TigerDirect, one of the few hardware stores that had a brick and mortar presence in the market, is closing its retail stores by the end of the second quarter of 2015.
According to a press release from its parent company Systemax, Systemax Chairman and CEO Richard Leeds said that TigerDirect wants to focus on a business-to-business and public sector customer approach.
“These actions will include the exit of substantially all retail store operations; closing a distribution center; and implementing a general workforce reduction to realign our resources solely with our B2B focus. We have engaged Gordon Brothers to assist with the retail store process and anticipate that all of these actions will be completed by the end of the second quarter."
The news was further confirmed on Reddit, where a TigerDirect employee from southwest Florida posted details from a meeting. According to the post, the company is closing a majority of the stores, with only stores in Miami, Florida; Puerto Rico; Jefferson, Georgia; and an unnamed fourth location remaining open.
I also called up the nearest TigerDirect stores in the area in Vernon Hills, Illinois and Hoffman Estates, Illinois. Both were closed today. Bargain sales and markdowns start today at the remaining open stores, but it's still unclear as to how long those stores will have until they close their doors for good.
The closing of TigerDirect's brick and mortar stores seems inevitable when looking at the shift in online shopping in just the last few years. When it comes to buying PC hardware, most people will buy from Newegg and other online retailers (including TigerDirect). Gone are the days when you physically went to a shop and held each part in your hand before making a purchase.
It's still unknown as to how the elimination of retail stores will affect TigerDirect's online sales, but considering the closings it could be surviving by a thread.
Follow Rexly Peñaflorida II @Heirdeux. Follow us @tomshardware, on Facebook and on Google+.
