Sears eyes Ohio or Texas for HQ

 

By Julie Wernau

 

Tribune reporter

 

3:00 p.m. CDT, October 5, 2011

 

Sears Holdings Corp. is pitting Ohio and Texas against its home state of Illinois in a bidding war that has states clamoring for its headquarters.

 

A source close to the matter said a small group of leaders from Sears visited Columbus, Ohio, and Austin, Texas, last month to visit potential sites for their headquarters.....

 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/breaking/chi-sears-reportedly-pitting-illinois-against-ohio-texas-20111005,0,7237935.story

so, this says Columbus is the Ohio frontrunner?

I thought they narrowed the search down to DC or Boston?

Typical posturing. Last month is was the east coast. Sears is but one of a small cabal of global corporations based in Illinois trying to bluff the state government into changing their tax policy.

so, this says Columbus is the Ohio frontrunner?

 

With Columbus' existing fashion headquarters I wouldn't be surprised if it was atleast in the running along with Cincinnati.

I would hope CLE officials would at least be throwing their hat in the ring as well--just in case Sears is really considering moving. We've heard talk now of Cincinnati and Columbus. Cleveland is a glaring omission.

I would hope CLE officials would at least be throwing their hat in the ring as well--just in case Sears is really considering moving. We've heard talk now of Cincinnati and Columbus. Cleveland is a glaring omission.

 

Maybe, but remember Cincinnati already has Macy's and Columbus has Limited brands, two high profile department/fashion entities. I'm sure those cities probably already have a lot of the business and infrastructure a fashion related department store would need, atleast moreso than Cleveland. However we do have Hugo Boss. :D

It's a shame there is a factory for Hugo Boss yet no stores in Ohio.

...but then again, Bloomingdale's is headquartered in Ohio yet there are no Bloomingdale's here.

...but then again, Bloomingdale's is headquartered in Ohio yet there are no Bloomingdale's here.

 

It really is. We probably would have one if Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati were one giant "Ohio City" with demographics similar to Chicagoland. Until then... the status quo. :/

I would hope CLE officials would at least be throwing their hat in the ring as well--just in case Sears is really considering moving. We've heard talk now of Cincinnati and Columbus. Cleveland is a glaring omission.

 

Maybe, but remember Cincinnati already has Macy's and Columbus has Limited brands, two high profile department/fashion entities. I'm sure those cities probably already have a lot of the business and infrastructure a fashion related department store would need, atleast moreso than Cleveland. However we do have Hugo Boss. :D

 

What type of businesses and infrastructure would they need?  I also hesitate to call the Roebuck brand "fashion"

 

I am actually hoping that we are not the fish biting at this bait.  To entice Sears here, we would most likely have to come up with an incentivie package that all of our other Fortune 500 companies will demand once it is given to Sears.  That plus the reality that Sears is often mentioned as a dying brand and I just don't think the juice will be worth the squeeze.  I understand that we need to offer incentives to attract new companies, but I think this particular circumstance is going to call for us going overboard. 

Hts I agree with you that Sears one of the last companies we should be trying to entice with a major incentives package.  Such $$$ could be better spent on more viable companies or other business initiatives.

 

Also I agree with posts above that Sears is just jacking the state of Illinois around and playing "the game ", just like American Greetings did with Ohio. 

I would hope CLE officials would at least be throwing their hat in the ring as well--just in case Sears is really considering moving. We've heard talk now of Cincinnati and Columbus. Cleveland is a glaring omission.

 

Maybe, but remember Cincinnati already has Macy's and Columbus has Limited brands, two high profile department/fashion entities. I'm sure those cities probably already have a lot of the business and infrastructure a fashion related department store would need, atleast moreso than Cleveland. However we do have Hugo Boss. :D

 

And dont forget Dots..  :|

 

I was critical of local officials for not coming together to at least make a pitch, with the response that Sears doesnt want to be downtown.  American Greetings will be vacating their headquarters...... 

Here in Cleveland, we'd be stupid if we didn't at least attempt to go after this. Sears officials have said that they haven't ruled out Greater Cleveland, which is a good thing. We should do what it takes to get this company in Ohio first, and then in Cleveland. Anywhere in Ohio, I'd be happy, but Cleveland would be the best. Hey, states have been doing this to us for years. Its about time we start returning the favor in Ohio. Turnabout is fair play.

Here in Cleveland, we'd be stupid if we didn't at least attempt to go after this. Sears officials have said that they haven't ruled out Greater Cleveland, which is a good thing. We should do what it takes to get this company in Ohio first, and then in Cleveland. Anywhere in Ohio, I'd be happy, but Cleveland would be the best. Hey, states have been doing this to us for years. Its about time we start returning the favor in Ohio. Turnabout is fair play.

 

Ohio has done it to Ohio for years!

