Business Opportunities

Dealer Stores - Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What qualifications are essential to be considered as a Sears dealer store owner?
A. The ideal owner candidate is outgoing, results-oriented and committed to success. He or she needs to be able to motivate and manage employees and have a good basic knowledge of business and financial principals. You may benefit from previous management and sales experience. Dealers must be willing to focus their energies exclusively on the business.

Q. What are the financial requirements and the initial investment I need to make?
A. Depending on the size of your store and the necessary leasehold improvements, your initial investment may run from approximately $55,000 - $100,000.* You must have $10,000 available to you without borrowing and a minimum net worth of at least $120,000.

Q. Do I pay any fees or royalties to Sears?
A. No. Sears does not collect any fees or royalties and the inventory remains under Sears ownership, so there are no inventory costs.

Q. How much money can I make?
A. Profitability varies depending upon a number of factors including: sales, store location, number of households in the market, operating expenses, lease/real estate costs, and the ability of the dealer to manage and control the business.

Q. Can I hire a manager for my store?
A. Yes, but the store owner must personally devote his or her full time and best efforts to the day-to-day operation of the store. He or she is responsible for all employee and staffing decisions.

Q. What kind of assistance do I receive in planning my store?
A. Our team will guide you through the market analysis, site location, financing options, lease negotiations, and construction/retrofit. We will also provide instruction on fixturing and merchandising the store and help prepare for the opening.

Q. What type of training do I receive?
A. Our dedicated training staff will instruct you in the day-to-day operations and management of your store. Initial training will take place in one of our Certified Training Stores, located in various parts of the country. Certified Training Stores are owned and operated by Sears' dealer store owners. The owners of our Certified Training Stores are the best of the best. After spending three full days, following a training program designed by our training team, you will be ready for the next phase of training.

The second phase will consist of an intense training week in our company headquarters. There you will learn more in-depth information about commissions, advertising, operational processes, merchandising and selling skills. During this week, you will spend a day with your trainer in the company-owned dealer store, located 40 miles from headquarters. There you will learn even more operational, merchandising and selling skills.

After your week of training in our company headquarters, your continuing learning will be supported by ongoing assistance from your field team, monthly training publications, hands-on training from our vendors, national and local training meetings and e-learning (online training).

Q. I am interested in learning more about the Sears dealer store opportunity...what's the next step?
A. To take the first step, simply click here, complete and submit the printable ownership application. One of our national recruiters will contact you.

*If you choose to build your own facility, the initial investment necessary to purchase real estate varies significantly by size and geographic location and will be in excess of the above estimate.