Insights & Strategy
Sears at 133: The Canonical American Retail Collapse Case
Sears was founded in 1893 and became the largest U.S. retailer by 1969 — generating over 1% of U.S. GDP. The 2005 Kmart merger under Eddie Lampert was the inflection. The October 2018 Chapter 11 ended Sears Holdings. By 2026: under 10 U.S. stores. The canonical 133-year American retail collapse case.