Great American Business Leaders of the 20th Century

Wurtzel took the helm of his family’s electronic retailing business and built it into a major retailer of electronics and appliances. He discontinued the company’s discount operations and invested heavily in two retailing concepts – a large-scale home appliance superstore (considered the first such superstore concept in electronics retailing) and a smaller, portable brand-name electronics storefront. Wurtzel perfected this merchandising strategy as his chain expanded throughout the United States, and under his direction, the firm’s business tripled.