A sincere tip of the cap and hearty golf clap to my former client, colleague and most of all friend Kathy Kolder, who just wrapped up an amazing (35 year) round as Co-founder and CXO of pre-eminent technology retailer #Fry’sElectronics. Kathy stepped down at the end of this year after overseeing the amazing ascent of @Fry’sElectronics, an innovator of the superstore concept who’s merchandising strategy called for placing computer chips and grocery store items next to semiconductor chips, motherboards and a whole bunch of finished goods including software, hardware, cameras, TV’s and other goods across the office, appliance, consumer electronics genres.
It’s also noteworthy that Kathy started this biz at a time when the business wasn’t just male dominated but a row of frat-like houses ran by techies and her role required that she walk in to these ‘tech shops’ and convince the would-be titans of industry (#Intel, #Apple #Seagate, #Microsoft #Compaq #Sony #Samsung #HP #CreativeLabs, et al.) that they should stack their beloved wares on shelves (in consumer packaging) as if on a grocery store counter. Btw, she not only convinced almost every tech executive who wanted to “live with the classes and sell to the masses” to do business with Fry’s but many of the said titans became devotees of Kathy and the learnings she provided them on selling across Fry’s and retail ultimately becoming the first stop of any new company considering bringing a new product to market.
From my perch at #ComputerRetailWeek (#CMP Media) and our numerous events, it was obvious the chain was the marvel of everyone but mostly the technology consumer who wore an engineering or developer title and would hang out at one of your 30+ stores for hours playing with gear, asking questions and just geeking out with staff and other shoppers on the latest and greatest gadgets. Impressive how you oversaw the acquisition of other major retail brands like #Egghead #Outpost and #IncredibleUniverse that enabled the chain to expand its store count and enhance its digital footprint in ecommerce and outlast competitors like #CircuitCity #GoodGuys #CompUSA #Computer City and countless others.
But with growth comes new challenges so Kathy set aside her passion for marketing and merchandising and took on Legal, HR, Construction, Insurance. Who does that? And she owned it - not according to me or her but her peers and competitors that kept the Fry’s Team ahead of the pack in those key areas allowing it to thrive and survive in challenging times. Those that sought results and action turned to Kathy, who also added on roles like running a PGA Tour golf event to the local Ballet Co., and other elaborate business chores.
But yeah, the time has come, I guess, and my first thoughts are What a ride! And that the entire #Retail x #Tech industry owes you a debt of gratitude and best of luck to the team @Fry’s that remains.
On a personal side, it’s good to see you step away now. Not because of anything @Frys or challenges from #Walmart or #Amazon or your improving golf game. But there’s another great chapter in you Kath and I’m not sure it can be accomplished where you are today, and I look forward to watching, and learning more and I don’t think I’m alone.
Enjoy – and let’s tee it up soon!