Sears/Kmart: Will 2020 be the end?
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Re: Sears/Kmart: Will 2020 be the end?
As we enter December, I am curious if we are entering the final nail in the coffin. The few stores left are not great, the logistics are a challenge at some stores (Southcenter and that Kmart in Hamilton, Montana are two examples, then there is Guam) and COVID 19 has not helped these chains. Craftsman, which was once exclusive to Sears, is also now being established at Lowe's. And Sears and Kmart aren't really advertising any more. The demise has been predicted for a few years now, I think we will see the two brands survive into 2021 but will be surprised if they (or at least Kmart) are still around a year from now.
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Re: Sears/Kmart: Will 2020 be the end?
Sears, Friendly Center, Greensboro NC, this past Saturday. This is a large mid-1970s store that has offloaded about 20% of its square footage to Whole Foods. It was actually better stocked than I expected and there were 10-15 customers inside. But still, the recruitment poster seems like a cruel joke...
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Re: Sears/Kmart: Will 2020 be the end?
The Sacramento Sears is also surprisingly well stocked... not necessarily stocked with particularly good merchandise, but it is surprisingly well stocked with what it has.Groceteria wrote: ↑December 7th, 2020, 2:28 pm Sears, Friendly Center, Greensboro NC, this past Saturday. This is a large mid-1970s store that has offloaded about 20% of its square footage to Whole Foods. It was actually better stocked than I expected and there were 10-15 customers inside. But still, the recruitment poster seems like a cruel joke...
This Greensboro Sears has been posting appliance advertisements on Reddit. I don't seem to know how to link to Reddit.
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Re: Sears/Kmart: Will 2020 be the end?
Big Bear Lake, CA Kmart closure was announced this week. It will close in January. Building was supposedly sold.
Kmart store count is around 33 after this closure.
Kmart store count is around 33 after this closure.
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Re: Sears/Kmart: Will 2020 be the end?
I wonder to whom? Someone from Arkansas?storewanderer wrote: ↑December 10th, 2020, 12:00 am Big Bear Lake, CA Kmart closure was announced this week. It will close in January. Building was supposedly sold.
Kmart store count is around 33 after this closure.
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Re: Sears/Kmart: Will 2020 be the end?
33 stores, many in far-flung locations hundreds of miles apart. This is exactly what I am talking about when mentioning logistics being a challenge. A store count like that is only sustainable when it's a regional chain with stores clustered in one region. Even factoring in what Sears stores are left, something is going to have to give soon.storewanderer wrote: ↑December 10th, 2020, 12:00 am Big Bear Lake, CA Kmart closure was announced this week. It will close in January. Building was supposedly sold.
Kmart store count is around 33 after this closure.
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Re: Sears/Kmart: Will 2020 be the end?
This store seems too small for Wal-Mart. I'm thinking if WM bought it, they'd tear it down.
Stater just completed an interior/exterior remodel to its Big Bear store. Vons just did an interior remodel.
I doubt Ralphs would want to enter Big Bear.
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Re: Sears/Kmart: Will 2020 be the end?
That will be a mystery. You cannot look up property ownership (who is the owner) in CA- that is considered personal information that is protected under privacy laws.jamcool wrote: ↑December 10th, 2020, 7:48 amI wonder to whom? Someone from Arkansas?storewanderer wrote: ↑December 10th, 2020, 12:00 am Big Bear Lake, CA Kmart closure was announced this week. It will close in January. Building was supposedly sold.
Kmart store count is around 33 after this closure.
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Re: Sears/Kmart: Will 2020 be the end?
storewanderer wrote: ↑December 10th, 2020, 12:00 am Big Bear Lake, CA Kmart closure was announced this week. It will close in January. Building was supposedly sold.
Kmart store count is around 33 after this closure.
Although, based on the unusual design of that Kmart (as seen in photos posted somewhere), might this be one of those areas that is more restrictive on stores (such as limiting sizes, perhaps even limits that were added since Kmart was built, and requiring buildings to blend in to the local architecture)?retailfanmitchell019 wrote: ↑December 10th, 2020, 4:20 pm This store seems too small for Wal-Mart. I'm thinking if WM bought it, they'd tear it down.
Stater just completed an interior/exterior remodel to its Big Bear store. Vons just did an interior remodel.
I doubt Ralphs would want to enter Big Bear.
That might be reason for someone else to buy it out, even if it is smaller than their normal store sizes - and that particular chain has built smaller stores in areas where it was the only way to get into an area (see Vermont), so they are willing to do unusual things if it is needed.