Sears is only one of the major companies that will be closing down many of their stores. Source: Fox Business

Across the US, well-known businesses are experiencing hard times. In fact, they are trying to find out if it is best to keep their stores open or to close them. Experts say that the American people are shifting the way they purchase clothing, beauty products, and other items. Nowadays, people are buying their wants and needs on the Internet. What’s more, they are looking for better, more convenient shopping experiences.

After years of the continuous drop of sales, huge department store chains such as Macy’s, Kmart, and Sears are closing their stores spread across the country. This also includes JCPenny, Abercrombie & Fitch, and other businesses.

While not all of the Sears stores across the country will close, the company is unsure of whether the remaining stores will stay open. Source: Long Room

In February, Sears said it planned to close several stores that it owns within the country. The company recently announced that it’s no longer sure if the remaining stores will be left open.

Sears was established back in 1893 and it was known as Sears, Roebuck and Co. The company was known for offering a catalog which became famous among Americans. The catalog allows everyone to choose which featured goods they plan to buy. What shoppers do is they make an order on Sears. Then, they will wait until the products arrive in the mail. Even those that lived outside big cities were customers loyal to the company.

There’s still hope for Sears if it can increase its online presence and and improve customer service. Source: UniversalHub

Brand-building expert and author, Denise Lee Yohn, told Victor Beattie of VOA that department stores are facing difficult times ever since internet businesses have flourished. According to Yohn, the department store industry has been declining as a whole. Amazon’s online sales, however, have been steadily rising over the years.

Yohn added that there might still be hope for Sears to retain its stores because of its long history. It also has a name that’s still recognizable to lots of Americans.
Sears struggled since Eddie Lampert’s ownership. Lampert also operates ESL Investments. The company had to sell its best-known brands such as Craftsman tools and Land’s End clothing.

Yohn said that Sears didn’t try as hard to develop the company’s online business. It also didn’t invest in its stores’ appearance.

“If Sears tries harder, it might revive its business like how Ford revived its company. Still, the company needs to show all its employees that they are valued. This will let them improve customer service. This is important because Sears won’t survive otherwise.”

Sears is closing more than 70 stores. The company already announced 180 closings this year.

Below is a list of some of the stores that will be closed by Sears and Kmart:

Sears

store 2048 in Chico, California
store 2615 in Dalton, Georgia
store 2256 in Biloxi, Mississippi
store 2645 in Asheboro, North Carolina
store 2152 in Minot, North Dakota
store 2374 in Vineland, New Jersey
store 1150 in Columbus, Ohio
store 1310 in Elyria, Ohio
store 1370 in Columbus, Ohio
store 2940 in Franklin, Ohio
store 1261 in Midwest City, Oklahoma
store 1445 in Richmond, Virginia
store 1525 in Columbia, South Carolina
store 2567 in Texarkana, Texas
store 2627 in Sherman, Texas
store 2220 in St. George, Utah

Kmart

store 3082 in Dothan, Alabama
store 7045 in Muscle Shoals, Alabama
store 3120 in Little Rock, Arkansas
store 3375 in Bullhead City (Riviera), Arizona
store 3881 in Blythe, California
store 4117 in Sacramento, California
store 4862 in Manteca, California
store 3083 in Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia
store 9625 in Calhoun, Georgia
store 4315 in Iowa City, Iowa
store 7583 in Marshalltown, Iowa
store 4152 in Mishawaka, Indiana
store 9147 in Newburyport, Massachusetts
store 9524 in Elkton, Maryland