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, Discount Store, Electronics Store
2800 College Dr Rice Lake, Wisconsin 54868If you want junk appliances go to sears wow what a joke customer service is the worst I have ever seen nwow no
Sears Hometown Store
Appliance Store
220 Center St. Taft, California 93268Love this little hometown location. I have bought almost every appliance in my home from this store. In the era of online shopping, locations like this will always win! ... more
American Freight Furniture, Mattress, Appliance
Furniture Store
2 Fairhaven Commons Way Fairhaven, Massachusetts 02719The service was excellent! The sales person was very informative! Planing to go back for a living room set.
American Freight - Appliance, Furniture, Mattress
Furniture Store
2401 S Vineyard Avenue Ontario, California 91761Dylan was very informative and patient the team overall was GREAT!
Sears Hometown Store
Appliance Store
49693 Harrison St Coachella, California 92236(Translated by Google) Alright (Original) Esta bien
Get Mowed
Lawn Mower Repair Service, Landscaping Supply Store, Lawn Mower Store
2201 Hwy 17 Richmond Hill, Georgia 31324Interesting place. Seemed knowledgeable and were helpful and friendly
American Freight - Appliance, Furniture, Mattress
Furniture Store
2031 Okeechobee Blvd. West Palm Beach, Florida 33409Vicky was great. No pressure sales.
American Freight - Appliance, Furniture, Mattress
Furniture Store
857 N Val Vista Drive Gilbert, Arizona 85234Brandon was super helpful in us buying a fridge and washer and dryer!
Sears Hometown Store
Appliance Store
1701 Soscol Ave Napa, California 94559Very user friendly!
American Freight - Appliance, Furniture, Mattress
Furniture Store
1200 Blumenfeld Drive, Suite C Sacramento, California 95815Josh was helpful, thanks all
American Freight - Appliance, Furniture, Mattress
Furniture Store
49 University Plaza Newark, Delaware 19702Edward thank you for a great experience with the purchase of my new dryer! You made everything simple and seamless! I will definitely be back again for all my household a ... more
American Freight - Appliance, Furniture, Mattress
Furniture Store
8033 W Franklin Road Boise, Idaho 83709Jaun & Will did a great job loading up my new dryer, strapping it down & making sure it was safe! Dustin was very helpful & I will be back again! Thanks Dudes!!
Sears Hometown Store - Closed
Appliance Store
1700 Rainbow Drive Canon City, Colorado 81212Sad that they are closing out, but I was able to 2000 stove for $800. Get over there before it is too late.
American Freight - Appliance, Furniture, Mattress
Furniture Store
1140 Roswell Road SE Marietta, Georgia 30062Ms. Veronica was awesome, her customer service was on point. Highly recommend if your looking for affordable furniture and appliances they have it all!!!!
American Freight (Sears Outlet) - Appliance, Furniture, Mattress
Furniture Store, Appliance Store, Bedroom Furniture Store
98-600 Kamehameha Hwy Pearl City, Hawaii 96782Walked into the outlet store 20 minutes before closing. CK greeted us right away and made our shopping experience very satisfying. He answered all our questions and staye ... more
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
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
Appliance Store
322 Eureka Street Berryville, Arkansas 72616We were next door but I enjoy having this throw back still around
Sears Hometown Store - Closed
Appliance Store
977 South 1st Street Jesup, Georgia 31545Unsure how they remain open. RTO pricing (although we were planning on paying cash) are preditory. Shameful business model.
American Freight - Appliance, Furniture, Mattress
Furniture Store
2505-B Vista Way 1 Oceanside, California 92054Alex was such a great help!
American Freight - Appliance, Furniture, Mattress
Furniture Store
8245B North Florida Avenue Tampa, Florida 33604Do not Buy Their Refrigerator! You are warned. This terrible irresponsible company keeps srll refrigerator that is defective although Many lawsuits have been claimed. The ... more
American Freight - Appliance, Furniture, Mattress
Furniture Store
11111 San Jose Boulevard., Suite 1 Jacksonville, Florida 32223Great prices, selection, and no nonsense. Customer service was on point. Delivery was quick and professional. I bought a washer, dryer, and a spare fridge for roughly hal ... more
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
American Freight - Appliance
Appliance Store
728 South Orange Avenue West Covina, California 91790Great experience shopping for a refrigerator..Tiffany and Serena were very helpful and made the process easy!!
