Sears in Louisville, Kentucky officially closed in March 2019. The closure was part of a larger wave of Sears closings that occurred after the company filed for bankruptcy in October 2018. After the Louisville store closed, three remaining Sears locations in Kentucky–in Dixie Manor, Fayette Mall, and Florence Mall–were also closed in June and July of 2019, leaving the state without any physical Sears stores.
Sears had been in Louisville since 1994, occupying a 35,000-square-foot space in the Outer Loop Shopping Plaza. Even though Louisville no longer has a brick and mortar Sears, customers are still able to shop for merchandise on the website sears.
com.
When did Sears go out of business?
Sears officially filed for bankruptcy in October 2018 and then went out of business in December of that same year. As part of their bankruptcy filing, Sears Holdings, the parent company of Sears, sold many of its stores both to separate entities and to its own affiliate, Transform Holdco LLC.
This allowed the company to close down many stores as it was attempting to restructure its business. By February 2019, Sears had closed over 600 stores across the country, and then proceeded to liquidate the remaining stores over the course of the following months.
In August 2019, the final 45 Sears stores remaining in the United States were closed, leaving the company with no physical presence in the country. However, Sears still continues to operate the Sears Hometown stores and their online store.
Why did so many Sears close?
The closure of so many Sears stores was a result of a variety of factors. The rise of online shopping was certainly a major contributor, as its convenience made it difficult for traditional stores to compete.
In addition, the retail industry was also in a period of rapid change, with many companies competing to stay ahead of the curve by offering newer and more innovative shopping options. As Sears struggled to keep up with its competitors, its financial struggles caused it to close many stores across the country.
Additionally, Sears was a company with a legacy of legacy costs–high labor and operational costs coupled with outdated operational models–that put it at a competitive disadvantage against more efficient, modernized stores.
As a result, projected losses increased and the chain appeared unable to move past its legacy costs and operations. Ultimately, these converging factors resulted in an inability to make a profit, leading Sears to close hundreds of locations in an effort to rein in costs and ensure the survival of the company.
Does Sears no longer exist?
No, unfortunately, Sears is no longer in business. The iconic department store began shutting down its remaining stores in 2019 after 135 years of operations. Despite its iconic status, the retailer was unable to turn a profit and declared bankruptcy in October 2018.
Its parent company, Transform Holdco, decided to close the remaining stores after liquidating the majority of its assets. Sears is no longer a visible presence on the retail landscape, but its legacy will remain as an iconic brand.
What is Sears called now?
Sears is now known as Transform Holdco LLC and it is an “asset-light model that will focus on our iconic brands and unique membership platform”. Transform Holdco LLC, the new parent company of Sears, was formed on February 1, 2019, following the completion of the financial restructuring plan approved by a U.
S. bankruptcy court in October 2018. Under the restructuring plan, Transform Holdco LLC obtained assets from Sears Holdings Corporation and its subsidiaries, such as the Kenmore, DieHard and Craftsman brands, as well as a nationwide network of more than 500 stores.
The stores carry the Sears and Kmart brands, and Transform Holdco LLC will also operate its online business. Transform Holdco LLC is continuing to explore options to ensure Sears remains a competitive force in the retail industry.
Are there any Kmart stores still open in Kentucky?
Yes! While Kmart has closed many stores around the country, there are still four Kmart stores in Kentucky that are open and operating. The stores are located in Madisonville, Glasgow, Somerset, and Corbin.
All four locations offer a variety of items, including pharmacy products, clothing, home appliances, electronics, toys, and housewares. They also offer weekly promotions, special deals, and discounts.
In addition, you can use the store’s app to take advantage of price matching and other savings.
What is the oldest store in Kentucky?
The oldest store in Kentucky is Martin’s Department Store in Bowling Green. Martin’s Department Store was established in 1873 and is still in operation today. It is well known throughout the state and is still managed by many of its original family members.
Martin’s Department Store is one of the oldest stores in the United States, having operated for over 140 years. It was founded by David J. Martin and Rachel Martin, who were originally from Pennsylvania.
When it first opened, Martin’s Department Store sold hats, clothing and accessories for ladies, men, and children. Over the years, the store expanded and now sells shoes, home decor, furniture and electronics.
Many of its original products, like cribs and custom-made hats, can still be found at the store. The store has become a well-respected and historic part of Kentucky, frequently being appreciated by customers and passersby alike.
Were there slaves in Lexington Kentucky?
Yes, there were slaves in Lexington, Kentucky. In fact, slavery in the area dates back to at least 1792 when there were a reported 13 slaves in Fayette County, which includes Lexington. By 1850, the number of slaves in Fayette County had grown to 1,814.
Slavery remained a part of life in Fayette County up until the end of the Civil War in 1865. A census taken in Lexington in 1860 reported 3,709 slaves in the city. While most of the slaves in the city were employed in household work, many of them were also involved in agriculture and manufacturing.
During the Civil War, many slaves served in the Union army. In addition, the Underground Railroad was active in Lexington, helping to transport freed slaves to the north. After 1865, those who had been held in slavery were integrated into the Lexington community, becoming merchants, business owners, and laborers.
