Worst store names ever: Radio Shack rebrands as "The Shack"
So, Radio Shack has decided to rebrand as "The Shack", in an attempt to suggest a fun, familiar nickname to the masses, like "Tar-jay" for Target.
"Radio Shack" originally referred to the room on a ship that housed radio equipment, and Radio Shack the store developed a reputation as a source for electronics, including cables and adapters, according to PC World, so it was definitely a fitting name.
"The Shack," on the other hand, doesn't really conjure up visions of high quality merchandise in my mind.
For me, I encounter the epitome of this confusion between store names and its products on Route 40 in Catonsville ...
... every time I pass the Bedding Barn. What kind of discount bedding could they be selling from a barn --- bales of hay?!
I've bought apples from barns, and maybe some jam or milk. But aside from agrarian goods, there isn't much I want to buy from a Barn --- definitely not a Dress, and probably not a couch. Even stylish Pottery Barn seems suspect to me.
"Factory" restaurants, whether they are mass-producing Cheesecake, Old Spaghetti or otherwise, are another offender ... At least they aren't claiming "homemade" delights, but frankly the idea of pulling up a chair at the assembly line for a meal turns me off.
What about you? Any unfortunate store or restaurant names that make you giggle or recoil?
(photo: Associated Press)
Comments
No, this is the second worst rebranding. The #1 spot goes to Pizza Hut for rebranding as "The Hut." This makes one think of Jabba the Hutt (or if you prefer Spaceballs, Pizza the Hutt) -- and I'm sure they don't want their business equated with giant blobby creatures.
Aha, yes! I don't think anyone would mistake that place for an "Italian bistro" even if they do sell pasta. --- lfk.
Posted by: A Noun | August 10, 2009 12:45 PM
Very funny observations.
Bedding Barn might be trying to gain some advantage by spinning off the popularity of Pottery Barn. Reminds me of a place on Greenmount Avenue a few years back called Kennedy Fried Chicken. The sign used white lettering on a red background. And it was only a few blocks north of KFC.
I bought chicken there once just so I could say I did. I have never had a more greasy fried chicken leg.
I've eaten at Kennedy Fried Chicken before, and even Kansas Fried Chicken. But as a New Yorker, I've been puzzled by Baltimore's many New York Fried Chicken joints ... because up there we always ate the Kentucky variety.
Here's a New York Times article about the Kennedy Fried Chicken phenomenon. --- lfk.
--- lfk.
Posted by: Gregory Hartzler-Miller | August 11, 2009 9:40 PM