I would hope CLE officials would at least be throwing their hat in the ring as well--just in case Sears is really considering moving. We've heard talk now of Cincinnati and Columbus. Cleveland is a glaring omission.

 

Maybe, but remember Cincinnati already has Macy's and Columbus has Limited brands, two high profile department/fashion entities. I'm sure those cities probably already have a lot of the business and infrastructure a fashion related department store would need, atleast moreso than Cleveland. However we do have Hugo Boss. :D

 

What type of businesses and infrastructure would they need?  I also hesitate to call the Roebuck brand "fashion"

 

I am actually hoping that we are not the fish biting at this bait.  To entice Sears here, we would most likely have to come up with an incentivie package that all of our other Fortune 500 companies will demand once it is given to Sears.  That plus the reality that Sears is often mentioned as a dying brand and I just don't think the juice will be worth the squeeze.  I understand that we need to offer incentives to attract new companies, but I think this particular circumstance is going to call for us going overboard. 

 

I used fashion for lack of a better term. LOL. But you're right. We don't want to offer them the World then next year become the new Illinois with all our corporate HQs threatening relocation without a similar sweetheart incentive deal to stay (not that we don't have at least a little of that already.)

^ I understand the concern about the long term prospects of Sears. However, if the decision to come to Ohio hinges on State tax incentives (which were given to American Greetings), then we might as well throw our hat in, as the money's being spent either way. I wouldn't mind a short term (read 10 year) pop in employment / population as a stepping stone. Get them here, then leverage the fact that a Fortune 500 company chose to relocate here with other major employers. And in the short term, enjoy the pop in the housing market / local retail / etc. economy.

The Columbus Dispatch ran the story the other day and stated that the CEO has a large stake in Columbus-based Big Lots.  Not sure if that makes any difference, but may be a reason they are looking there. 

forget sears. just go after carhardt. thats all sears is good for anyway! j/k i love sears glad ohio is still in play for them.

 

So what are they looking for downtown space for a possible skyscraper or suburban campus type of office? These incentives are really going to hurt us in the future with most not all companies threatening to leave just to get a incentive package. Well Cleveland needs to throw its hat into the race but if anywhere in Ohio lands this I will be happy.

It's possible that Cleveland was already told no, and they're keeping it quiet to avoid embarassment.  Otherwise I too would prefer to see some effort put forth on this.  Even if Sears pays no taxes at all and leaves after 5 years, it's still a gain.

^Not a gain for Ohio.

^Not a gain for Ohio.

 

Which is exactly why I selfishly don't want to see Ohio give huge tax breaks to Sears unless the company is coming to Northeast Ohio.

not necessarily. income tax from corporate chieftans and other employees is not insignificant. this is the texas business model and is why that state is in play. they dont have a lot of tax/union cpmplications down there. of course there would have to be some kind of guarantee of them staying along with any incentive deal.

not necessarily. income tax from corporate chieftans and other employees is not insignificant. this is the texas business model and is why that state is in play. they dont have a lot of tax/union cpmplications down there. of course there would have to be some kind of guarantee of them staying along with any incentive deal.

 

That's true.  Still don't know if it's worth it in the end.

If i was Ohio i would go after all the current F500 companies in the state and offer them incentive's if they produce more jobs and or bring in some of their manufacturing facilities.

The latest from here (Chicago)

Looks like Sears will stay, but Ohio gave it a good shot...

 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-ap-oh-searsheadquarters,0,2118318.story

Quite possibly because of:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/breaking/chi-sp-downgrades-sears-a-notch-on-weak-3q-20111118,0,2007083.story

 

And losing $421 million in the last quarter:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/18/business/economy/sears-loss-grows-to-421-million-and-gap-profit-falls-36.html?_r=1

They were never going to leave, it was just a way of getting some incentive from Illinois.  We shouldn't have even played that game.

^Numerous posters stated this during the past few months discussion...I was always amazed how many posters ignored this and jumped on the bang wagon stating Ohio should make an effort to go after this company which may very well not exist in ten years.

^Numerous posters stated this during the past few months discussion...I was always amazed how many posters ignored this and jumped on the bang wagon stating Ohio should make an effort to go after this company which may very well not exist in ten years.

 

Bingo.  The traditional retail model is changing rapidly.  There may not be room for a place like Sears in the future.

^Numerous posters stated this during the past few months discussion...I was always amazed how many posters ignored this and jumped on the bang wagon stating Ohio should make an effort to go after this company which may very well not exist in ten years.

 

Bingo.  The traditional retail model is changing rapidly.  There may not be room for a place like Sears in the future.

Sears has plenty of money and management power to re-invent itself as a competitor to kohls, home depot, target.  It's America's department store, and will not be leaving our sprawl malls anytime in th near future.  30 years from now, I could see kohls or target gone before Sears.

