Sears launches online marketplace, opens Web to outside vendors and competitors

Sears expands online efforts

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Sears Holdings Corp. joined at least two other major retailers Thursday in allowing third parties — including some rivals — to sell items on its Web site.

Sears’ latest push to beef up its Web presence follows similar moves by Wal-Mart Stores Inc., at walmart.com, and by Amazon.com, which have tussled recently over prices for books, movies and music.

Officials wouldn’t say how many products were available at Sears.com before the announcement of “Marketplace at Sears.com.” But they said more than 10 million items were being sold there through 1,500 outside vendors by Thursday.

The vendors will pay Sears a listing fee plus a commission on any sales they make through the site. Sears didn’t say how much it expects to make through the venture.

In late August Wal-Mart began selling third-party home and baby products, toys, clothing, sporting goods and sports memorabilia.

Amazon began its similar practice of letting third parties sell items to its shoppers in 2000.

Sears has launched a series of online ventures since its chairman, financier Edward Lampert, announced in May 2008 that Sears Holdings would get more innovative online to lure shoppers who had been shunning its Kmart and Sears stores.

Shoppers can now buy goods at Sears.com from Boscov’s, Cabela’s, J.C. Penney Co., Dillard’s and other department stores and direct competitors, along with smaller, niche Web vendors.

A search for flatware, for example, retrieves listings not only for Sears’ and Kmart’s Web sites but also those of Crate & Barrel and Williams-Sonoma, CHEFS Catalog, Overstock.com, SeenonTVCentral.com and others.

The merchant that actually sells an item must ship it, while and Sears is responsible for customer service, including returns.