Sears and Kmart will be closing some stores

**imagine** · 12-27-2011, 08:49 AM

I heard this on the news this am.

"Between 100 and 120 Sears and Kmart stores will be closed, the retailer said Tuesday, after terrible holiday sales during what is the most crucial time of the year for retailers."

Sears to close 100 to 120 Kmart, Sears stores ? USATODAY.com

**AmyBoz** · 12-27-2011, 10:18 AM

Sears said it will no longer prop up "marginally performing" stores in hopes of improving their performance and will now concentrate on cash-generating stores.

This makes good business sense, and I'm surprised that they've waited so long to do this.

"There's no reason to go to Sears," said New York-based independent retail analyst Brian Sozzi, "It offers a depressing shopping experience and uncompetitive prices."

I couldn't agree more with this statement. I feel the same way about Kmart. The ones around here are always stale, dirty, and leave you feeling like you need to take a shower when you leave.

I'd have been interested to know, however, how their online sales were. I recently discovered the Kmart website and got quite a few gifts from there. The website was great, the delivery was cheap and quick and I was very happy with the experience.

**McD** · 12-27-2011, 11:13 AM

I haven't stepped foot in a Kmart in years, but I don't like our local Sears store.

They have it SO crowded that it is next to impossible to manuever, especially if I have one or both of the kids with me.

**madhen** · 12-27-2011, 11:26 AM

I always go to our K-Mart vs Walmart, but the reasons I like it are probably the reasons Sears/KMart is having problems. It is always a nice shopping experience, vs. dealing with rude crowds at Wal-Mart; the cashiers are pleasant, vs. the cashiers at Wal-Mart who usually don't even bother making eye contact; the prices are super reasonable and the products I buy LAST, vs. cheap prices and CHEAP products at Wal-Mart. About the only thing I'll buy at Wal-Mart now is RH yarn, because K-Mart stopped carrying yarn a few years back. Even then, I'll try to get it at Michael's, on my way to/from work, because EVERY SINGLE TIME I go to Wal-Mart, I regret it.

I really hope our K-Mart doesn't close, because then I'll have to get really creative when I need some little household appliance or product that the grocery stores don't sell!

**Holly** · 12-27-2011, 11:48 AM

Our Kmart store here is good . Its one of their money makers so think they are safe. The Sears store also. ( only one for 50 miles between Albany , NY and Syracuse , NY
I just glad my husband is out of there.

**pollypurebred39** · 12-27-2011, 11:49 AM

I'm not a fan of Wal-Mart myself, for all the above reasons and more.

I've got a sinking feeling our K-mart is on the list. We live in sparsely populated area and they've already tried to close our K-mart once. The area protested and they changed their minds, but I doubt they'll keep it open if we protest again. I just don't think we have enough people in our area to make it a money maker.

Everything here is pretty far away. Wal-Mart is the next store of it's kind and that's a 1/2 hour or so away. After that is Good's, kind of like an Amish K-mart. Goods is about 45 minutes away with very odd hours.

Hmmm...maybe target? That's about 25 minutes from here.

*sigh* Sad to see more jobs lost.

**shoiji** · 12-27-2011, 12:15 PM

Hardly go to kmart anymore. Mainly because it is difficult for me to get to. Do like going to Sears at the mall. Just sad to see they are closing stores. Felt the same way when Woolworth closed down. Sure there are tons of stores to choose from but when you grow up around them and think of them as good reliable stores just hard to say goodbye.

**piney** · 12-27-2011, 12:22 PM

We don't have a K mart in the town i live in but the ones i have been in was as nice as any store and i enjoyed shopping in them and got some great bargains was hoping they would put one in this town but no chance of that if they are closing stores.I dislike WalMart less all time but it close so i go there.

**227melissa** · 12-27-2011, 12:44 PM

They closed all the Kmarts a couple of years ago here, then reopened one before Christmas. Used to always buy appliances from Sears until last year, wanted to purchase a chest freezer from Sears was in the store 30 mins before anyone helped me and then they weren't from that dept. Went to Lowes, picked one out, paid 50.00 less and set up delivery within 15 min plus free delivery and set up. Now I will buy from Lowes next time I need and appliance.

