Tears for Sears

On October 15, 2018, Sears - that most venerable of American retail stores - filed for bankruptcy. They then announced that they were closing several Sears and K Mart stores around the country, including the Sears that is in Fair Oaks Mall in Fairfax, Virginia. I decided to go there last week, to see for myself what has happened to this once great retail store. Many young people today, particularly millenials, don't remember a time when Sears & Roebuck was the king of retail in America! Sears was more than just a retail store, it was a shining symbol of America! The Sears wish catalogue was one of the most anticipated publications of the year. Many factors contributed to the downfall of Sears. Starting in the mid 90s, terrible management, terrible leadership, but most of, it was the onset and explosion of online retailing from companies such as amazon and ebay, drove the final nail into the coffin. Like many Americans, I hope they do find a way to save Sears, because Sears is an institution. But I know, I have to be realistic and it would take a miracle to save Sears.