There was a time when Sears was the go-to department store for Americans. It was the place to find everything from appliances to clothing to tools. However, in recent years, Sears has fallen on hard times. The company has closed hundreds of stores and laid off thousands of employees. So, what went wrong? In this article, we will look at Sears and try to answer that question. We will explore its history, its products, and its marketing strategies. We will also discuss the company's current state and offer our thoughts on its future.
Sears was founded in 1886 by Richard Sears and Alvah Roebuck. It started as a mail-order company selling watches and jewelry. In the early 1900s, Sears began selling other products, including clothing, appliances, and cars. By the mid-1900s, Sears was the largest retailer in the United States. It was also one of the most innovative companies in America. For example, it was one of the first retailers to offer a money-back satisfaction guarantee and one to offer customer credit.
Sears' success continued into the 1970s and 1980s. However, in the 1990s, things started to change. The rise of discount stores like Wal-Mart began to eat into Sears' market share. At the same time, Sears made a series of poor strategic decisions. It sold its profitable credit card business and invested heavily in failing businesses like the 1970s-era Sears Tower (now called Willis Tower).
As a result of these missteps, Sears has declined for more than two decades. The company has closed hundreds of stores and laid off thousands of employees. In 2018, it was bought by Eddie Lampert, a hedge fund manager who had been its largest shareholder. Lampert has promised to turn Sears around, but he has not been successful so far.
Sears Hometown Store
Appliance Store
1690 East 23rd Ave N Fremont, Nebraska 68025Rude and unhelpful customer service. Personnel just wanted to say I was wrong, after I showed he was in error, he turned around and walked away. I went to Omaha and bou ... more
Sears Hometown Store
Appliance Store
412 Avenue B Bogalusa, Louisiana 70427Nice folks but small inventory.
Sears Hometown Store
Appliance Store
13212 N. Saguaro Blvd. Fountain Hills, Arizona 85268End of an era, shame to see they'll be gone for good soon
Baldwin's Appliance & Mattress
Distribution Service
2811 Fort Campbell Boulevard Hopkinsville, KY 42240We called about a freezer and they had it in stock. When we got to the store they were professional and so courteous. We also had it delivered. Everyone was absolutely am ... more
Sears Hometown Store - Closed
Appliance Store
12715 HIGHWAY 90, Ste 160B Luling, Louisiana 70070It is permanently closed.
Sears Hometown Store
Appliance Store
804 South 4th Street Danville, Kentucky 40422Personal Help, is Appreciated, Wonderful Owner, Can't say enough!!!
Sears Hometown Store - Closed
Distribution Service
656A North DuPont Hwy Milford, Delaware 19963Store closing everything onsale
Fortner's Home Connection
Appliance Store
2801 US-25 E Middlesboro, Kentucky 40965Visited website only for future in store visit
Dunham's Sports
Sporting Goods Store
2400 8th Avenue SW, Suite D2 Jamestown, North Dakota 58401Sporting goods store
Sears Hometown Store - Closed
Distribution Service
346 Highway 2 West Devils Lake, North Dakota 58301One of 3 remaining Sears stores in North Dakota. Primarily sells and repairs appliances. Great staff....very knowledgeable and friendly. Would definitely recommend.
Sears Hometown Store - Closed
Appliance Store
2570 S. Main Street Lakeport, California 95453I got my washer and dryer there a few years back there Kenmore they have done a great job I'm super stoked with them
Sears Hometown Store
Appliance Store
2908 Citizens Parkway Selma, Alabama 36701They are going out of business it's a closeout sale happening now January 2nd until everything must go that's all
Sears Hometown Store
Appliance Store
3703 Harrison Ave suite g Butte, Montana 59701Store is closing. Very limited selection but the staff member was friendly.
Sears Hometown Store
Appliance Store
239 Walker Rd. Alamosa, Colorado 81101Gabe was excellent! He showed me what I needed in my price point. Delivery was quick and efficient. Glad Sears is here and very thankful.
American Freight (Sears Outlet) - Appliance, Furniture, Mattress
Furniture Store, Kitchen Furniture Store, Discount Store
7647 W 88th Ave Westminster, Colorado 80005We purchased this set a year ago this month and it is already saggy and the fabric has runs in it. When we have tried contacting the store we just get the run around and ... more
American Freight (Sears Outlet) - Appliance, Furniture, Mattress
Furniture Store, Appliance Store, Bedroom Furniture Store
3230 Gerstner Memorial Dr Lake Charles, Louisiana 70601Pleasant sales experience and wonderful delivery service! TJ and Ty went above and beyond to set up our refrigerator with many challenging obstacles. They are professiona ... more
The UPS Store
Shipping And Mailing Service
300 Center Dr, Ste G Superior, Colorado 80027Today I needed to have a funeral contract and agreement notarized. The situation is timely and difficult enough. I arrived during open business hours and was turned away ... more