Remember Woolworth's? Howard Johnson's? S.S. Kresge's? These were American institutions that weren't beaten by their competition, but by their own management. Each of these companies got complacent and stale, just like Sears has become. Nothing lasts forever.

Not only have I not stepped foot in "America's department store" in years, but I don't even know where one is located around here. 

 

What is their online/catalog sales presence like these days?

BTW, not only has Sears become largely irrelevant in the retailing world, so has this thread to its original purpose. It's not long for this forum.

Sounds like sour grapes that they didn't come to Ohio. If they had, or better yet Cleveland, you guys would be singing a different tune.

^Not really....read the thread....many posters prior to this announcement (months ago) questioned whether Sears was actually moving or simply holding Illinois for ransom and also questioned why Ohio should waste precious resources chasing after them either because they had a feeling this is what Sears was up to or didn't think they were worth it.  Like I said...read the thread.

The decision actually hasn't been made.  Kasich was stating what many of us already thought, that they would probably stay where they are, but no official statement on staying or moving has been made yet. 

 

I'm also of the opinion that, even if Sears is not at the top of its game right now, it would still be good for Ohio.  A large corporation moving here may give others pause and take a second look at our state.  We have been largely ignored or on the reverse side of this process for a long time now.

 

 

Sounds like sour grapes that they didn't come to Ohio. If they had, or better yet Cleveland, you guys would be singing a different tune.

 

No one knows what is in other people's heads and hearts. So please don't try to guess what's in mine because you are wrong to do so even in the rare chance you are right.  Fact is you are wrong all the way around. I would be overjoyed if Sears was coming to anywhere in Ohio.

 

What does Sears intend to do? We'll find out by their actions which, thus far, suggest they have no desire to leave Illinois.

 

I believe the whole basis of this thread was pretty thin from the start. How it made it to five pages shows how much we love to play what-if here. And considering that the discussion has gone in every which way in the absence of real news, tells me this thread has probably outlived its usefulness.

^ I've noticed that discussions of Sears as a retail store generally tend to head in this direction. People have strong opinions about them; it's certainly a love/hate kind of place.

Sounds like sour grapes that they didn't come to Ohio. If they had, or better yet Cleveland, you guys would be singing a different tune.

 

I believe the whole basis of this thread was pretty thin from the start. How it made it to five pages shows how much we love to play what-if here. And considering that the discussion has gone in every which way in the absence of real news, tells me this thread has probably outlived its usefulness.

 

Right on.  The extent of this thread should have been:

 

Original Post Subject:  Sears HQ headed to Ohio?

First Response:  "No."

 

End of thread.

I really don't have strong feelings about Sears as a company either way.  I just seriously question throwing millions in tax incentives to a company (any company) that may or may not exist in its current state for very much longer.  And the only way I'd fully support it coming to Cleveland was if no local tax incentives were given.

 

In general I hate these games businesses play pitting localities and states against each other in a race towards the bottom.  It's probably been going on for decades, but for some reason it seems to be happening more often in recent years.

It's just a prisoner's dilemma. If you don't play the game, someone else will and you end up losing. The game sucks but our choices are limited.

 

And KJP, no need to take offense to what I was saying - my comment was directed to the overall tone of the last few pages of this board, not you specifically.

And KJP, no need to take offense to what I was saying - my comment was directed to the overall tone of the last few pages of this board, not you specifically.

 

Then consider it advice to avoid similar responses in the future from other people. Although I rarely visit this thread, my job is to make sure the geographic/parochial rivalries don't get nasty.

Sounds like sour grapes that they didn't come to Ohio. If they had, or better yet Cleveland, you guys would be singing a different tune.

 

I believe the whole basis of this thread was pretty thin from the start. How it made it to five pages shows how much we love to play what-if here. And considering that the discussion has gone in every which way in the absence of real news, tells me this thread has probably outlived its usefulness.

 

Right on.  The extent of this thread should have been:

 

Original Post Subject:  Sears HQ headed to Ohio?

First Response:  "No."

 

End of thread.

 

HAH!

 

And off it goes to the Abandoned Projects thread, right?

^to answer your last question...maybe, just maybe, as suggested numerous times in this thread, they never really intended to leave Illinois in the first place.

Not only have I not stepped foot in "America's department store" in years, but I don't even know where one is located around here. 

 

Richmond Mall.  Been there for decades

I don't know about you but my "crystal ball" has Sears looking very closely at Ohio's OTHER 3-C's; Coshocton, Chillicothe and Cambridge!

^LOL! (Very good!)

Let me be even clearer than I was before. The admins and mods of this site are very intolerant of expressing intra-Ohio rivalries here. And let me be clearer still -- I would love it if Cincy stole Sears' HQ away from Illinois. But it doesn't appear Sears is going anywhere, unfortunately for OHIO. And until there is any news to the contrary, this thread is locked.