There is a reason why a company starts losing sales, the company that survives looks at the problem and fixes it. Sears/Kmart has not done that.

**frugalnana** · 12-27-2011, 12:48 PM

I'll have to watch our newspapers to see if ours will close. The one near me has been here since my 20's and the other on the north end of town has been here since I was about 9 years old. I shop maybe 3 times a year there. My mother prefers Kmart over Walmart. Myself I used to like both, but our Kmart may have 1 or 2 cashiers working and the lines can be long. The walmart here aggravates me, rude people, poor selection of products. I personally have made a circle of stores I shop and then when its grocery shopping day I just go in my loop, I'm back shopping at a local grocer because everything is fresh (meats) every day.
I had an experience with Sears a few weeks ago, my washer went out, so off I go with my father (I wanted his opinion) to by a new washer. After about 45 minutes I finally find one I like and it is one without an agitator and has precise water fill, energy saver. The delivery would be free, because it was going to be after taxes around $608. About killed me on the price. Then the lady says it is not in stock and it will be delivered 9 days from now. I chuckled because in my household that would be a no, no. My dh has work uniforms, I have a 5 year old and my other son is back at home and grandkids. So I said I'm sorry for taking up your time but that won't work. So I went to H and H Gregg and found almost the same washer only 45% off, only difference it had an agitator. I got free delivery, and after taxes it was $319. The salesmen called me that night to tell me I was going to get my washer the next day because the delivery guys came back to pick up other orders.

Then he also told me that when he was doing stock inventory he found my washer without the agitator and gave it to me without extra charge with new hoses. That made my day.
So for me I shop until I find what I want at a better price. My father swears my Sears. But not me. That is the first time I was there in about 2 years.

**Contrary Housewife** · 12-27-2011, 01:42 PM

"There's no reason to go to Sears," said New York-based independent retail analyst Brian Sozzi, "It offers a depressing shopping experience and uncompetitive prices."

I couldn't agree more with this statement. I feel the same way about Kmart. The ones around here are always stale, dirty, and leave you feeling like you need to take a shower when you leave.

I think you said it. I think Sears is out of touch with shoppers today, and aside from the Craftsman tools there's no reason to go there. I've been in there from time to time recently and they never have what I'm looking for. KMart is the closest store to our house and it is about as pleasant as you decribe. I never shop there. I'll drive 30-40 minutes away to shop.

Neither chain has locations in shopping areas where people with money go to shop. The Kmarts here are in low-income areas, and the Sears stores are all in older neighborhoods with retired or lower middle class working families. Not the kind of people who shop till they drop or buy a lot of home decor or follow new buying trends.

**Persimmon Lace** · 12-27-2011, 01:49 PM

I love my Kmart store and since the brought in the rewards program I love it even more! I racked 156.00 in rewards to use for Christmas. And our store is clean, well stocked and the people are very friendly. I hope mine is not on the list. I despise Walmart. If it closes maybe we will get a Target. Nah, that won't happen!

**savvy_sniper** · 12-27-2011, 02:39 PM

K-Mart and Sears have been struggling for years. K-Mart pulled out of the Houston market several years ago. It is funny to see K-Mart commercials on TV and know that there isn't one in the area!

Sears does have a hardware type store close to my house that I like. I can't tell you the last time I set foot in a Sears Department store. I can buy Craftsman tools at my local Ace Hardware too.

**Cricketlegs** · 12-27-2011, 04:19 PM

Both our Kmart and Sears are awful.

Dirty, disorganized, and with the prices higher than walmart and target. What is the point of going to a store with problems like that?

Also, Kmart has a funky smell to it.......blech!

**Kitten20** · 12-27-2011, 04:33 PM

My boyfriend is currently a seasonal employee for Sears in our area. When they announced their extended hours for the holidays, my boyfriend commented that the store was dead during those hours. I have a sinking feeling that he won't be asked to stay on after the holidays, as the store may be closing now!

Before he got the job, I hadn't been to Sears in ages. I started going because of his discounts and was not dissatisfied with the experience - I just hate going to the mall, so it is not convienent for me.

K-Mart... I have no negative feelings towards the one here, other than the fact that it can be hard to find things. The K-Mart in our area is usually pretty dead, though.