The Downfall of Shopko | Retail Documentary & Analysis

This video explores all aspects of Shopko, a chain of regional discount department stores based in Wisconsin. It goes over their history, their stores, their problems, their strengths, and their ownership. They operate stores under the Shopko, Shopko Hometown, Shopko Express RX, and Shopko Optical Names in the Midwest and Western parts of the United States.
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Video Sources:
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Music:
Kid SOS by Noir Et Blanc Vie
Shredded aka Full Circle by Noir Et Blanc Vie
Crystal Child by Vexento
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[robitaill]

Now it's all remaining stores closing

[Veteran]

Our Shopko is one of the stores listed to close at the end of February. This store has only been open for about 3 years as it opened in June of 2015. This store was previously a ALCO store. ALCO-Duckwalls declared bankruptcy in October 2014 and Shopko came in and moved into several of the closed stores. It was pretty obvious that Shopko over expanded when it bought these stores. Our local Shopko also had a problem with incompetent store managers. These managers along with high prices is what doomed this particular store. Shopko was warned before this store ever opened that the person they were putting in as manager was going to cost them business. They ignored these warnings and the outcome was the closing of this store.

[jerethjones]

Just lost my job at shopko today, well at least till April when my store closes. I can agree over expansion was a problem, there is one store about 10 15 min away from one here. All 4 stores are closing in my city.

[heavenlorenz]

I'm an apparell manager for a Shopko Hometown. We take pride in our Apparell sections of the store. It's where a lot of Hometown stores shine. That, and our pet departments.

[jameslogan]

I worked at Shopko. Their prices were just too high. Always the dollars. Always the fucking dollars. (Casino)

[msjr]

I have worked for their pharmacy for 6 years, and it always seemed like they were trying to reinvent themselves. New colors, new gimmicks, new catch phrases, new look, new was always changing. I have to wonder if that was part of their problem. It was like they were screaming "I am horrible, sorry for not being good enough". Found out today, I am losing my pharmacy.

[linzeebats]

i miss being able to shop at shopko they always had amazing stuff for sale cute clothes and shoes

[mallaholicretailadventures]

I was at a shopko hometown in tuscola a few weeks back and it was not busy. The groceries were expensive. I love the stores though. I would prefer it over Wal-Mart. Hopefully these will survive. There is one in Dwight closing.

[MsJamiewoods]

I worked at the Kimberly, Wis. ShopKo autumn 1979. The grand opening was 11/1/1979 for store 128. It was really just the 28th store. The 1 meant the store. The pharmacy and optical departments had 2 and 3 as their first digits.

[Justin-Hill-]

I think the busiest Shopko store I've ever been inside of, was the location attached to Bay Park Square mall in Ashwaubenon (Green Bay), Wisconsin.

[peteri]

Loved the carpet on the pillar with the help button 😂

I can't believe that grocery area only opened less than 2 years ago as it looks awful! The shelving looks like they bought it from a closed down Kmart as it definitely wasn't new when it was installed as it looks very old. The whole store is the next Kmart, waiting to be liquidated.

People want a little retail theater when they shop with stores like Target improving their stores the ones who haven't invested will be left behind by younger generations as older ones who shop in stores like this age and die.

[mattplatt]

The store you went into was very nice. They forgot about these Utah stores 20 years ago. No remodels, updates, etc. But just as disorganized.

[jstar]

After working there for seven months I definitely noticed many of the same problems I had heard Toys R Us had. They kept pressing ridiculous policies and were obsessed with getting peoples information such as emails all in return for coupons that were never really worth it. And management was very full of themselves and rarely helped solve actual problems. I was not surprised at all when they announced they were closing.

[alienoutcast]

One of my favorite stores of all time I actually cried when my mom told me it was closing down

[rianathompson]

They really should have decided to keep the Green Bay store open. It’s 1st ever Shopko to open, pretty much historical. So sad to see it go :(

[ArmoredPorcupine]

Green Bay resident here, They're shutting down the first ever store in April. For those in the area, come buy a souvenir if you can, a lot of things on clearance.

[edmundrichter]

Farewell Shopko...its been wonderful. I'll NEVER forget you! St. Cloud East forever

[LSTNSCRFN]

There’s a Shopko in River Falls WI that closed as well. The town refused to build a Super Walmart depending on Shopko, they were in for a rude awaking. In Ellsworth WI the Albertsons that was turned into a Shopko the manager threatened to calm the cops because my sister had to use the bathroom and she threw up in there I did record it on my phone but the manager told me to delete it so it wouldn’t get through. I knew later on Shopko wouldn’t survive against Target and Walmart along with Online shopping, All department stores are becoming obsolete

[nahoebino]

I got a Shopko where I am, I never ever go to it, since it is a tad boring to me

[MsJamiewoods]

Most likely ShopKo likely never entered the Milwaukee market because Target was well established there in the early 80s. Then Zayre came into Milwaukee big time in 1982 opening in the former Treasure Island locations.