CorpRaider Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 You guys really think that blog belongs to Eddie Lampert? I'm very skeptical. Entirely possible but I don't think so. The first three or so comments are supposedly from people that all work at SHLD. One is a director in Automotive, one is loss prevention and one is an enterprise architect. Its entirely possible that the fake author just randomly picked some people on LinkedIn to impersonate in the comments but I doubt it. I don't get the impression reading it or reading the comments that it is fake. Also if someone really wanted to put up a fake blog that existed for any reasonable period of time they would probably not host it on Wordpress.com because I imagine their TOS does not allow doing so unless its obviously a parody such as the "The Fake Steve Jobs". I like how the manager from a store in chicago makes a kiss-ass comment and then tells where he works and then says his managers don't get the concepts the articles reflect. hah! I dunno man, can't eddie afford eddielampert.com rather than a generic wordpress blog? Sheesh. Also, re the float aren't you guys both right, depending on your timeframe? heh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phil_Buffett Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 for me it is important that the Price is cheap. i bought more today because i think it is cheap. and if the Price Drops more and the stock gets cheaper. i will buy more. float or borrowing rates or anything else, doesnt matter much for me. there can also be positive unexpected News to come and then the stock will drive way higher no matter if the float is higher than 3months before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
compoundinglife Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 I like how the manager from a store in chicago makes a kiss-ass comment and then tells where he works and then says his managers don't get the concepts the articles reflect. hah! I dunno man, can't eddie afford eddielampert.com rather than a generic wordpress blog? Sheesh. Lol, the brown nosing was one of the factors that made me think it was real. On another note did anyone else read into the way the bio is written: "My name is Eddie Lampert, and I am the Chairman and CEO of ESL Investments, an investment partnership that I started in April 1988. I am also the Chairman and CEO of Sears Holdings Corporation, a membership-focused, integrated retailer in the process of transforming from a traditional retail company." I read that as "HI I AM THE CEO OF ESL INVESTMENTS THE FUND WITH AN AMAZING TRACK RECORD. Oh yeah and btw I am also CEO and Chairman of the cash hemorrhaging retailer everyone loves to hate on." That does not sound like the bio of someone who is planning on making SHLD his main focus/investment vehicle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hyten1 Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 compoundinglife i think you are reading too much into this. he couldn't have written it simpler without revealing any future plans (assuming his future plans are different from what he has been saying) what do you want him to write? I am the CEO of SHLD first than CEO of ESL, or maybe just the CEO if SHLD, or better yet, I plan to disolve ESL and make SHLD my only vehicle for investments? jmho hy EDIT: he wrote he is ceo of esl, no mention of the track record, your subconscious added that :) I like how the manager from a store in chicago makes a kiss-ass comment and then tells where he works and then says his managers don't get the concepts the articles reflect. hah! I dunno man, can't eddie afford eddielampert.com rather than a generic wordpress blog? Sheesh. Lol, the brown nosing was one of the factors that made me think it was real. On another note did anyone else read into the way the bio is written: "My name is Eddie Lampert, and I am the Chairman and CEO of ESL Investments, an investment partnership that I started in April 1988. I am also the Chairman and CEO of Sears Holdings Corporation, a membership-focused, integrated retailer in the process of transforming from a traditional retail company." I read that as "HI I AM THE CEO OF ESL INVESTMENTS THE FUND WITH AN AMAZING TRACK RECORD. Oh yeah and btw I am also CEO and Chairman of the cash hemorrhaging retailer everyone loves to hate on." That does not sound like the bio of someone who is planning on making SHLD his main focus/investment vehicle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BTShine Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 Hy - Agree with what you said. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
