Thread regarding Sears layoffs

I used to work at corporate. Nobody over there thought the transformation was going to work after about 2014. Everybody knew the strategies didn't make sense and by that point realized there was no discussion - just follow orders.

How can the company survive on the "best" categories when vendors are cutting them off regularly, the general public knows the service is sh-- and the products are being re-sourced to cheaper and cheaper vendors resulting in worse quality and more need for that sh--ty service? Its a downward spiral.

No competitor is looking. If the location was worthwhile they'll just take the space. All they have to do is make SHLD an offer and the store will be closed. And who would buy? Amazon will want top of the line IF they decided to go B&M with general merchandise. Think Whole Foods. The Target-Amazon scenario is way more likely and even that's pretty far fetched. Macys, JCPenney, etc are contracting and on the off-chance they do want to open a new location they'd just make an offer on the space. Walmart and Target's standards for location and building quality are too high. Heck, even the thrift stores like Savers and Goodwill are closing locations.

Maybe Eddie will keep pumping money in and keep things going a while longer but there's no way this company doesn't eventually go the way of so many other old school department and discount stores. Maybe something happens where the SHOS stores become Sears after a SHLD bankruptcy and do appliances, mattresses and other home goods, but even those are closing at a pretty rapid rate. Without Sears feeding them bargain outlet merchandise they've got a rough road too.

I am just baffled by the posts on this site. I mean all the posts that are basically people nervous they might lose their jobs. Is it really not obvious yet? YES you are going to lose your job. Why wait? I just don’t understand.

First and foremost wow OP see what I mean no one is protected at this point. To be #1 in your own district and at the end closing just shows you how Eddie isnt here for growth why would you close a profitable store at this point especially being #1. For me I don't see any light in this company way to much debt at this point. Company has just been shrinking less stores every year more debt nope I don't believe their is a turnaround.

I think some of the stores will survive.I believe half the remaining stores will be closed and the other half could achieve a small profit if focused on the best categories, appliances and mattresses because they are less affected by online and Amazon competition.However thoses stores might have a smaller footprint.

Sears / kmart is the new RadioShack

when eddie bought kmart ....then sears everyone knew he was in it for the money.....no matter what the PR of the day is....plain and simple.....other than the simple "show me" store no money was filtered down to expand or improve any stores in any sizeable chunk to show actual concern.....basically just dog and pony shows for people.......after 40 years my job was eliminated and i was shown the door......we always had hoped eddie could hold off longer but it looks like the total end is growing very close......unless he sells to a competitor a chunk its basically over for anyone left.....if your still there ....look now and dont be thrown out there with nothing.......good luck

I have been working for Sears since the 1980's and can remember when this company was still the #1 retailer....If this company ever returns to profitability, it will be a company unrecognizable compared to today with the majority of brick and mortar stores closed....I give it a year before it folds into backruptcy....The iceberg is about to strike the Titanic.