With my comments about Kmart on my previous post, I thought it'd be interesting to do a short little post about the decline of Kmart in a few select states over the past few years. I started to keep track of locations in a few states back in 2015 for PA and NY an 2016 for a few other states. These maps can give you an idea visually of seeing how many have closed in select areas.
First off, Pennsylvania:
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| January 2015 |
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| November 2016 |
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| June 2017 |
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| November 2017 |
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| June 2018 |
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| October 2018 (bankruptcy)* |
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| February 2019 |
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| September 2019 # |
New York:
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| January 2015 |
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| November 2016 |
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| June 2017 |
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| November 2017 |
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| June 2018 |
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| October 2018 (bankruptcy)* |
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| February 2019 |
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| September 2019 |
West Virginia:
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| November 2016 |
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| June 2017 ^ |
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| November 2017 |
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| June 2018 |
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October 2018 (bankruptcy)
There were no changes in Feb 2019, both stores remained. |
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| Sept 2019 |
Virginia:
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| November 2016 |
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| June 2017 |
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November 2017
No changes in June 2018. |
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| October 2018 (bankruptcy) |
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February 2019
Kmart has left the state of Virginia with the most recent closing list. |
Maryland & Delaware:
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November 2016
There were 4 Kmart stores in Delaware at this time. |
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| June 2017 |
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| November 2017 |
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| June 2018 |
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| October 2018 (bankruptcy) |
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| February 2019 |
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| September 2019 |
New England states:
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| November 2016 |
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| June 2017 |
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| November 2017 |
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| June 2018 |
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| October 2018 (bankruptcy) |
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| February 2019 |
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| Sept 2019 |
Kentucky:
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| November 2016 |
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| June 2017 |
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| November 2017 |
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| June 2018 |
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October 2018 (bankruptcy)
These final 2 Kentucky stores would remain until the most recent closure list in August 2019. With that list, Kmart has left the state of Kentucky. |
\Tennessee:
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| Nov 2016 |
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| June 2017 |
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| November 2017 |
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| June 2018 |
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| October 2018 (bankruptcy) |
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Feb 2019
These final store would remain until the most recent closure list in August 2019. With that list, Kmart has left the state of Tennessee. |
Michigan:
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| Nov 2016 |
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| June 2017 |
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| Nov 2017 |
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| June 2018 |
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| October 2018 (bankruptcy) |
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| Feb 2019 |
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| Sept 2019 |
North Carolina:
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| Nov 2016 |
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| June 2017 |
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| Nov 2017 |
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| June 2018 |
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| October 2018 (bankruptcy) |
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| Feb 2019 |
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| Sept 2019 |
South Carolina:
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| Nov 2016 |
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| June 2017 |
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Nov 2017
No changes in June 2018 |
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| October 2018 (bankruptcy) |
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Feb 2019
Sumter, SC would close after February, but before September 2019.
The final 3 store would remain until the most recent closure list in August 2019. With that list, Kmart has left the state of South Carolina. |
Georgia:
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| Nov 2016 |
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| June 2017 |
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| Nov 2017 |
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June 2018
These final two stores would close as part of the bankruptcy, making Kmart leave the state of Georgia. |
Alabama:
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| Nov 2016 |
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June 2017
Alabama was one of the first of the Continental states that Kmart exited in late 2017. |
*During the bankruptcy wave of October 2018, public documents listed stores that were marked for future closure. This is represented by the orange K's. Some of these stores did close afterwards.
#At this time, Walnutport is rumored to close, but there is no official confirmation as of this post.
^A flash flood caused a bridge that connected a plaza (where this Kmart was located) to wash out. This caused Kmart to close the store for at least 2 or 3 months before it would reopen. The Question Mark was put in place as it was unknown if the store would even reopen at all at the time.
Definitely a good way to make use of these maps you've been making over the past few years. Essentially, that's always been the whole point of them, right - to show the effects of the closure rounds? Well done :) This makes for a nice visual of the situation...
ReplyDeleteYep, saw the writing on the walls and figured I might as well start documenting them. And thanks!
DeleteI walked through Mattydale on Monday night, still not yet in liquidation. They spent a little money in there, telling me the store did not expect the closure; some painting, some moving of shelves and reorganizing; not a lot, but it felt like things that had been delayed a while were being done. While not 100% full shelves had gotten back to more stock than they'd had during bankruptcy. Some of it was spreading out to make less look like more.
ReplyDeleteThe automotive section was entirely eliminated and what was left was on clearance about 10% off in one aisle. That stuff replaced a lot of the Craftsman tools which were just plain gone. They got in boots and some other fall/winter things. The sports apparel section had been moved and reduced in size. Individual sheets and the low end sheet sets were gone entirely, unless they had been moved.
Strangest of all, the make-up section, two brands were wiped right out, mostly empty shelves, one brand had a 50% off sign over it. I'm not sure these had ever been re-stocked fully post bankruptcy, I recall them being fairly empty the last time I was there. Other rows in that area were still full. I don't know if that meant they intended to discontinue it, cut back, or what, I guess I may never know since the last store anywhere near me (indeed the last one in NY outside of the NYC area) is out of my way to go to.
In an irony they had a few signs up seeking to hire people for the liquidation.
I can't believe all these stores were unprofitable and I do wonder what the real end-game is here.
Elimination of the Kmart brand at the very least.
DeleteWord has it there are more stores that have been informed of impending liquidation.
Stock issues have been plaguing the company since bankruptcy. Pretty much all electronics products (except for a few TV, accessories and movies) have been cut. It is weird to me that Mattydale would just get rid of automotive all together because Williamsport, PA still had a decent selection.
ReplyDeleteThis most recent closure wave pretty much sealed Kmart's fate in my book. Way to many profitable locations were included this time around. I feel like this is the point of no return under current management.
I had one person tell me they got an email with Shop Your Way listing Wal-mart, Target and Michaels following K-mart and Sears. So far no confirmation anywhere.
ReplyDeleteNot sure Mattydale will make December, it's been emptying out fairly rapidly. Somewhat ironic as the sales hadn't been as good as the regular sale prices before they started.
I've wondered if these stores will make it that long too. Stock levels are rather low.
DeleteHave to revisit this with an update for the most recent closure announcements. Even Sidney, NY is going.
ReplyDeleteCorrect you are.
Delete