compoundinglife Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 compoundinglife i think you are reading too much into this. he couldn't have written it simpler without revealing any future plans (assuming his future plans are different from what he has been saying) what do you want him to write? I am the CEO of SHLD first than CEO of ESL, or maybe just the CEO if SHLD, or better yet, I plan to disolve ESL and make SHLD my only vehicle for investments? jmho hy EDIT: he wrote he is ceo of esl, no mention of the track record, your subconscious added that :) Oh yeah I added that part no doubt about it :) Just trying to read between the lines. In the context of the speculation on this thread about what his actions with the funds mean, when I read that bio that does not strike me as the bio of a person who is winding down the hedge fund to just do SHLD. When writing a bio I think most people would put the most important stuff first. If I was an SHLD employee and got this blog in an email/memo and read the bio I would think "Sears is his second priority". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CorpRaider Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 I like how the manager from a store in chicago makes a kiss-ass comment and then tells where he works and then says his managers don't get the concepts the articles reflect. hah! I dunno man, can't eddie afford eddielampert.com rather than a generic wordpress blog? Sheesh. Lol, the brown nosing was one of the factors that made me think it was real. On another note did anyone else read into the way the bio is written: "My name is Eddie Lampert, and I am the Chairman and CEO of ESL Investments, an investment partnership that I started in April 1988. I am also the Chairman and CEO of Sears Holdings Corporation, a membership-focused, integrated retailer in the process of transforming from a traditional retail company." I read that as "HI I AM THE CEO OF ESL INVESTMENTS THE FUND WITH AN AMAZING TRACK RECORD. Oh yeah and btw I am also CEO and Chairman of the cash hemorrhaging retailer everyone loves to hate on." That does not sound like the bio of someone who is planning on making SHLD his main focus/investment vehicle. "Finally, I am the man who is going to be closing the store in Paramus, New Jersey where the below blog commenter is manager. - Regards, ESL" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peridotcapital Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 I like how the manager from a store in chicago makes a kiss-ass comment and then tells where he works and then says his managers don't get the concepts the articles reflect. hah! I dunno man, can't eddie afford eddielampert.com rather than a generic wordpress blog? Sheesh. Lol, the brown nosing was one of the factors that made me think it was real. On another note did anyone else read into the way the bio is written: "My name is Eddie Lampert, and I am the Chairman and CEO of ESL Investments, an investment partnership that I started in April 1988. I am also the Chairman and CEO of Sears Holdings Corporation, a membership-focused, integrated retailer in the process of transforming from a traditional retail company." I read that as "HI I AM THE CEO OF ESL INVESTMENTS THE FUND WITH AN AMAZING TRACK RECORD. Oh yeah and btw I am also CEO and Chairman of the cash hemorrhaging retailer everyone loves to hate on." That does not sound like the bio of someone who is planning on making SHLD his main focus/investment vehicle. Another reason to be skeptical about this blog is that he calls ESL Investments a "partnership." The SEC filings clearly show that ESL Investments Inc is a corporation. The individual funds are structured as LPs but none of them are called "ESL Investments." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alertmeipp Posted January 7, 2014 Author Share Posted January 7, 2014 either way, not material enough to get this thread too much longer IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
compoundinglife Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 I like how the manager from a store in chicago makes a kiss-ass comment and then tells where he works and then says his managers don't get the concepts the articles reflect. hah! I dunno man, can't eddie afford eddielampert.com rather than a generic wordpress blog? Sheesh. Lol, the brown nosing was one of the factors that made me think it was real. On another note did anyone else read into the way the bio is written: "My name is Eddie Lampert, and I am the Chairman and CEO of ESL Investments, an investment partnership that I started in April 1988. I am also the Chairman and CEO of Sears Holdings Corporation, a membership-focused, integrated retailer in the process of transforming from a traditional retail company." I read that as "HI I AM THE CEO OF ESL INVESTMENTS THE FUND WITH AN AMAZING TRACK RECORD. Oh yeah and btw I am also CEO and Chairman of the cash hemorrhaging retailer everyone loves to hate on." That does not sound like the bio of someone who is planning on making SHLD his main focus/investment vehicle. Another reason to be skeptical about this blog is that he calls ESL Investments a "partnership." The SEC filings clearly show that ESL Investments Inc is a corporation. The individual funds are structured as LPs but none of them are called "ESL Investments." Good point. But considering that ESL Inc is the GP in all the LPs I don't think describing it as partnership is a stretch. Although yes I agree that description does not appear to use the proper term to describe that entity and that is somewhat odd. You would think if it was the "real deal" there would have been some legal review that caught that or he would just out of habit use the actual entity type. