The Kmart Story

“Spot a great Kmart deal with the iconic blue light!

If you shopped in the 1970s, you knew exactly where to find those unique blue light specials.

This clever slogan came from Kmart, the U.S. discount retail chain founded in 1899.”

The company was originally called SS Kresge Company and was renamed Kmart Corporation in 1977.

The Blue Light Special was a promotion the company ran in the 1970s.

The promotion was simple: a blue light would go on in a specific aisle, and then customers could get a special deal on the items in that aisle.

Please leave your comments in the “Leave a Reply” section at the bottom of this page

This special was a way for the company to quickly sell inventory and attract customers to the store. It was so successful that it became a permanent part of the store and is still running today.

Kmart’s Appeal

The Kmart brand appealed to a wide range of customers, from families looking for affordable clothes and home goods to bargain hunters looking for deals on items.

The retail chain was considered a discount store.

Discount stores sell products at lower prices than usual. The company also offered items under its own brand, helping them keep prices down.

Ups And Downs . . .

Although the company has been through some tough times in recent years, it is still in business today

Under a new plan, the company has been investing in new technologies, improving its store experience, and expanding its product offerings.

The company has also shifted its focus to appeal to a more upscale audience.

This has led to Kmart selling more expensive items and offering more exclusive deals.

Still. . .

Kmart was once one of the most popular retail chains in the United States. But in recent years, the company has gone down the drain

So What Happened?

There are a few factors that have contributed to Kmart’s decline. First, the company has been slow to adopt new technologies.

This has made it difficult for Kmart to keep up with the changing retail landscape.

Online Shopping

Another reason for the chain’s decline is its inability to keep up with changing consumer habits.

Online shopping has hurt traditional stores like Kmart because more people prefer buying items online, which means fewer customers visit physical locations.

Finally, the retail chain’s financial problems may have also played a role in its decline.

The company has been struggling to turn a profit in recent years, and this has made it difficult to invest in new stores or make other improvements.

All of these factors have contributed to the retail giant’s decline. But the company is not giving up just yet.

The chain is currently working on a plan to revitalize its brand.

Only time will tell if this plan will be successful. Our own research has proven that people want to “Bring it Back”.

Days Gone By . . .

The Kmart of the past was very different from today. It used to be famous for low prices and a wide variety of products.

Now, it is known for high prices and a limited selection. What happened?

The answer is simple: competition.

In the past, the company was the only place to get low prices on a wide range of products. Today, there are many other places to get low prices on a wide range of products.

As a result, the company has had to raise its prices in order to stay afloat.

The old Kmart was a great place for bargains on clothes and electronics.

However, it has faced tough times and closed many stores.

Little Known Facts

Did you know that Kmart was originally called S.S. Kresge Corporation? Or that the first Kmart store opened in 1962 in Garden City, Michigan?

Here are some more interesting facts about this retail giant:

1. Kmart was the third largest discount store chain in the United States, behind Walmart and Target.

2. As of 2018, there were a total of 941 Kmart stores in operation across the globe.

3. Kmart was one of the first retailers to offer layaway plans and home delivery services.

4. Kmart bought Sears in 2005 for $12 billion

5. Kmart is one of the oldest retail chains in the United States?

6. Today, Kmart is a subsidiary of Sears Holdings Corporation and has 3 stores in the United States.

7. Kmart was the first retailer to introduce the self-serve checkout system

9. Kmart had its own line of products, known as “Kmart brand” or “KB” products

Only a few Kmart Stores Still Open!

As of June 2025, there are 10 Kmart stores still open in the United States. This includes one small-format store in Miami, Florida, three stores in the U.S. Virgin Islands, and one store in Guam.

The last full-size Kmart store in the continental U.S., located in Bridgehampton, New York, closed in October 2024. Additionally, there are five Kmart stores in Puerto Rico.