I went to Radio Shack today and I was very excited to be there! I was doing some research on my scanners the other day—I can’t even remember what and I went to RadioShack.com and was very happy with what I saw developing around the Radio Shack brand. During my online visit, I saw that there were still a couple of stores in El Paso and I noted where they were and thought that I might stop in one day to see if the stores were changing as the website was. So, today during lunch I happened to see one of those stores and, in fact, did stop in.
I was pleased that the store was not cluttered by cheap cell phones and the store was actually spacious, but very open for business. The store was offering the familiar sales that I have grown to love over the years and I was very pleased that they had a section devoted to radio scanners. The store still had small electrical parts, different kinds of radios, electronic kits, and even some radio controlled toys. I even picked up a new scanner!
Radio Shack’s new slogan and marketing strategy of “It Can Be Done, When We Do It Together” is a good selection. From the information on their website, they are seeming to aim there future business on technology and advice. This, I believe, is a good move. Some of the things that I’d like to see change—especially from the pre-bankruptcy Radio Shack to the new—is the return to amateur radio equipment. I am not advocating a complete turning the store into a ham radio outlet, however, to include this hobby into their mix would be a great boost to the hobby that put the original Radio Shack on the map. With that said, the “We can do it together” concept can allow for providing parts to “Home brew” radio equipment, or sound equipment or other low intensity electronic equipment. I believe they could also return to providing a limited supply of antennas, CBs, and radio related material.
What I have seen from the website and from the store I visited today has given me hope. I hope that Radio Shack can return to the days where it is the place where I continue to buy my electronic projects long into the future—as I always have.