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matson125 Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 ESL and Sears are always talking about integrated reatil, SYW etc. Does anyone find it strange that Sears Canada is not a SYW participant? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spekulatius Posted January 8, 2014 Share Posted January 8, 2014 One other data point re Sears. A friend was talking about the trouble with finding non trashy clothes for their daughter. She said "Lands End makes some modest clothes that aren't as trendy but they're very expensive." I don't have daughters so I have no idea what girls clothes are like out there or prices, but maybe Sears has a market for moms looking for modest clothes for daughters. I like Lands' end cloth. I have bought quite a few myself (almost all of them on sale) over the years and they are if good quality and last a long time. I love the Pima polo's, Squall jackets. My Son uses LE lunch boxes and the iron knee pants (which last longer than other pants). LE for me is probably the best brand in the Sears fold, although it is clear from the financials, that is has been mismanaged as well, just like the rest if Sears, but i think the brand name is OK and separable from the other retail operation, unlike SHOS, which Is still pretty much connection financially, via product sourcing and the brand name. I don't buy into the bull thesis for Sears. I believe the current operating losses are too high to hope for much value to be extracted. I actually think that the spinoffs of LE, Sears CA and SHOS is Eddie's attempt to at least pick up some meat from the bones for the shareholders and leave the carcass (Sears and Kmart retail) to the creditors. Maybe he has other tricks up the sleeve too, but it's tough to bet on that, given the lack of transparency. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adesigar Posted January 8, 2014 Share Posted January 8, 2014 Since when did Sears start selling Vacations that too on Layaway? https://www.searsvacations.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adesigar Posted January 8, 2014 Share Posted January 8, 2014 Also noticed http://www.searsvehicleprotectionplan.com/ and http://www.searsdrivingschools.com/ and http://www.servicelive.com/ which looks like Angies List Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DCG Posted January 8, 2014 Share Posted January 8, 2014 This company is such a scattered mess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke 532 Posted January 8, 2014 Share Posted January 8, 2014 Yes, I bought a shitload of the $45 strike price January 15 call options in our U.S. fund...4% of the fund...I paid $6. That's why I haven't talked about Sears on the board for the last two months. Cheers! Sorry, that should have said $8. We had an order in to buy more when SHLD dropped to $39 a couple of weeks ago, but it didn't get filled. Cheers! Those 45-strike 2015's are going for just a tad more than $8 again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krazeenyc Posted January 8, 2014 Share Posted January 8, 2014 Just saw on the local news that the Landover Mall store in Prince George County, MD (just outside Washington DC) is closing soon as well. Believe it or not is was the only store that was still open in a otherwise vacant mall for the past several years according to the newscast report. It is interesting. Apparently they just announced that Sears sold their land at that site to Lerner Enterprises. Lerner Enterprises plans to build an FBI building(s) there. Lerner mentions that with the Sears now closing -- it ends the confusion of whether the entire site (Landover Mall) was available for the project -- I wonder if Sears was holding out for a better price all the years lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest wellmont Posted January 8, 2014 Share Posted January 8, 2014 Since when did Sears start selling Vacations that too on Layaway? https://www.searsvacations.com/ must be one of things that "stuck" when they were throwing stuff at the wall way back when? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kraven Posted January 8, 2014 Share Posted January 8, 2014 Just saw on the local news that the Landover Mall store in Prince George County, MD (just outside Washington DC) is closing soon as well. Believe it or not is was the only store that was still open in a otherwise vacant mall for the past several years according to the newscast report. It is interesting. Apparently they just announced that Sears sold their land at that site to Lerner Enterprises. Lerner Enterprises plans to build an FBI building(s) there. Lerner mentions that with the Sears now closing -- it ends the confusion of whether the entire site (Landover Mall) was available for the project -- I wonder if Sears was holding out for a better price all the years lol. Article in today's Washington Post - http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/with-sears-closing-lerner-enterprises-pursues-fbi-headquarters/2014/01/07/a3038176-77d2-11e3-af7f-13bf0e9965f6_story.