect from a marketplace supported by a department store — floor-care brands like Hoover, Dirt Devil and Oreck, for example, seem to be a natural fit.

The push into shoes — specifically national shoe brands like Dockers, G.H. Bass & Co. and Lucky Brand — makes sense as well.

The surprise on the list is the fact that Sears is apparently now a place where precious metals enthusiasts can go to shop. The metals sold aren’t ones that have been made into jewelry, but the metals themselves, including gold, silver, platinum and palladium bullion bars, rounds and coins, as well as premium bullion products.

“Sears continues to grow the online product selection offered by third-party marketplace sellers as we develop new relationships with leading companies to participate in the Sears.com ecosystem,” said Peter Lai, chief online officer at Sears. “From top shoe brands and floor care appliances to gold bullion and commemorative coins, members can always find the products on Sears.com that meet their needs.”

APMEX, one of the world’s largest online retailers of precious metals, will be bringing the metals to Sears’ market. Nashville Shoe Warehouse will be bringing the shoes, while TTI Floor Care, the largest floor care business in North America, will be bringing the floor care products.