By: David  Anderman

The last remaining Sears store in the New York area is set to close, marking the end of an era for the 138-year-old department store giant. The closure reduces Sears’ US footprint to a mere dozen locations. In its heyday in 2011, Sears claimed the title of the world’s largest retailer, boasting around 4,000 locations globally. However, by 2014, this number had more than halved, NY Post reported.

The final Sears store in New Jersey, situated in Jersey City’s Newport Centre Mall just six miles from Times Square, is preparing to shut its doors. The store has been running “Blowout Event” promotions, offering deep discounts of up to 70% as it clears out inventory. While the exact closing date remains unclear, the signs indicate an imminent shutdown.

Transformco, the company that acquired 425 Sears and Kmart stores in 2019, has not yet responded to inquiries about the closure. Following this shutdown, the nearest Sears for New York and New Jersey shoppers will be located in Braintree, Massachusetts, over 225 miles away.

The two-story Sears space at Newport Centre Mall is expected to see a transformation, with reports suggesting that an arcade and sports bar, Dave & Buster’s, will occupy part of the space. Affordable clothing retailer Primark is also rumored to be considering a portion of the building.

Sears has struggled to stay afloat since filing for bankruptcy in October 2018. After emerging from Chapter 11 proceedings in 2022, it initiated a liquidation process for its remaining assets. The retailer’s peak saw it as the world’s largest, boasting numerous locations and well-known brands. However, it has been gradually selling off locations, and this recent closure signifies a significant step towards the end of Sears’ once-dominant presence in the retail landscape.

Sears, Roebuck & Co., founded in 1886 by Richard W. Sears and  Alvah C. Roebuck, emerged as an American retail behemoth that played a pivotal role in shaping the nation’s consumer landscape. Originally operating as a mail-order catalog company, Sears swiftly expanded its offerings, becoming a one-stop shop for a vast array of products, from clothing and appliances to tools and even entire houses.

The company’s revolutionary catalog, introduced in 1888, allowed Americans, particularly those in rural areas, access to a diverse range of goods. Sears was instrumental in bringing affordable, quality merchandise to households across the country. Over the decades, the retail giant evolved into a brick-and-mortar powerhouse, with its iconic department stores becoming fixtures in malls and urban centers.

Sears embraced innovative marketing strategies, including celebrity endorsements and the introduction of popular brands like Kenmore and Craftsman. By the mid-20th century, Sears had become a retail giant, offering not only products but also financial services through its Discover Card.

However, the onset of the digital age posed challenges for Sears, and the company struggled to adapt. Facing financial difficulties, it filed for bankruptcy in 2018.