Sears Hometown Store
Appliance Store
2534 Lee Ave Sanford, North Carolina 27332Great sale going on! Super helpful management and staff!!
Sears Hometown Store
Appliance Store
220 South Main Street Ottawa, Kansas 66067Going out of business
Sears Hometown Store
Appliance Store
1445 Hawk Parkway Montrose, Colorado 81401Great staff that were very helpful.
Sears Hometown Store
Appliance Store
1002 West Cumberland Street Dunn, North Carolina 28334This is a tragedy, once upon a Time this store was an empire! Was where you could go and buy quality products not junk from third world countries that produce garbage. No ... more
Sears Hometown Store - Closed
Appliance Store
912 Main Street Winfield, Kansas 67156Boy does this lady Know everything! Very service oriented. Been working here for decades. Knows all the features of every appliances....will work with you to deliver and ... more
Sears Hometown Store
Appliance Store
2706 Vine St Hays, Kansas 67601Just took over 2 months to get parts. The staff is great and pleasant
Sears Hometown Store
Appliance Store
300 North Penn Independence, Kansas 67301Quality merchandise, fast and friendly staff, excellent customer experience. Offered 3 year maintenance plan on washer, jumped on it, for if you ever had one come to ... more
Sears Hometown Store - Closed
Appliance Store
1937 South Range Ave, Suite # 1 Colby, Kansas 67701Great Service and had exactly what I needed for a great price!
Sears Hometown Store - Closed
Appliance Store
1094 South East Vermont Ave Arcadia, Florida 34266They are closing so some unique deals. Unfortunately, no delivery, installation, take away or new orders.
Sears Hometown Store
Appliance Store
1377 N. Sandhills Boulevard Aberdeen, North Carolina 28315Joe was very professional and greeted us with a warm welcome. My fianc and I were looking for a washer/ dryer set and two refrigerators. Joe showed us the brands we wante ... more
Sears Hometown Store
Appliance Store
835 Tucker Road, #A and B Tehachapi, California 93561Great supply store for appliances, tools, and yard equipment.
Sears Hometown Store - Closed
Appliance Store
7627 Michigan Rd Plymouth, Indiana 46563Ordered a new dishwasher. Paid in full for it. Was told it would be delivered to the store from the warehouse in one week. Didn't get a call that it was in. So we called ... more
Sears Hometown Store - Closed
Appliance Store
3533 Main St, Suite 3 Keokuk, Iowa 52632Nice people unfortunately couldn't get what we were looking for. But will go back for tools or appliances
Sears Hometown Store - Closed
Appliance Store
507 Iowa Avenue West Marshalltown, Iowa 50158Good selection on needed items that are in store or able to obtain items within a day or two.
Sears Hometown Store - Closed
Appliance Store
505 N. Poplar Newton, Kansas 67114Rachel was very helpful with finding parts numbers and ordering parts for a Kenmore washing machine that I had brought parts in for reference and I have bought numerous ... more
Sears Hometown Store - Closed
Appliance Store
1704 S. Heaton Knox, Indiana 46534Sandy is always ready to help you.
Sears Hometown Store - Closed
Appliance Store
2200 Eastern Ave Gallipolis, Ohio 45631love this store
Sears Hometown Store
Appliance Store
11947 South Hwy 226 Spruce Pine, North Carolina 28777Can always find what I need here!
Sears Hometown Store - Closed
Appliance Store
3138 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. New Bern, North Carolina 28562Great place to find lawnmowers and tools and generators too, you can even be financed!!!
Sears Hometown Store
Appliance Store
4300 - 23rd Street Columbus, Nebraska 68601Did not go here. I went to the Chinese restaurant next door
American Freight - Appliance, Furniture, Mattress
Furniture Store
6169 US Route 6 Portage, Indiana 46368Great place .....
Sears Hometown Store
Appliance Store
3207 S U.S. 1 Ft. Pierce, Florida 34982It was awesome the gentleman was very helpful I went in for a vacuum cleaner and I got a very awesome vacuum cleaner he was very knowledgeable about all the questions my ... more
Sears Hometown Store
Appliance Store
16750 US-441 Summerfield, Florida 34491They never have real stock of anything. The owners don't seem to care. The staff have no knowledge of anything. Poor poor experience. And it's sad.
Sears Hometown Store
Appliance Store
410 Pinola Drive SE Magee, Mississippi 39111Went out of the way to help. We like to shop local when possible. Prices were competitive. Very satisfied.
Sears Hometown Store - Closed
Appliance Store
455 South Indiana Avenue Englewood, Florida 34223Bought washer and dryer with the understanding it would be delivered on a certain date. Was in stock at time of purchase. When it came time for delivery they said we were ... more
Sears Hometown Store
Appliance Store
1908 2nd Ave. E. Oneonta, Alabama 35121Very handy location when it was open. Sad to see it go.
Sears Hometown Store - CLOSED
Appliance Store
707 North Lamar Oxford, Mississippi 38655Order freezer online shipped to store for free, swing by and pick it up. Was there less than 5 minutes. Pretty Sweet..
Sears Hometown Store
Appliance Store
411 W. Madison Street Starke, Florida 32091We love Miss Jo!
Sears Hometown Store - CLOSED
Distribution Service
827 S. Main St. Yreka, California 96097giiuy alot. and it always has people in it, what they sell are things I dont enjoy doing. Washers, Dryers, StoveI s, Lawn Mowers ,Tools. Sorry , this store is really nice ... more
Sears Hometown Store - Closed
Appliance Store
211 S. Broad Street Edenton, North Carolina 27932Great customer service and very nice people. I always try to support local
Sears Hometown Store - CLOSED
Appliance Store
1262 Andrews Road Murphy, North Carolina 28906I was disappointed in the customer service. The guy didn't act like he was interested in helping me or answering my questions.
Sears Hometown Store
Appliance Store
207 River Street Oneonta, New York 13820Bought an expensive 3k Kenmore Fridge. Lasted 22 months. Store couldnt help. Sears parts direct took 3 weeks of trouble shooting, fridge had Whirlpool, Kemmore and LG par ... more
Sears Hometown Store
Appliance Store
717 W Park Ave Greenwood, Mississippi 38930I went there yesterday and they are officially closed down !!!