What caused Sears downfall?
Sears downfall was largely attributed to a combination of strategic and operational missteps, including a failure to evolve with the changing retail landscape, lack of investment in and focus on e-commerce, falling behind on technological and operational advancements, and management missteps.
In the early 2000s, the retail landscape began to change significantly; brick-and-mortar stores were becoming less and less popular as consumers preferred to shop online for convenience and better prices.
Sears failed to adapt, as they invested heavily in physical stores and limited investments in e-commerce. Consequently, the company was not on the same level as other retailers when it came to accessibility and convenience options for shoppers.
Furthermore, many of Sears stores had become outdated and in need of renovations that it could not afford.
Sears’ operational processes also hindered its success. Its aging IT systems had poor operational efficiency and a reliance on manual processes, which resulted in higher operational costs that the company could not afford.
It lagged significantly behind its retail competitors in terms of technological and operational processes and tools. Moreover, with competing retailers offering faster and easier ways to purchase products, Sears’ antiquated systems and processes caused it to fall further and further behind in the market.
In addition to its strategic and operational challenges, Sears downfall was also attributed to the company’s relationships with its leadership and management. Executives and managers failed to recognize the changing trends in the retail market, were unable to keep up with their competitors’ strategies, and made missteps in their attempts to revive the company.
These missteps included cutting staff and store sizes instead of investing in marketing, digital, and customer-facing initiatives that could have improved business operations and performance.
Overall, a combination of strategic, operational, and management missteps have been attributed to Sears downfall. The company’s failure to adapt to the changing retail landscape, lack of investment in e-commerce and technological advancements, and mismanagement of resources all contributed to its unfortunate demise.
Where are the remaining Sears stores located?
As of April 2021, there are less than 180 Sears stores left in operation in the United States. Many of them are located in the Southern and Midwestern states, such as Texas, Florida, and Illinois. A few are also located in Washington, California and New York.
All locations can easily be found on the official Sears website. Additionally, the Sears Outlet division still operates over 130 stores located in various states throughout the country. Besides the U.
S. , there are still a few Sears stores operating in Mexico and Puerto Rico. The store locations may change over time, so make sure to check the Sears website or the app regularly to find out if any new stores have opened or if existing stores have been closed.
Who owns Sears now?
Sears, the iconic department store once beloved by many, officially filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in October 2018. Following the bankruptcy, its parent holding company, Sears Holdings, sold off many of its assets to Transform Holdco.
Transform holds the rights to the Sears and Kmart brands, as well as its inventory, related intellectual property, and certain other assets and liabilities. Transform Holdco is owned by ESL Investments, an investment company founded by ex-CEO Edward Lampert and his hedge fund ESL Investments.
Lampert had been the chairman and CEO of Sears Holdings since 2013. He ran both Sears and Kmart at the same time since the merger of the two companies in 2005. ESL Investments made a deal with the company’s creditors to buy the company out of bankruptcy and keep the stores open, thus allowing him to continue in a leadership role among the 380+ remaining stores.
Who currently owns Sears?
In October 2018, Sears was acquired by Transform Holdco LLC after emerging from Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Transform Holdco is now the largest stakeholder, owning about 90% of Sears’ equity. Transform Holdco is led by Eddie Lampert, who also serves as chairman and CEO of ESL Investments (a hedge fund).
Lampert has been the chairman of Sears since ESL purchased the company in 2005. Additionally, Cyrus Capital Partners and Bluestar Alliance are both substantial shareholders in Transform Holdco.
How many US Sears stores are left?
As of 2021, there are only 18 Sears stores left in the United States. The iconic American department store chain has experienced severe financial hardship in recent years, and filed for bankruptcy in 2018.
Since then, it has undergone a major restructuring, closing more than 300 stores, and enacting other measures such as leasing all its property and inventory to a third-party company. These 18 remaining stores are located in ten different states (some locations feature both Sears and Kmart stores) in the Midwest and South, mainly in smaller towns and rural locations.
These stores are mainly located in Kansas, Missouri, Ohio, Alabama, Indiana, North Carolina, Arkansas, Washington, Tennessee and Wisconsin.
Are there any Sears stores left in the United States?
Yes, there are still some Sears stores left in the United States. As of April 2021, there were around 250 remaining Sears stores open across the country. These stores are primarily located in Alaska, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.
Sears is also planning on opening some new stores in upcoming months, particularly located in California, Texas and Florida. With these new store locations, the total number of Sears stores in the United States is expected to reach up to almost 300 by the end of 2021.
Is the Kenmore brand still around?
Yes, the Kenmore brand is still around. It is currently part of the Sears Brands portfolio. Kenmore products can be purchased from Sears stores, as well as through a variety of retailer locations and online.
Today, the Kenmore brand offers a wide range of products, including home appliances, air treatment products, vacuums, and sewing machines. They also offer small kitchen appliances, like Kenmore Elite toasters, blenders and the like.
Kenmore home care products, including vacuums and cleaning products, are also available.