Sears to Open First Golf In-Store Concept

The first Sears Edwin Watts Golf Shop will open May 31 in Murray, Utah, followed by openings in Hicksville, N.Y., Falls Church, Va., and Friendswood, Texas. The in-store concepts, which will range in size from 2,700 square feet to 3,000 square feet, will be positioned near Sears' electronics, tools, appliances and sporting goods departments.

"This first-of-its-kind partnership with Sears is a significant development in the golf industry as it expands the access of service-oriented golf retail to all levels of golfers, while helping to drive new players to the game," says John Watson, chief executive officer of Edwin Watts Golf Shops. "We chose to partner with Sears based on our strategic need for a mall-based retailer with a national footprint, as well as affiliations

The shop-within-a-store models will offer select assortments in golf equipment and apparel, electronics and related golf accessories from brands such as Callaway, TaylorMade, Titleist, FootJoy, Adidas Golf, Cleveland, Cobra, Adams, Wilson and Champions Tour. The shops will staff Edwin Watts' sales associates.

"Sears Holdings is very pleased to welcome Edwin Watts Golf Shops into our Sears locations," says Jeff Stollenwerck, Sears Holdings' president of real estate. "We believe they are the perfect complementary retailer to our expansive sporting goods business and we look forward to seeing them surprise and delight customers with their first-class array of products and customer service."

Later openings are expected in Maryland, Illinois, New York, Florida and Kentucky.