This document provides a comparison of riding lawn mowers for sale at four different retailers: Sears, Home Depot, Lowes, and Blain's. For each retailer, specifics are given about the featured riding lawn mower such as price, engine type, deck size, and product displays both in-store and online. Overall conclusions are drawn about the strengths and weaknesses of the riding lawn mower offerings and displays at each location.

1. COMP SHOP AUG. 2015

2. PROCESS
• Walked in main doors of store
• Focused on the first item I saw upon entering
• Not comparable from a buying standpoint

3. SEARS
Craftsman Pro
Series 26 HP V-
Twin Kohler Elite
54" Turn Tight
Extreme Garden
Tractor

4. HOME DEPOT
John Deere D125 42 in. 20 HP
V-Twin Hydrostatic Front-
Engine Riding Mower

5. LOWES
Husqvarna YTH24V48
V-Twin Hydrostatic 48-
in Riding Lawn Mower
with Briggs & Stratton
Engine and Mulching
Capable

6. BLAIN’S
Cub Cadet XT1 LT 54"
Lawn Tractor with
Fabricated Deck

7. Sears Home Depot Lowes Blain’s Farm and
Fleet
Item
description
Craftsman Pro
Series 26 HP V-
Twin Kohler
Elite 54" Turn
Tight Extreme
Garden Tractor
John Deere D125
42 in. 20 HP V-
Twin Hydrostatic
Front-Engine
Riding Mower
Husqvarna
YTH24V48 V-Twin
Hydrostatic 48-in
Riding Lawn
Mower with Briggs
& Stratton Engine
and Mulching
Capable
Cub Cadet XT1 LT
54" Lawn Tractor
with Fabricated
Deck
Engine Type 26 HP V-Twin
Kohler Elite
20 HP V-Twin John
Deere branded
engine
724cc Briggs &
Stratton V-Twin
18 HP Kohler OHV
engine
Deck size 54” 42” 48” 54”, fabricated
Max. speed 5.5 mph 5.5 mph 7.75 mph 5.5 mph
Turning
radius
5” 18” 16” 16”
A quick overview comparison of each item.

8. SEARS
CRAFTSMAN PRO

9. SEARS ITEM SPECIFICS
• in-store and online price: $3299.99
• Original price: $3899.99
• Shipping rate in store: $69.99
• Shipping rates online: Free
• 5-year in home repair protection agreement $889.99
(less than $15 a month), 3-year $569.99 (less than $16 a
month)
• Adjacencies: Sign for Craftsman ZTR, Craftsman Pro 50”
deck
• Customer ratings/reviews: Best Buy sign
• Online: 64% would recommend, 3.5 stars (consumer
reports)

10. SEARS ITEM DISPLAY
• The first item
seen on the
sales floor at
Sears after
passing
through
entrance

11. SEARS ITEM DISPLAY- ONLINE
Pros:
Variety of
displays of the
product
Video format is
informative
Cons:
Only 11
reviews
Only 64%
would
recommend

12. SEARS ITEM DISPLAY- ONLINE (CONT.)
Pros:
Variety of
displays of the
product
Video format is
informative
Cons:
Only 11
reviews
Only 64%
would
recommend

13. Strengths
Ability to
“experience” mower
Number of Brands=
2
Associates
Price point/sale
(getting a good deal)
Weaknesses
Attachment
Assortment
Wordy signage
Product selection
(No ZTR on display)
Overall Sears Conclusion

14. Opportunities
Implementation
of U.M.E.
Signage
Ability to step up
within a brand
Threats
Rest of mall was
closed
Weather
Overall Sears Conclusion

15. HOME DEPOT
JOHN DEERE D125

16. HOME DEPOT ITEM SPECIFICS
• Same online and in-store price: $1799.99
• Same as original price
• Shipping rates online: Free
• 3 year protection plan (30% reimbursement for
select maintenance parts, 3 years start when
manufacturer coverage ends, mechanical defects
from normal wear and tear) : $280.00
• Attachments (in-store): none
• Attachments(Online): Canopy,
2 bar bumper, blade attachment
• Adjacencies: D105 JD 42”

17. HOME DEPOT ITEM DISPLAY- OUTSIDE
Pros:
Riding mowers were
set up directly outside
of the entrance
Cons:
Broken signage
Dirty/dusty riding
mowers

18. Pros:
Riding mowers were the
first product seen upon
entering the store
Signage clear and easy
to read/follow
Cons:
No attachments on
display (all online)
HOME DEPOT ITEM DISPLAY- INSIDE

19. HOME DEPOT ITEM DISPLAY- ONLINE
Pros:
171 reviews (more
trustworthy)
Very organized and
easy to find product
Cons:
Too simple layout

20. Strengths
Placement of Item
(Outside and Inside)
Easy to read indoor
signage
Online Reviews
Easy to find/navigate
online
Weaknesses
Not able to find location
of attachments inside
Un-kept look to outdoor
tractors
Not a large selection
No sale price
Overall Home Depot Conclusion

21. LOWES
HUSQVARNA YTH24V48

22. LOWES ITEM SPECIFICS
• Same online and in-store price:
$1999.99
• Same as original price
• Shipping rates online: Free
• 3-year Outdoor Power Equipment Extended Protection
plan: $199.97
• 4-year Outdoor Power Equipment Extended Protection
Plan: $269.97
• Attachments in-store: Has bagger on display
• Attachments online: “Wait! Don’t forget these!”
• Adjacencies: Lawn mowers (inside), JD 42” and
Husqvarna 22 HP V-twin (outside)

23. LOWES ITEM DISPLAY

24. HOME DEPOT ITEM DISPLAY- ONLINE

27. Strengths
Placement of Item
(Outside and Inside)
Easy to read indoor
and outdoor signage
Reviews online
Easy to find/navigate
online
Weaknesses
Small font on
signage specifics
Un-kept look to
outdoor tractors
No sale price
Overall Lowes Conclusion

28. BLAIN’S
CUB CADET XT1

29. BLAIN’S ITEM SPECIFICS
• In-store price: $2299.99
• Online price and Original: $2499.99
• Shipping rates online: $100
• Extended Service Program
• Attachments online: Bagger kit, mow-n-vac
• Adjacencies: Cub Cadet ZTR, 50” XT1 Cub Cadet 24hp
Kohler
• No online or in-store customer input/reviews

30. BLAIN’S ITEM DISPLAY

31. BLAIN’S ITEM DISPLAY- ONLINE

32. Strengths
Fabricated
deck- thicker
Assortment of
Tractors and
accessories
Weaknesses
No reviews
High Shipping
costs
Overall Blain’s Conclusion