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 - CLOSED
Appliance Store
5011 2nd Ave, Suite 043 Kearney, Nebraska 68847Wonderful service, nice, and knowledgeable
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
American Freight - Appliance, Furniture, Mattress
Furniture Store
6022 Crawfordsville Road Speedway, Indiana 46224American Freight: Appliance, Mattress
Appliance Store
332 S Burnt Mill Road Voorhees, New Jersey 08043I had a great experience at American Freight. Customer service was excellent. Natasha is knowledgeable and friendly. If I could give it 6 stars I would.
Norfolk Hometown Appliance Furniture and Mattress
Furniture Store
2110 Market Ln Norfolk, Nebraska 68701Best place to buy appliances
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
49 University Plaza Newark, Delaware 19702Great prices staff really helpful. Ed was my sales person and he was great. He helped me out with what I needed.
Sears Hometown Store
Appliance Store
412 Avenue B Bogalusa, Louisiana 70427Nice folks but small inventory.
American Freight - Appliance, Furniture, Mattress
Furniture Store
8284 Troy Pike Huber Heights, Ohio 45424Mark was very helpful and didn't just try to sell me something I didn't need or want. I was surprised by the vast selection of mattresses. I will definitely be back for m ... more
American Freight - Appliance, Furniture, Mattress
Furniture Store
51 Spiral Drive Florence, Kentucky 41042Great price
Fortner's Home Connection
Appliance Store
2801 US-25 E Middlesboro, Kentucky 40965Visited website only for future in store visit
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
10200 Colerain Avenue, Suite 11 Cincinnati, Ohio 45251Jonathan was a pleasure to work with!! He was very knowledgeable and had a very charming personality. He made our purchase stress free and made sure we were happy with ou ... more
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
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
Distribution Service
656A North DuPont Hwy Milford, Delaware 19963Store closing everything onsale
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.
American Freight - Appliance, Furniture, Mattress
Furniture Store
65 Holmes Road Newington, Connecticut 06111They are amazing people who help a lot
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
American Freight - Appliance, Furniture, Mattress
Furniture Store
26662 Brookpark Rd Extension North Olmsted, Ohio 44070Purchased a microwave online, I live in Mentor, went to get it and they said they didn't have it. They charged my card right away, but now I have to wait 3 to 5 days to ... more
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 - Appliance, Furniture, Mattress
Furniture Store
3529 Maitland Dr Raleigh, North Carolina 27610Wonderful experience & great inventory - Be sure to have Yusur assist you - she provides the best customer service
Sears Hometown Store
Appliance Store
2706 Vine St Hays, Kansas 67601Just took over 2 months to get parts. The staff is great and pleasant
American Freight - Appliance, Furniture, Mattress
Furniture Store
55 Ludwig Drive Fairview Heights, Illinois 62208I brought a gorgeous dishwasher from here!! Great customer service.
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
6235 N Davis Highway, Suite 101 Pensacola, Florida 32504Michael has amazing customer service stop by and say hi!
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
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
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
Appliance Store
411 W. Madison Street Starke, Florida 32091We love Miss Jo!
Sears Hometown Store
Appliance Store
2338 Overland Ave. Burley, Idaho 83318Love this place. We brought all our appliances from this store. They gave up a very good deal & we had great conversation. Super friendly staff.
ANGOLA APPLIANCE
Furniture Store
1221 N Wayne St Angola, Indiana 46703Great information on buying water filter for my refrigerator.
American Freight - Appliance, Furniture, Mattress
Furniture Store
6169 US Route 6 Portage, Indiana 46368Great place .....
Sears Hometown Store
Appliance Store
4435 College Ave Jackson, Alabama 36545I love their appliances and the service guy is very nice
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
717 W Park Ave Greenwood, Mississippi 38930I went there yesterday and they are officially closed down !!!
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.
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 - CLOSED
Appliance Store
2359 Sycamore Road Dekalb, Illinois 60115This has been an awful experience. We will never trust Sears Homestore again. Nothing but issues and they also took our old WORKING stove and we do not have a stove we ca ... more
Sears Hometown Store - Closed
Appliance Store
2395 Harrison St. Batesville, Arkansas 72501We were looking for a washer. Had shopped other stores in town also. Sears had a good selection but only had a couple different ones that they could sell. They do not sel ... more
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
8090 NW 77th Court Medley, Florida 33166Excellent service !!
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!
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
828 North Washington Forrest City, Arkansas 72335Great customer service ! Had answers and connections to resolve my problem quickly. This is how you do business... Need more of these people in my life. Thank you. Leigh
Sears Hometown Store - Closed
Appliance Store, Discount Store, Electronics Store
735 Old Austin Hwy, Suite B Bastrop, Texas 78602I just bought a house in town and got all my appliances here. The process was smooth and easy thanks to Roxanna for helping me decide what appliances were on a great sale ... more
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, Discount Store, Electronics Store
19554 Highway 314 Belen, New Mexico 87002The service and the quality of people was outstanding would recommend going there the people there to help you in any way they can and they do excellent
Sears Hometown Store - Closed
Appliance Store
1108 A Mississippi Drive Waynesboro, Mississippi 39367Lot of out of stock items that I was looking for but the service was top notch
Sears Hometown Store
Appliance Store
1306 Thelma Keller Avenue Effingham, Illinois 62401Helped me with getting repair person when refrigerator quit.
