CircuitCity.com Offers wide range of consumer electronics to select from
Circuitcity.com -- Consumer Electronics
Circuit City Stores, Inc. is the second largest retailer of consumer electronics, personal computers and entertainment software in the United States, trailing only Best Buy and ahead of Wal Mart. It is credited with pioneering the electronics superstore concept, which featured a wide range of products in a huge location.
There are over 650 Circuit City stores in 45 states, selling a broad selection of televisions, DVD players, CDs and DVDs, personal computers and peripherals, digital cameras, camcorders, mobile computing devices, telephones, video games and the like.
The company also sells its products online. International operations are handled by InterTAN, a Canadian subsidiary with over 1,000 retail stores and dealer outlets in Canada.
At the end of its fiscal year in February 2007, Circuit City reported total sales of US$ 12.4 billion or a 7.2% growth from the previous year. Net income was pegged at -US$ 8.3 million. The company had more than 46,000 employees at that time. Its corporate headquarters are based in Richmond, Virginia.
History
The story goes that Samuel Wurtzel, an importer-exporter, had just sold his business and was on vacation in Virginia. While getting a haircut, he heard that the South's first commercial TV station would go on air in Richmond soon. He believed that this presented an ideal business opportunity to sell TV sets.
Wurtzel soon built the first retail television store in Richmond, Virginia and called it Wards -- the 'W' was for Wurtzel, while the “ARDS” was an acronym in honor of son Alan, wife Ruth, other son David and his own name, Samuel.
From retailing televisions, Wurtzel soon expanded into selling other appliances, and changed the name of his store to Wards Company. By 1959, he was running a chain of four stores, all in Richmond. His annual sales volume reached US$ 1 million.
By 1961, Wards had gone public, selling 110,000 shares for $5.375. In 1969, Wurtzel expanded into Washington as he bought Custom Electronics, Inc., a retailer of audio and hi-fi equipment. Wurtzel stepped down as company president in 1970 and was succeeded by his son Alan, a lawyer. Under Alan Wurtzel stewardship, Wards would reach new heights.
In 1974, Wards opened the first consumer electronics superstore, known as The Wards Loading Dock. The company converted its audio stores into full-service consumer electronics stores in 1977 and changed its name to Circuit City.
The superstore concept would go into full swing over the next decade. Circuit City would become Circuit City Stores in 1984. By 1987, revenues would reach $1 billion for the first time.
From there, Circuit City continued to expand, adding new products (such as personal computers) and acquiring more companies (such as used car retailer CarMax and digital music specialist MusicNow), until it became the giant that it is today.
Address
- 9954 Mayland Dr
- Richmond VA 23233 US
Additional Information
Languages
English
Community Reviews
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ONE SATISFIED CUSTOMER
I AM VERY IMPRESSED WITH THE BLACK FRIDAY SALES THAT CIRCUIT CITY OFFERS. I HAVE BOUGHT SEVERAL PC'S AND HAVE BEEN VERY SATISFIED WITH EVERYTHING ABOUT THE INCENTIVES FROM MANUFACTURE WARRANTIES, TO CIRCUIT CITY REBATES. CUSTOMER SERVICE THERE HAS ALSO BEEN A PLUS AT THAT TIME. MEANING, VERY HELPFUL EMPLOYEES. ONE IN PARTICULAR NAMED JESSICA.
- posted by anonymous on Feb 14, 2007
CEO at number two electronics retailer is paid more than number one Best Buy. Take that you sniveling overpaid and now laid off front line employees!
- posted by anonymous on November 23, 2007
One Unsatisfied Customer
I went to circuit city to return a laptop computer only to be hit with a 15% re-stocking fee. I told the sales representative that I am returning the laptop because of safely concerns with the paint used on the computer being made in China. Since a lot of toys are being recalled for this, it is safe to assume that the paint used on the computers are also lead based. By this explanation, I believe it fit the profile of returning damage products which wave the re-stocking fee. Since Circuit City has failed to honor it's contract, I can only sue the company selling dangerous products knowingly as the toys are being sold. Anyone else having this problem contact me to make this a class action lawsuit. Circuit City is not going to take my money and run. A dissatisfied once loyal customer. Contact me at 
for comments.
- posted by Roy Xavier Roddy
Related Domains
External Links
- Stock: CC
- Alexa: CircuitCity.com
