This article may be of interest to people on this board. Investing in retail employees can actually result in positive financial results. What a radical concept! It's likely far too late for anything positive to happen at Sears/Kmart, but maybe other retailers will get the hint and start reversing the cost cutting trend.
It's especially sad because Sears/Kmart are two retailers where the investment in employees could have really paid off. With the complex and expensive items these stores sell, competent motivated sales help is crucial. But SHC thinks they can get professional level dedication from employees for fast food wages. The ongoing financial disaster proves the approach doesn't work, but here they are already scheduling more cuts for next year. Under the Lampert regime, SHC management seems completely unable to learn anything from real world experience. Fortunately for employees, it will be over soon.
https://hbr.org/2012/01/why-good-jobs-are-good-for-retailers