‘Handful’ of Kmart stores to close

Sears Holding Corp. is confirming it's closing a handful of Kmart stores across the country by mid-April as it evaluates its fleet.

The Hoffman Estates, Illinois-based parent, which also operates Sears stores, declined to give a number or offer how many people would be affected, but said that the closures are consistent with a year ago.

In a statement, company spokesman Howard Riefs described the closures as a "small percentage" of its overall store base.

As of the end of its fiscal third quarter, Sears operated 952 Kmart stores and 735 Sears stores.

The move comes a month after Sears reported that its third-quarter loss narrowed as it reduced expenses but sales continue to decline at the two ailing chains.

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