Witmark was a catalog showroom and

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electronics The field of electronics is a branch of physics and electrical engineering that deals with the emission, behaviour and effects of electrons using electronic devices. Electronics uses active devices to control electron flow by amplification ...

chain that operated in West Michigan from 1969 to 1997. The chain was founded by Paul Leven. Over its nearly 30-year history, Witmark dominated the jewelry market with an average of a 34% market share. The organization made it a point to develop and keep close ties with the communities the stores served. By the early 1990s, Witmark's earnings began to decrease due to continued involvement in unprofitable categories outside of jewelry. Big box stores such as

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Toys "R" Us Toys "R" Us is an American toy, clothing, and baby product retailer owned by Tru Kids (doing business as Tru Kids Brands) and various others. The company was founded in 1957; its first store was built in April 1948, with its headquarters loc ...

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, and

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captured the electronics, toy, and

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markets respectively and more effectively than Witmark could. In 1996, Witmark experienced its fourth consecutive year of declining sales and earnings, and the company announced changes to its operating strategy. Unfortunately, vast barriers—such as long-term leases on real estate—limited the company's ability to adapt to the changing business climate. The following year, Witmark liquidated its assets and laid off its 700+ employees. Like the larger national chains of catalog showrooms (such as Best Products), the retail concept collapsed in the late 1990s due to overwhelming competition from big box stores and Internet shopping.

Image gallery

File:WitmarkCatalogStore.jpg, The Plainfield Township, MI Witmark Catalog Showroom. Opened 1969, demolished 2021. File:WitmarkSign.jpg, Store sign from Plainfield Ave. File:witmark cat.jpg, Witmark catalog from the 1997 spring season.

External links

Muskegon Chronicle: "Witmark To Close All Stores"
{{portal, 1960s, 1980s, 1990s Defunct retail companies of the United States Catalog showrooms Companies based in Grand Rapids, Michigan American companies established in 1969 Retail companies established in 1969 Retail companies disestablished in 1997 Defunct companies based in Michigan 1969 establishments in Michigan