Sears to close 78 stores this summer

Associated Press ^ | Apr 21, 2016 7:06 PM EDT | Anne D’Innocenzio

[Olog-hai]

Sears Holdings Corp. will close another 78 stores — 68 Kmart units, and 10 Sears stores — as it looks to restore profitability.

That accounts for about 5 percent of its store base, which is nearly 1,700 stores.

The ailing company, based in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, had said in February that it would accelerate the closing of unprofitable stores following a “challenging” holiday season. The move announced Thursday is expected to generate a “meaningful level” of cash from the liquidation of store inventories and from the sale or sublease of some of the related real estate, it said Thursday.

All 10 Sears stores and nearly all the Kmart stores will close in late July. Two Kmart stores will close in mid-September. …

[dfwgator]

They’re toast.

[Slyfox]

When I first moved to Dallas from Michigan, way back, I had Sears put in an air conditioner on my brand new Chevy Nova for me. Well, they punched a hole in my transmission and I about lost my engine. Why go to Sears when you can get better service elsewhere?

[Grams A]

Funny to hear someone talk about Monkey Wards - that’s what we called it when I was growing up. I moved from KC to Texas in 1985. Still have the Kenmore washer and dryer I bought just before I left and both are doing fine. Hope they last as long as I do because I hate the new ones. My son has all his grandfather’s old Craftsman tools which are just like new in spite of being frequently used for so many years.

[Spunky]

"I’d much rather see Starbucks fold."

I think that is going to happen sooner then later. Who could afford a $5:00 coffee latte when the recession hits?

[wally_bert]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5GZRnJTO5E

[reaganaut]

Their shop vacs are better than anyone else’s though and Mr R has severe allergies and with a HEPA filter they beat out ANY other vacuum, even the high end “allergy” ones. The filters are less too. Plus no brush means my long hair isn’t clogging it and in case of flood or toilet overflow, you can still vac.

I haven’t used their auto services in over 10 years after a bad experience.

[Nuc 1.1]

When I was young it was a great store. Great service, excellent high quality merchandise. Helpful knowledgable staff and check out registers in every department. Sears really started hitting the skids in the late seventies and early eighties. American corporate management on display for all to see. Gone were the knowledgeable friendly staff. Gone were the department check outs, in their place... Cheap merchandise, no staff in the departments, long lines in the check out lines, and a take it or leave it attitude. Not to mention the few minimum wage know nothings that replaced all the great people that once worked there. Once a truly fine American brand almost destroyed by our knowledgable, college educated, never done anything, business managers.

[Nuc 1.1]

My 27 year old Chraftsman shop vac still runs strong. I still have many of the Craftsman tools that helped me build many a fine car. Great memories.

[Nuc 1.1]

Make that 47 year old Craftsman shop vac. This getting old is rediculous!

[Osage Orange]

Monkey Wards..HA!!

I have probably $1000's of dollars worth of Craftsman tools in my house..and garage. They are reliable, and with a good policy...

[Dr. Sivana]

List of the 154 Walmarts that are closing in the US

In Walmart's case, they often close a small store because a Super Walmart is going up nearby. There's a Super Walmart going up on Victory Drive in Columbus, so I am confident that the smaller one on nearby Buena Vista (both downscale areas) will be closing soon.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

I’ve always liked Craftsman Tools. Too bad Sears just doesn’t sell off the important brands, liqudate the real estate and go dark...

[dfwgator]

I’ve always liked Craftsman Tools.

[Some Fat Guy in L.A.]

Used to prefer KMart to WalMart years ago before Sears bought them. Their Basic Editions clothes were cheap and decent quality and they sold them in big & tall sizes. Great for wearing around the house.

[Falconspeed]

Sears. My parents know three people who bought homes from Sears in the 1930’s. Sad to see Sears going downhill with cheap items from Chinese sweat shops.
Kmart. Mr. and Mrs. Dayton started Daytons and then Kmart. Now they are elderly and live near Pasadena.
Sports Authority. Closing 150 stores but still sponsor the Broncos stadium.
Walmart. My friend who works at Walmart in Valencia, CA says that everyone steals everything at Walmart. Sad.
Cosco and Starbucks. Started together in Seattle and both going strong.
$15 min. wage in California will close many stores and restaurants, sadly.
Economic growth? What is that? Socialists have the “draw bridge” mentality: “I’ve made my millions and I don’t want you to follow my footsteps.”

[Rockpile]

Kmart would stock shirts that were actually big enough and the patterns were not hideous. Also, the sporting goods manager at the Odessa, Tx store would order 16 gauge shells in August at real good prices and not just 12 and 20.

If they had left the oil patch stores open they would have done great business during the recent boom but with a bungling ass like Lampert running things, well ....

[MinuteGal]

The layoffs from all these thousands of retail stores across the country are beginning to be a sweeping tsunami.

I don't think most people know what the heck is going on, not only in retail but manufacuring, small businesses, etc. The total picture is not sinking in, yet...but it will soon.

Trump will pick up millions of votes across the fruited plain from all these marooned workers and their extended families.

I'm sure he'll continue to emphasize his premier campaign plank....jobs, jobs, jobs....and it'll pay off big time.

Leni

[DoughtyOne]

Good point Leni.

I can’t believe the GOPe thought this was a good time to play hardball with a guy focusing in on jobs.

Strategic suicide...

[Eagles6]

I still remember perusing the women's underwear section of the mail delivered 5 lb catalog.

Is that wrong? Does that make me a bad person?

[roadcat]

Sears and Roebuck used to be the go to store for tools, appliances, and home improvement.

I have fond memories of my Dad taking me with him to Sears just about every weekend, back in the early 1950s. It was huge, multiple stories taking up most of a block and half a block across the street (in San Francisco, long since gone in the 1970s). I enjoyed the snack counter where you could get hot dogs and popcorn cheap (yes they had snack counters inside back then). Then there was the garden center, and the automotive garage (yep, they had that also).

Later as an adult there were lots of problems with their customer support. I bought appliances, and they were always damaged upon delivery. One time I had to have them return and reship a fridge three times due to damage. Same with a washing machine. So I stopped shopping there since the 1980s.