Sidney Doolittle
| Sidney N. Doolittle | |
| Born | September 7, 1934, Binghamton, New York, United States |
| Died | December 27, 2017, Evanston, Illinois, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Retail Consultant, Co-founder of Warehouse Club, Inc. and McMillanDoolittle |
| Years active | 1957–2017 |
| Known for | Founding Warehouse Club, Inc.; pioneering work in wholesale retail and retail consulting |
| Spouse | Barbara Colsten (m. 1956; d. 2017) |
| Children | 3 |
Sidney N. Doolittle (September 7, 1934 – December 27, 2017) was an American retail consultant and co-founder of Warehouse Club, Inc. and McMillanDoolittle, a retail consulting firm. Doolittle played a key role in shaping the wholesale club industry, influencing notable figures such as Walmart founder Sam Walton.[1]
Early Life and Career
Born in Binghamton, New York, Doolittle graduated with an engineering degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1957. Soon after, he joined Montgomery Ward in Chicago, where he would work for 28 years, ultimately serving as Vice President of the Catalog Division. His tenure at Montgomery Ward provided foundational knowledge in direct-to-consumer retail and high-efficiency merchandising.[2]
Founding of Warehouse Club, Inc.
In 1982, Doolittle left Montgomery Ward to co-found Warehouse Club, Inc., an early membership-based wholesale chain, in Niles, Illinois. Doolittle’s innovative approach to wholesale retail attracted the attention of Sam Walton, who visited Warehouse Club for insights that would influence Walmart’s own membership model, Sam’s Club.[1] He also met with Sol Price, founder of Price Club, to discuss industry strategies.[3]
McMillanDoolittle and Legacy
In 1986, Doolittle co-founded the consulting firm McMillanDoolittle in Chicago with Norm McMillan. Known as a "merchant’s merchant," he applied his expertise to refine strategies for high productivity retailing, significantly impacting clients like Staples and shaping retail models internationally, especially in emerging markets like Thailand.[4]
Doolittle was widely respected in the retail community for his practical approach to consulting and for his commitment to fostering company culture. His legacy endures through McMillanDoolittle and the principles he instilled in the firm.[4]
Retail Philosophy and Contributions
Doolittle described himself as a lifelong student of retailing. In a 1999 interview, he highlighted the emergence of the "efficient" consumer, a trend he noted as a shift from traditional shopping toward highly targeted buying experiences. He observed that these consumers prioritized efficient and satisfying retail interactions, which pressured retailers to innovate continuously.[5]
Doolittle admired retail pioneers like Sam Walton, who he met during his tenure at Warehouse Club. Walton’s visits were a testament to Doolittle’s influence, as Walton often took detailed notes during his observations at Warehouse Club.[6]
Civic Engagement
Doolittle was an active member of his community, serving as an elder and Sunday School teacher at Northminster Presbyterian Church in Evanston and as a volunteer at Presbyterian Homes. He held a distinguished Emeritus Board position with the Greater Chicago Chapter of the American Red Cross and served as president of the Rotary Club of Evanston Lighthouse.[7]
Personal Life
Doolittle was married to Barbara Colsten for 61 years, and together they had three children. He passed away on December 27, 2017, in Evanston, Illinois, at the age of 83.[1]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Bartling, Charles. "Warehouse club pioneer dies in Evanston." Evanston Now, January 2, 2018.
- ↑ "Founder a Force in Retail, Civic Affairs." Chicago Tribune. December 29, 2000.
- ↑ "Sidney Doolittle: Our Co-Founder Passes Away." McMillanDoolittle, 2018.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Sidney Doolittle: Our Co-Founder Passes Away." McMillanDoolittle, 2018.
- ↑ Johnson, Jay L. "Face to Face...With Sid Doolittle." Discount Merchandiser. May 1999.
- ↑ Johnson, Jay L. "Face to Face...With Sid Doolittle." Discount Merchandiser. May 1999.
- ↑ "Sidney Doolittle Obituary." Chicago Tribune, January 2018.