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
1339 North Pine Deridder, Louisiana 70634Speedy service and excellent customer service! I love that they will exchange for free handyman tools like tape measures etc in store!
Sears Hometown Store - CLOSED
Appliance Store
2480 South Frontage Road, Suite E Vicksburg, Mississippi 39180Have not been in sears in over 2 years
American Freight - Appliance, Furniture, Mattress
Furniture Store
545 Concord Parkway N Concord, North Carolina 28027Alex did an Awesome job of explaining everything. He was very informative and a joy to work with. He has a great personality for this job. We would definitely recommen ... more
American Freight - Appliance, Furniture, Mattress
Furniture Store
2005 South Military Highway Chesapeake, Virginia 23320Had my washier go out on me today. I called spoke to Eddie, asked about what they had in stock. Eddie was very knowledgeable, professional and honest. Definitely will rec ... more
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.
Sears Hometown Store - CLOSED
Appliance Store
5547 I-55 SOUTH Byram, Mississippi 39272Would rate 0 stars but not an option. Their repair department is horrendous, came out to fix my fridge, left knowing is was still throwing code and when I called the tech ... more
Sears Hometown Store - CLOSED
Appliance Store
3297 Hwy 36 Sealy, Texas 77474Thumps up
Sears Hometown Store - Closed
Appliance Store
404 W. Main St. Lake City, South Carolina 29560Local "Hometown" shop for Sears appliances.
Sears Hometown Store - Closed
Appliance Store
168 Golden Rod Dr Mansura, Louisiana 71350Excellent service
Sears Hometown Store - Closed
Appliance Store
1000 South 8th Street Clarinda, Iowa 51632When in doubt...don't go without...just ask Erin. She's amazing in helping you find the best deals!
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!
Sears Hometown Store - Closed
Appliance Store
2092 E. Main Street Robinson, Illinois 62454Very helpful and friendly
Sears Hometown Store - CLOSED
Appliance Store
3308 Highway 35 North Fulton, Texas 78358Gonna miss Sears. Always good products and service.
Sears Hometown Store - CLOSED
Appliance Store
6655 Post Rd North Kingstown, Rhode Island 02852They could not be more accommodating. Very pleased with gas grill. Called ahead. Confirmed in stock and service was great.
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
Sears Hometown Store
Appliance Store
3801 North Street Nacogdoches, Texas 75961I was so surprised to find a Sears in this little town. They don't have a huge selection, but they definitely had what I needed. Got a little Kenmore fridge, washer and d ... more
Sears Hometown Store - CLOSED
Appliance Store
2339 N Main Liberty, Texas 77575Got the exact dishwasher I have been looking for over two years!!!!
Sears Hometown Store
Appliance Store
1385 Bucktail Rd. St. Marys, Pennsylvania 15857Was expecting an a.m. delivery of a fridge. Guy's showed up late afternoon but reversed doors for me and did an excellent install job. Only complaint is would of liked a ... more
Sears Hometown Store
Appliance Store
2344 East Main Uvalde, Texas 78801Purchased a new washer, Sales associate was very friendly and helpful!
Sears Hometown Store
Appliance Store
322 Eureka Street Berryville, Arkansas 72616We were next door but I enjoy having this throw back still around
Floor & Decor
Flooring Store
14453 Hall Rd Shelby Township, Michigan 48315I was overwhelmed with so many options to choose from.
Sleep Number
Mattress Store
1685 E 80th Ave Unit B Merrillville, Indiana 46410Joyce was awesome.
Sears Hometown Store - Closed
Appliance Store
1000 E Southview Drive Marshall, Minnesota 56258Good employees took care of my problem
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 (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 Furniture, Mattress, Appliance
Furniture Store
2 Fairhaven Commons Way Fairhaven, Massachusetts 02719DO NOT SHOP HERE!!! Couches are made of cheap wood and also the mattress and box spring is cheap too. I'm not fat and the wood still broke from the box spring also over p ... more
American Freight - Appliance, Furniture, Mattress
Furniture Store
1140 Roswell Road SE Marietta, Georgia 30062Kay was very friendly and helpful. Will return for further service for future purchases.
