After surviving several years longer than its sister stores, the last full-scale KMart store in the US will close its doors for the final time on Sunday. It’s the end of an era for the once-iconic retailer, which opened its first store in 1962 and was the country’s second-largest retailer by 1986.
Known for its “Blue Light Specials”, celebrity partnerships, and much-loved snack bar, the retailer has been in decline since the late-’90s. Due to mismanagement, failed acquisitions, outdated locations, and failure to adapt to online shopping trends, the chain filed for bankruptcy in 2002, and again in 2018.
With this last full store closing, all that remains of the KMart brand is a small KMart outlet in Miami, and a few locations in Guam and the US Virgin Islands.
Sad, really. I remember shopping with my family there. Running to get to the Blue Light Specials, and having lunch at the KMart Diner with my grandmother. Long time ago.
Well, that’s sad to hear.