For generations, the name Sears was synonymous with American retail. From the legendary Sears catalog that brought the world to rural doorsteps to the sprawling sears department store in every major mall, it was a cornerstone of commerce. But in recent years, headlines have been dominated by store closures and financial struggles, leaving many to ask the simple question: "is sears still in business?"
The answer is yes, but the Sears of today is a shadow of its former self. It has undergone a dramatic transformation, shifting from a retail behemoth to a nimble, smaller-scale operator. This article dives deep into the current state of the company, exploring its history, its present-day operations, and what the future might hold for this iconic brand.
Table of Contents
- The Short Answer: Yes, Sears Still Exists
- The Modern Sears: A Look at the Company Today
- A Look Back: The Rise and Fall of an Empire
- Finding a Sears Today: Using the Store Locator
- The Future of Sears: Is a Comeback on the Horizon?
- Frequently Asked Questions
The Short Answer: Yes, Sears Still Exists
Let’s clear up the biggest misconception right away: is sears gone? No. For anyone wondering, "does sears still exist?," the answer is yes. The sears company did not completely shut down. However, it operates on a drastically reduced scale. The days of having a sears store in nearly every town are long gone, but the brand endures through a handful of physical locations and a significant online presence. So, if you’ve been asking, "is sears still around?," you now know it is, just in a very different form.
The Modern Sears: A Look at the Company Today
After a 2018 bankruptcy filing by its former parent company, Sears Holdings Management Corporation, the remaining assets were acquired by ESL Investments, a hedge fund run by Eddie Lampert. The new parent company, Transformco, now operates Sears and Kmart. The modern business model focuses on two main channels.
The Shrinking Physical Footprint
The most visible change has been the massive reduction in physical stores. This leads many to wonder, "how many sears stores are left?" As of late 2023, the number of full-line Sears department stores has dwindled to just over a dozen in the mainland United States. The question of "are there any sears stores still open?" is a valid one, as the number changes, but a small core of locations remains. These remaining stores are concentrated in a few states, meaning most Americans no longer have a sears near me. For a time, Sears Hometown Stores, which were often locally owned and focused on appliances and tools, provided a larger footprint, but that chain filed for bankruptcy separately and has since closed nearly all its locations.
The Strong Online Presence
The primary way Sears now reaches its customers is through its website. Sears.com remains a fully functional e-commerce platform, making the answer to "is sears an online store now?" a resounding yes. Sears online shopping offers a wide range of products, including their flagship Kenmore appliances and Craftsman tools, alongside clothing, electronics, and more. This digital-first strategy is crucial for its survival, allowing the brand to serve customers nationwide without the massive overhead of a large retail footprint. For anyone looking for products, the sears official site is the go-to destination.
A Look Back: The Rise and Fall of an Empire
To understand the current state of Sears, it’s essential to appreciate its history. Founded in 1892, Sears, Roebuck and Company revolutionized how Americans shopped.
Its most famous innovation was the Sears catalogue, a massive publication that allowed people in even the most remote areas to order goods by mail. The question of "when did sears catalog end?" is often asked; the iconic "Big Book" was discontinued in 1993, though the company continued to produce smaller specialty catalogs for years. The legacy of the catalog is vast, extending even to architecture with the famous sears catalog homes (or sears houses), which were sold as kits between 1908 and 1940.
So, why sears failed to maintain its dominance is a complex story. The decline was caused by a combination of factors, including the rise of big-box competitors like Walmart and Home Depot, the failure to adapt quickly to the e-commerce boom led by Amazon, and a series of management and investment decisions that saddled the company with debt. The common question, "when sears went out of business," typically refers to the 2018 Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing, which was a restructuring, not a complete liquidation. It was during this period that the rapid pace of closures began, explaining why are sears stores closing.
Finding a Sears Today: Using the Store Locator
With so few locations, finding the "closest sears store" can be a challenge. The best way to determine if are there any sears stores left in the united states near you is to use the official store locator tool on Sears.com. This will provide the most up-to-date list of sears stores still open and their addresses.
If you’re searching for "sears locations" or "sears store locations," the website is your most reliable source. It can answer precisely "what states have sears stores" and "where are sears stores located" at any given time. This will help you find the "nearest sears store" without having to rely on outdated third-party information.
The Future of Sears: Is a Comeback on the Horizon?
The ultimate question is, "will sears ever make a comeback?" The path forward is challenging. Transformco’s strategy appears to be focused on a smaller, more profitable core business built on its strongest product categories—appliances and tools—and its robust online platform.
While a return to its former glory is highly unlikely, the brand’s survival in any form is a testament to its enduring name recognition. Speculation about whether "is sears coming back" continues, but for now, the company is focused on stabilization rather than large-scale expansion. The future will depend on its ability to effectively serve its niche market and manage its remaining assets wisely.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is sears still in business?
Sears continues to operate through a multi-pronged strategy: a robust e-commerce website (sears.com), a small number of profitable physical stores, and the licensing of its well-known house brands like Kenmore and Craftsman.
Is sears still in business online?
Yes, absolutely. The sears online business is the core of its current operations and the primary way the company serves customers across the country.
Are sears stores all closed?
No. While the vast majority of locations have closed since the 2018 bankruptcy, a handful of full-line sears stores still open for business in the U.S.
Is sears out of business?
No, Sears is not out of business. It is still an active retailer, though it operates on a much smaller scale than in its prime.
How many sears are still open?
The exact number fluctuates, but as of late 2023, there are approximately a dozen full-line Sears stores remaining in the continental United States and one in Puerto Rico.
What sears stores are still open?
The remaining sears locations are primarily in California, Florida, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Texas, and Washington. For the most accurate information, check the official store locator on the Sears website.
What happened to sears store?
The majority of Sears stores were closed as a result of the company’s 2018 bankruptcy and subsequent restructuring efforts to reduce debt and overhead costs.
Is there any sears stores still open?
Yes, a small number of Sears department stores are still open. Many people also remember the sears outlet format, but those have also been largely phased out.
When did sears store close?
The closures happened in waves, with the most significant number of stores closing between 2018 and the present day as part of the company’s restructuring.
Who owns sears now?
Sears is currently owned by Transformco, a privately held company formed by who bought sears out of bankruptcy: ESL Investments, which is headed by Eddie Lampert.
Are any sears stores still open?
Yes, there are still a few open. The last full-line Sears in Illinois, its home state, closed in 2021, which many considered the symbolic end of an era, but it was not the last sears store in the country.
Is sears permanently closed?
The company itself is not permanently closed. However, the vast majority of its individual store locations have been permanently closed.
Do sears stores still exist?
Yes, but in very limited numbers. Verifying what sears stores are left requires checking the company’s official website.
Does sears still have a catalog?
The famous, all-encompassing "Big Book" sears catalog was discontinued in 1993. The company no longer produces a large, general-merchandise catalog in that style.
Are old sears catalogs worth anything?
Yes, vintage Sears catalogs, especially from the early 20th century, are considered collectibles. Their value depends on their age, condition, and rarity.