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke 532 Posted January 8, 2014 Share Posted January 8, 2014 Interesting quote I had previously overlooked in this article: http://www.jsonline.com/business/kmart-to-close-3-stores-eliminate-over-300-jobs-b99178509z1-238950551.html "We are currently engaged in discussions with Brookfield Square mall owner CBL regarding its redevelopment plans, which will continue to include a significant Sears presence. It's premature to comment further at this time," Riefs said. BTShine commented about 6 months ago on CBL. Here's an excerpt from his post... What is the CBL related Sears property worth? Well, if it could be leased for even $10/square foot, it would generate $93 million each year. At a cap rate of 6.7%, this space would be worth over $2 Billion. Only 9 million of SHLD's 200+ million square feet. Potentially $1.4 Billion in value. Interesting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BTShine Posted January 8, 2014 Share Posted January 8, 2014 Good find Luke. There was a typo when I said "over $2 Billion." Meant to say over $1 Billion. I stand by the estimate of $1.4 Billion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke 532 Posted January 8, 2014 Share Posted January 8, 2014 Another user who prefers to keep a low profile just sent me this... Cuhaci Peterson Architects awarded contract on redevelopment project in Hialeah http://www.international.to/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=27180:cuhaci-peterson-architects-awarded-contract-on-redevelopment-project-in-hialeah&catid=309:pitchengine&Itemid=446 ORLANDO, Fla. --- Cuhaci & Peterson Architects Engineers Planners, based in Orlando’s Baldwin Park started work on a redevelopment project with Sears Holding Co. on a former K-Mart facility in Hialeah. Lonnie Peterson, chairman at Cuhaci & Peterson, said the facility, originally 100,000 square feet and now under construction, will be home to an 18,000 square foot Aldi grocery store and an 80,000 Sears store. Cuhaci & Peterson Architects is one of the nation’s leading designers of retail space with projects that total more than two million square feet annually. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeffmori7 Posted January 8, 2014 Share Posted January 8, 2014 Luke, it seems a good start for SHLD in 2014..already some interesting development, and we are not in mid-January yet. Is it biased or are we really seeing more news than last year? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke 532 Posted January 8, 2014 Share Posted January 8, 2014 Luke, it seems a good start for SHLD in 2014..already some interesting development, and we are not in mid-January yet. Is it biased or are we really seeing more news than last year? Although I haven't taken the time to compare the number of store closings in, say, the past 3 months vs the 3 months late 2012/early 2013, it certainly seems to me that things are moving at a more rapid pace. Looks like I'm not the only one... July 2013: Well it really should have always been a REIT, but they were too slow in that shift. I think they are finally moving the chains alot quicker. If they do it fast enough and well enough, there is great value in monetizing the real estate assets...but they have to execute and fast! Cheers! September 2013: Sanjeev, What caused you to change your mind on Sears? Faster monetization of the real estate and faster closing of stores? Yup, especially when details of Seritage Realty Trust started to come out, and they announced the redevelopment plan of the store and property here in Burnaby. I realized Eddie was getting serious about liquidating or monetizing the real estate when you started to see these core properties in the news. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ERICOPOLY Posted January 8, 2014 Share Posted January 8, 2014 Another user who prefers to keep a low profile just sent me this... Cuhaci Peterson Architects awarded contract on redevelopment project in Hialeah http://www.international.to/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=27180:cuhaci-peterson-architects-awarded-contract-on-redevelopment-project-in-hialeah&catid=309:pitchengine&Itemid=446 ORLANDO, Fla. --- Cuhaci & Peterson Architects Engineers Planners, based in Orlando’s Baldwin Park started work on a redevelopment project with Sears Holding Co. on a former K-Mart facility in Hialeah. Lonnie Peterson, chairman at Cuhaci & Peterson, said the facility, originally 100,000 square feet and now under construction, will be home to an 18,000 square foot Aldi grocery store and an 80,000 Sears store. Cuhaci & Peterson Architects is one of the nation’s leading designers of retail space with projects that total more than two million square feet annually. So they eliminate a KMart, install a relatively smaller Sears store, and presumably lease 18,000 sqft of space to a grocery store. I guess somewhere else nearby they will close down a Sears store and sell the underlying real estate. Taken together, they 1) monetize the Sears real estate 2) push the Sears inventory into a smaller 80,000 sqft footprint (presumably an attractive, renovated store) 3) Make better use of the very cheap long term lease rates of their KMart property Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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