I'm as skeptical as most about the true intentions of those in control of Sears and Kmart. However, I shop Kmart often and have noticed the level of customer service has improved and the locations I shop seem better stocked and there are a lot of in-store specials (price drops) that have caused me to visit more often and spend more money. I'm in Southern California and have shopped the Costa Mesa, Jurupa Valley (Riverside) and Big Bear Lake locations. Big Bear has the online order system nailed down and they process orders faster than Target does with a high level of service. I was at Big Bear today and the lady at the Service Desk had a lot of training packets out that seemed to be about layaway and I noticed plannogram type paperwork out on the sales floor for the holidays. And when I made a comment about Big Bear possibly closing the lady at the register said "no way is that happening." Not that an associate would know, but there must be a positive attitude around that store.
I've shopped Kmart for years and in each location more than one associate came up to ask if I needed help which hasn't happened for ages. And in Jurupa Valley I had a coupon that wouldn't scan due to a sloppily printed barcode from the Catalina coupon machine and the manager on duty came over apologized and took $5 off my purchase by overriding items.
I'm as much as a naysayer as anyone here, but perhaps something is happening. I'm still not completely optimistic as a discount chain with just over 100 locations will have its challenges to be competitive, but who knows.