The End Of Kmart?

The nation third largest retailer is going out like the cassette tape.

I was listening to the Associated Press radio reports this morning and I heard something that had me shaking my head. I never thought I would say this, but I have this feeling that 2015 will not be a good year for the "Blue Light Specials"

I predict in five years, the nation's discount department store Kmart will be a part of American history. It will be on the way out like most popular retailers that went out of business during its downward spiral. The nation's third largest discount retailer will be gone. Leaving Walmart and Target as the only discount retailers in the world.

Kmart is a nationwide retailer of electronics, toys, clothing, bedding, furniture and home decor.

The retailer was founded by Sebastian S. Kresge. When he passed away in 1966, his company joined the hyperstore movement as Kmart in 1977. It was based in Detroit's suburb of Troy until 2005.

It moved to Hoffman Estates, Illinois in 2006 when Sears found some ounce of hope for Kmart.

In the Dayton, Ohio suburb of Trotwood, Kmart closed in 2013. The suburb is dubbed a "ghost town" for the massive departure of big box stores and the demise of the Salem Mall, Dayton's first indoor shopping center.

When Sears was struggling, the company thought the best idea to save the business was to merge with Kmart.

I guess the merger isn't helping the struggling retailer. Sears Holding Group which owns Sears and Kmart are seeing the shoppers not interested in the deals they're offering.

Kmart is the only retailer that still advocates layaway.

In my opinion, the average Kmart is like a hot mess. The store looks "dirty" but at least some of their workers are friendly at best. Cleanliness is the first thing most shoppers see when they enter a Kmart.

If they see dirty floors, damaged products, potential opportunities for theft, poor lighting, potholes in the parking lot and limited selection of products, shoppers turn away. That is a fact.

I live in Dayton, Ohio. There's four locations in Englewood, Beavercreek, Riverside and Springboro. These are the remaining locations in the metro area.

They're on the verge of shutting down the remaining stores in the area. I am guessing Englewood and Riverside are next on the list of stores on the close.

Kmart recently closed the Trotwood store in 2013 and Fairborn store in 2014.

Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving) is a major shopping day for Americans. The retailers are hoping to see the BLACK in sales. That usually means that a healthy economy comes from families shopping at malls, discount stores, car dealerships and even local businesses.

The malls, Kmart, Walmart, Target, Best Buy, Home Depot, Loews, and other big box stores depend on the Black Friday sales. If they can have a healthy Black Friday, they can be motivated to opening up potential stores in other areas. They can hire more employees and offer more deals.

This is a nightmare if a retailer fails to generate Black Friday success.

If that's not capitalism, then I don't know what I can tell ya!

Okay, what's your thoughts on this?

*Please note that anonymous comments are deleted no exceptions!