Sears Hometown Store
Appliance Store
920 South Arkansas Avenue Russellville, Arkansas 72801Great service
Sears Hometown Store
Appliance Store
605 West Main Street Clarksville, Arkansas 72830Going out of busines!!! Any day now. Thanks corporate...(sarcasm) we will miss our Sears store. Not much left. Lawn mower blades and a few refrigerators, a vacuum, some s ... more
Sears Hometown Store - Closed
Appliance Store
2092 E. Main Street Robinson, Illinois 62454Very helpful and friendly
American Freight (Sears Outlet) - Appliance, Furniture, Mattress
Appliance Store, Mattress Store, Discount Store
7333 W 79th St Bridgeview, Illinois 60455I'm a first time patron but definitely won't be my last. I was greeted and assisted by Mr. Mike Esco and I must say that he was nothing short of a professional which is m ... more
American Freight - Appliance, Furniture, Mattress
Furniture Store
1800 Prescott Road, Suite J Modesto, California 95350great service!! ashley and scott are the best!
American Freight - Appliance, Furniture, Mattress
Furniture Store
1750 N Richmond Road McHenry, Illinois 60050Dan and Tyler were extremely helpful while I was picking out a new sectional for our new space. We got an awesome sectional and we're ecstatic with their service!
American Freight - Appliance, Furniture, Mattress
Furniture Store
2301-A Mt Industrial Boulevard Tucker, Georgia 30084Excellent service by Mohammad
American Freight - Appliance, Furniture, Mattress
Furniture Store
5900 Sugarloaf Parkway, Suite 171 Lawrenceville, Georgia 30043Maxile was very nice and smily I love the customer service she provided
Sears Hometown Store
Appliance Store
325 Northside Dr E Suite #36 Statesboro, Georgia 30458Great ðŸ•
American Freight - Appliance, Furniture, Mattress
Furniture Store
7415 S Cass Avenue Darien, Illinois 60561Angela was amazing and great negotiator. Looked out for the best interest of us as the client. Great person. Will shop here over an over again just for her. Thank you Ang ... more
Dutch Bros Coffee
Coffee Shop
796 Antelope Blvd Red Bluff, California 96080Last two coffees were disappointing, especially at their prices. Coffee flavors were weak and temperatures were not very hot.
American Freight - Appliance, Furniture, Mattress
Furniture Store
1415 S Nova Road Daytona Beach, Florida 32114No pressure sales. Staff are very helpful and knowledgeable. Jim had the right answer for all of my questions.
American Freight - Appliance, Furniture, Mattress
Furniture Store
5000 S. Arizona Mills Circle, Suite 625 Tempe, Arizona 85282Very friendly. Made it a good buying experience. Thank you
American Freight - Appliance, Furniture, Mattress
Furniture Store
5251 110th Avenue N, Suite 120 Clearwater, Florida 33760Great people and good prices
American Freight - Appliance, Furniture, Mattress
Furniture Store
5734 W Peoria Avenue Glendale, Arizona 85302Corrie has been amazing and professional. She provided the knowledge of the equipment and created an environment for my family that was fully of useful information. Not o ... more
American Freight - Appliance, Furniture, Mattress
Furniture Store
8090 NW 77th Court Medley, Florida 33166I went to American Freight searching for a new washing machine. Lesly attended me. She was very helpful and I love my new washing machine. Definitely recommend!
American Freight - Appliance, Furniture, Mattress
Furniture Store
1936 West 140th Ave San Leandro, California 94577Walked in looking to get a refrigerator Clarence helped us out. He was very knowledgeable and which made the process much easier on us. Had several good tips. If your loo ... more
American Freight - Appliance, Furniture, Mattress
Furniture Store
55 Ludwig Drive Fairview Heights, Illinois 62208Super friendly, great service, great prices! Was out of stock on the dryer I wanted, so got the display dryer for an amazing price!
American Freight - Appliance, Furniture, Mattress
Furniture Store
6235 N Davis Highway, Suite 101 Pensacola, Florida 32504Brianna and Maria, Provided me with exceptional service.
American Freight - Appliance, Furniture, Mattress
Furniture Store
65 Holmes Road Newington, Connecticut 06111If you know exactly what you are looking for then this place is fine. When it comes to the furniture I don't see any deep discounts. It's more to get people to apply fo ... more
American Freight (Sears Outlet) - Appliance, Furniture, Mattress
Furniture Store, Appliance Store, Bedroom Furniture Store
2300 White Ln Unit B Bakersfield, California 93304Lorena was fantastic, super friendly. She was very knowledgeable, helpful, and patient with us. Great costumer service from her!
American Freight - Appliance, Furniture, Mattress
Furniture Store
320 West Rancho Vista Boulevard Palmdale, California 93551Jacqueline is a great person she has a great personality and she answers all my questions that I need to be answered
American Freight - Appliance, Furniture, Mattress
Furniture Store
6022 Crawfordsville Road Speedway, Indiana 46224Jack was wonderful and very knowledgeable and helpful we will shop again!
American Freight - Appliance, Furniture, Mattress
Furniture Store
540 S Highway 59 Naperville, Illinois 60540Gustavo is the best!!
American Freight - Appliance, Furniture, Mattress
Furniture Store
4308 E Colonial Drive Orlando, Florida 32803SHAJI WAS GREAT FAST PROFICEINT EXCELLENT SERVICE
American Freight - Appliance, Furniture, Mattress
Furniture Store
656 New Haven Ave Ste 1 Derby, Connecticut 06418Visited today looking for Sofas, none of the employee even came to check if we need any help or something. Worst experience Not recommended to even enter the store
