I’m aware that this question of mine could be interpreted as a stupid one, given that we’re in a state in which any store could close any day, but I’m after the experiences of folks from stores that already closed, or that are set for closure. Of course that is, if it’s not too hard to talk about it. Does the closure come all of a sudden or are you able to see some signs and symptoms o f that closure might happen?
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I am a liquidator and I have liquidated Sears and Kmart products. I often find that some of the retailers I do the most business with are about to drop off my supplier list. Put it this way: I'm looking for my next business partner right now for next year. I highly advise everyone here to start looking for jobs ASAP because Christmas is likely your last hurrah.
An obvious imminent sign is that the store is no longer taking layaways.
Few indicators to watch for.
Mall execs floating around
Deliveries short or off schedule
Inventory date is changed
Full line HR visiting
The entire company will more than likely be liquidated after the Christmas holiday.
I work for INNOVEL, You can trust me every store in a shopping mall is going to close.
Ya I was joking but that is the culture of this company, they don't joke about it everyday conference calls to talk about the same 3 things and how they can get the percentages up in those categories this company is a joke, I heard back in the day DM's used to come to the store and ask the store manager what they could do to help them now they just nag about the same 3 metrics everyday on conference calls what a waste of time for everyone
If you are working for Kmart or Sears, get out now! No joke! Good profiting stores have closed. I think at this point there's no saving The Titanic. Get in the life boat and sail to safer waters!!! Dont look back.
Pretty sure that guy was joking.
Focus on PA, SYW and credit??!!
You’re an id–t and the reason this company Was in trouble these Lambert years. Here’s an idea.
Focus on profitable sales and Gross Profit DOLLARS through SALES and misc revenues. Recognize the value of people!
Stay focused team, the remaining stores left just need to make a stronger push for credit, SYW, and protection agreements to get this company back on track and we'll all keep our jobs
If you're getting a HR visit anytime soon your store is closing
Walk outside your store. Glance up at the front of the building. If the letters "SEARS" or "KMART" appear on the building, your store is closing.
It's a simple yet effective way to tell if your store is closing.
If you go outside, look up and see the name Sears or Kmart over the front door, your store is going to close..
More seriously, a "good" store could still close all of a sudden if the land it's sitting on is valuable. The most obvious sign of a doomed store is lack of sales. If you could shoot a cannon down the main aisles during the business day without hitting anyone, it's only a matter of time. If they are trying to cover the entire store with only a handful of people during the day, the writing is on the wall. They aren't going to announce the closing in advance, even to the managers in the store, so you have to make your own decision about timing.
If you're still open, you're closing. Whether it's not or a few months from now.
If your children's clothing section is full of recently received school uniforms, and no one uses uniforms in the county, your store may be closing. If the state comes in and takes the lottery machine, you may be closing. If the gift cards in your store cannot be activated, you may be closing. If the phone is shut off for 12hours, you may be closing. If your manager calls to say you are closing, it's over.