Sears Hometown Store - CLOSED
Appliance Store
230 SE Pioneer Way Oak Harbor, Washington 98277My mom had a great experience in the store to buy a dishwasher, however upon delivery the new installer said an electrician had expand the electrical cord. 3 weeks later ... more
American Freight - Appliance, Furniture, Mattress
Furniture Store
141 85th Avenue NW Coon Rapids, Minnesota 55433Stevie was amazing. I called about a dryer and she really went above and beyond from the time she answered the phone to the time she got done ringing us up. The gentleman ... more
American Freight - Appliance, Furniture, Mattress
Furniture Store
16040 S Harlem Avenue Tinley Park, Illinois 60477Placed an order for a new washer/ dryer received an email confirming the delivery next day 5 hours later we got a call claiming it was not in stock any longer and cancel ... more
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 - 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.
Sears Hometown Store
Appliance Store
1445 Hawk Parkway Montrose, Colorado 81401Great staff that were very helpful.
Sears Hometown Store
Appliance Store
1320 North Main Street Harrison, Arkansas 72601Billy was very efficient and knowledgeable. We came into replace a refrigerator. Within a few minutes I had a refrigerator. Billy loaded the appliance and I was gone. Gr ... more
Sears Home Appliance Showroom - Closed
Appliance Store
2100 S Gilbert Road, Suite #7 Chandler, Arizona 85286Jason and Miki provided amazing customer service for my mom! They went above and beyond to provide her all options and figured out how to get her a washer/dryer delivered ... 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
American Freight: Appliance, Mattress
Appliance Store
1210 W Morena Blvd San Diego, California 92110patrica was wonderful
Sears Hometown Store - CLOSED
Appliance Store
2580 Hwy 95, Suite 114 Bullhead City, Arizona 86442We ordered a new dishwasher and Cathy was excellent in helping choose the right one for us. When it was time to have it delivered and put in Justin was awesome, very poli ... more
Sears Hometown Store - Closed
Appliance Store
3155 Stockton Hill Rd Kingman, Arizona 86401went into the store looking for a part and the staff went above and beyond to help me find the part. i would recommend them to everyone.
Sears Hometown Store
Appliance Store
150 Garden Oaks Drive Camden, Arkansas 71701Kenmore products are junk. I bought a new refrigerator from Sears a little over a year ago and I have had problems with the seal on the doors since I got it. Service came ... more
American Freight - Appliance, Furniture, Mattress
Furniture Store
857 N Val Vista Drive Gilbert, Arizona 85234We were given the best help by Brandyn at the val vista store. Would recommend them to any one
American Freight - Appliance, Furniture, Mattress
Furniture Store
5000 S. Arizona Mills Circle, Suite 625 Tempe, Arizona 85282Jordan and Jon were awesome
American Freight - Appliance, Furniture, Mattress
Furniture Store
65 Holmes Road Newington, Connecticut 06111They are amazing people who help a lot
American Freight - Appliance, Furniture, Mattress
Furniture Store
2401 S Vineyard Avenue Ontario, California 91761Check prices online before purchasing
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
American Freight - Appliance, Furniture, Mattress
Furniture Store
5734 W Peoria Avenue Glendale, Arizona 85302Great deals. And a little bit of flexibility even with the listed price. Went to 5 other places and cant touch the price.
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, Furniture Store
49693 Harrison St Coachella, California 92236Best service ever, always have the appliance I need on the spot for my jobs. No need to wait weeks or days
Sears Hometown Store
Appliance Store
920 South Arkansas Avenue Russellville, Arkansas 72801Great service
American Freight - Appliance, Furniture, Mattress
Furniture Store
1800 Prescott Road, Suite J Modesto, California 95350Marie was an extremely knowledgeable, patient and informative sales associate. This was an extremely comfortable and easy transaction and my stackable washer dryer works ... more
