![Kmart closing more stores, 2 left in New Jersey](https://townsquare.media/site/385/files/2021/05/Kmart-in-Avanel.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Kmart closing more stores, 2 left in New Jersey
The slow death spiral of Kmart continues with news that the once-dominant discount retailer will soon be down to just six stores in the U.S., including two in New Jersey. When Sears purchased it out of bankruptcy in 2005, there were 1,400 stores.
According to News 12 New Jersey, the two remaining New Jersey locations are in Avenel and Westwood.
There are now more Kmarts in the Virgin Islands than in any one of the 50 U.S. states.
Kmart traces its beginnings back to the 19th century when a man named Sebastian Spering Kresge opened a five and dime in downtown Detroit, MI. Under the Kmart brand, which it adopted in 1962, it came to dominate the discount sector of retail, with its signature “blue light specials.”
It struggled to compete with stores like Walmart and Target, though, and filed for bankruptcy. Sears, another troubled retailer, bought it out of bankruptcy in 2005, but Sears Holdings went into bankruptcy itself in 2018.
Sears has also been closing stores, with only one New Jersey location (in Jersey City) listed on its website.
According to CNN, one of the reasons for the latest round of Kmart closings is the lack of workers. Just like the rest of retail, they have been having trouble staffing their stores, with the added disadvantage of having a murky future. Who wants to go to work at a place that might soon be out of business?
It now appears to just be a matter of time before two formerly mighty brands, Kmart and Sears, disappear from the landscape entirely.
The post above reflects the thoughts and observations of New Jersey 101.5 talk show host Bill Doyle. Any opinions expressed are Bill Doyle's own.
9 of the nation’s most miserable cities are in New Jersey
Every NJ pizza joint Barstool's Dave Portnoy has reviewed
Goosebumps and other bodily reactions, explained
More From New Jersey 101.5 FM
![These are the last two Kmarts left in NJ](http://townsquare.media/site/385/files/2021/05/Kmart-in-Avanel.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![The last Kmart around is closing – an emotional farewell to childhood (Opinion)](http://townsquare.media/site/385/files/2020/02/Big-Kmart-store-sign.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![The list of Macy’s, Kmart stores closing in New Jersey](http://townsquare.media/site/385/files/2014/10/156392659.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Kmart Delivers a Christmas ‘Ship My Pants’ Commercial [VIDEO]](http://townsquare.media/site/385/files/2013/12/hqdefault26.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Jingle Bells Has Double Meaning in New Commercial [POLL]](http://townsquare.media/site/385/files/2013/11/Screen-shot-2013-11-19-at-12.29.30-PM.png?w=980&q=75)
![Thanksgiving is for Shopping- Should Stores Close? [POLL]](http://townsquare.media/site/385/files/2013/11/walmart.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Kmart to be Open all Day Thanksgiving – Should Stores Close for Thanksgiving? [POLL]](http://townsquare.media/site/385/files/2013/11/Screen-Shot-2013-11-05-at-1.35.34-PM1.png?w=980&q=75)
![Kmart’s ‘Big Gas Savings’ Ad Will Have You Laughing Hysterically](http://townsquare.media/site/385/files/2013/05/hqdefault22.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Best NJ county for retirement also one of the most beautiful](http://townsquare.media/site/385/files/2024/07/attachment-Untitled-design13.jpg?w=980&q=75)