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 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
2401 S Vineyard Avenue Ontario, California 91761Check prices online before purchasing
American Freight - Appliance, Furniture, Mattress
Furniture Store
5000 S. Arizona Mills Circle, Suite 625 Tempe, Arizona 85282Jordan and Jon were awesome
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
American Freight - Appliance, Furniture, Mattress
Furniture Store
656 New Haven Ave Ste 1 Derby, Connecticut 06418Martin Bello is an outstanding sales person he walked me through everything his personality is one of a kind. he is an excellent worker. He went above and beyond for me ... more
American Freight - Appliance, Furniture, Mattress
Furniture Store
2505-B Vista Way 1 Oceanside, California 92054Alex was great helped me replace my fridge
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
1200 Blumenfeld Drive, Suite C Sacramento, California 95815Fun group, very accommodating and helpful
American Freight - Appliance, Furniture, Mattress
Furniture Store
6235 N Davis Highway, Suite 101 Pensacola, Florida 32504Michael has amazing customer service stop by and say hi!
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
Appliance Store
728 South Orange Avenue West Covina, California 91790Serena took care of me and answered all of my questions. I highly recommend
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 - Closed
Appliance Store
2092 E. Main Street Robinson, Illinois 62454Very helpful and friendly
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
2031 Okeechobee Blvd. West Palm Beach, Florida 33409Good service quick and easy thank you
Sears Hometown Store
Appliance Store
1908 2nd Ave. E. Oneonta, Alabama 35121Very handy location when it was open. Sad to see it go.
American Freight - Appliance, Furniture, Mattress
Furniture Store
2301-A Mt Industrial Boulevard Tucker, Georgia 30084Great customer service from my initial contact throughout our purchase of a new range.
Sears Hometown Store
Appliance Store
322 Eureka Street Berryville, Arkansas 72616We were next door but I enjoy having this throw back still around
American Freight - Appliance, Furniture, Mattress
Furniture Store
11111 San Jose Boulevard., Suite 1 Jacksonville, Florida 32223bad
American Freight - Appliance, Furniture, Mattress
Furniture Store
1415 S Nova Road Daytona Beach, Florida 32114Jim was excellent & provided great service!!
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, Furniture, Mattress
Furniture Store
5251 110th Avenue N, Suite 120 Clearwater, Florida 33760Great store! Unbeatable prices on high quality appliances. Nick A. is extremely helpful. Highly recommend!
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
Sears Hometown Store
Appliance Store
415 Grass Valley Hwy Auburn, California 95603This store has closed. No mention of a relocation. Sad for Auburn that we couldn't keep this store going.
American Freight - Appliance, Furniture, Mattress
Furniture Store
540 S Highway 59 Naperville, Illinois 60540They had all the tools that I needed to measure the refrigerator and it's perfect depth and perfect with from my mom's new house woop woop.
American Freight - Appliance, Furniture, Mattress
Furniture Store
4308 E Colonial Drive Orlando, Florida 32803Shaji was very nice and gave me a great experience at American freight. Go and visit him!
American Freight - Appliance, Furniture, Mattress
Furniture Store
320 West Rancho Vista Boulevard Palmdale, California 93551Tori was great. Awesome service. Great product.
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
American Freight - Appliance, Furniture, Mattress
Furniture Store
1750 N Richmond Road McHenry, Illinois 60050Very pleased with recent furniture purchase. Staff is very pleasant and knowledgeable. Delivery team was great, an all around great experience. Will continue to shop with ... 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
8033 W Franklin Road Boise, Idaho 83709Great Service and friendly delivery
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
7415 S Cass Avenue Darien, Illinois 60561Angela was extremely helpful and made my sisters purchase an enjoyable experience!
Sears Hometown Store
Appliance Store
325 Northside Dr E Suite #36 Statesboro, Georgia 30458Great ðŸ•
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
Furniture Store, Appliance 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
American Freight - Appliance, Furniture, Mattress
Furniture Store
5900 Sugarloaf Parkway, Suite 171 Lawrenceville, Georgia 30043Maxine is a great seller is nice and explains very well everything
Sears Hometown Store
Appliance Store
1701 Soscol Ave Napa, California 94559Very user friendly!
American Freight - Appliance, Furniture, Mattress
Furniture Store
1936 West 140th Ave San Leandro, California 94577Clarence was very good, he sold on the financing and protection plans
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
55 Ludwig Drive Fairview Heights, Illinois 62208I brought a gorgeous dishwasher from here!! Great customer service.
Sears Hometown Store
Appliance Store
920 South Arkansas Avenue Russellville, Arkansas 72801Great service
American Freight: Appliance, Mattress
Appliance Store
1210 W Morena Blvd San Diego, California 92110patrica was wonderful
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
6022 Crawfordsville Road Speedway, Indiana 46224American 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 - Appliance, Furniture, Mattress
Furniture Store
8090 NW 77th Court Medley, Florida 33166Excellent service !!
American Freight - Appliance, Furniture, Mattress
Furniture Store
8245B North Florida Avenue Tampa, Florida 33604Roman was great very friendly and helpful. This selections are great. Definitely come check them out
