Struggling electronics retailer RadioShack has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and says it will sell up to 2,400 stores. General Wireless, a subsidiary of Standard General, RadioShack’s largest shareholder, has agreed to buy 1,500 to 2,400 of the company’s U.S. stores. As part of the bankruptcy plan, Sprint may open mini-shops in as many as 1,760 of the acquired RadioShack stores.

The Fort Worth, Texas company said Thursday that it has filed a motion to proceed with closing the rest of its 4,000 U.S. stores. It is also having discussions to sell all of its remaining assets.

CROSSVILLE

The Crossville RadioShack is an independently owned and operated store and no matter what happens to RadioShack Corporate,  the local store will remain open – albeit possibly under a different name such Hi-Fi Village, the original store name.  It is not known how much of the RadioShack product will still be available and for how long.  RadioShack has informed most of the independent stores that they will still honor warranty contracts for the time being. Aside from selling RadioShack product, the Crossville store relies heavily on revenue from installation of car audio and even sound system installation for area churches along with electronic repair.

HISTORY

RadioShack Corp. introduced one of the first mass-market personal computers and used to be the go-to stop for consumers’ home electronics needs. But it struggled as shoppers increasingly shifted to making purchases online and growth in its wireless business slowed. It has suffered years of losses.  RadioShack had warned of a possible bankruptcy in September, but received rescue financing that kept it afloat. Still, its CEO recently cautioned the chain might not be able to find a long-term plan to stay in business.

RadioShack worked hard on its turnaround efforts, hiring Walgreen Co. executive Joseph Magnacca as its CEO and former Treasury Department adviser Harry J. Wilson as chief revitalization officer. It also developed relationships with popular brands like Beats Audio and redesigned almost half of its U.S. locations — some 2,000 stores — in an effort to entice younger shoppers.

The company, which has not turned a profit since 2011, still operates nearly 5,500 stores and employs about 27,500 people worldwide, according to its last annual report filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

RadioShack said Thursday that it also has more than 1,000 dealer franchise stores in 25 countries, stores operated by its Mexican subsidiary, and operations in Asia operations, which are not included in the Chapter 11 filing.