RadioShack, formerly RadioShack Corporation, is the trade name of an American retailer founded in 1921. The company was started as Radio Shack in 1921 to provide equipment for the young field of amateur, or ham radio. Their product line grew into not only electronic parts, but complete units of radios, computers, batteries, toys and other supplies.
The 21st century proved a period of long decline for the chain, which was slow to respond to key trends such as e-commerce. By 2011, smartphone sales, rather than general electronics, accounted for half of the chain's revenue. The traditional Radio Shack clientele of do-it-yourself tinkerers were increasingly sidelined. Electronic parts formerly stocked in stores were now mostly only available through on-line special order. Demand for consumer electronics was also increasingly being weakened by consumers buying the items online.
In "Exquisite Corpses", when their bus tour of murder sites of the 'RB Killer' is in danger of receiving a negative review by a Yelp blogger, Francine, Roger and Jeff try to come up with an idea to perk things up. Jeff gets a brainstorm and stops at Radio Shack to buy police band radios to hear of the killer's actions, but Roger instructs him to simply take them because the store is going out of business. The clerk protests that the store isn't closing just as a wrecking ball knocks a hole in the wall. The protests continue with less conviction as a second hole is made.