Sears Holdings Corp. (OTCMKTS:SHLDQ) was a U.S. retail holding company best known for operating the Sears and Kmart brands. At its peak, the company offered a wide range of merchandise including appliances, tools, electronics, apparel and home goods through an extensive network of brick-and-mortar department stores and catalog operations. Its ancillary businesses included automotive parts sales, home installation services and a growing e-commerce platform.
Originally founded in 1892 as Sears, Roebuck and Co., the company pioneered the mail-order catalog business and grew to become one of America’s largest retailers. Over the decades, it spun off successful divisions — including Allstate Insurance, Discover Card and Lands’ End — while expanding its footprint through the acquisition of Kmart in 2005. Headquartered in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, Sears historically served customers across all 50 states and maintained a presence in Canada and Mexico at various points in its history.
During its later years, Sears shifted focus toward digital integration and service offerings such as home repairs, installations and protection plans, aiming to leverage brand recognition and customer loyalty. Leadership under CEO and Chairman Edward “Eddie” Lampert sought to restructure operations and optimize real estate assets, though the company faced ongoing challenges from shifting consumer habits and intensified competition from online and discount retailers.
In October 2018, Sears Holdings filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and subsequently sold the majority of its assets to a private affiliate, transforming the portfolio into a new operating entity. While the original holding company continues to trade OTC as SHLDQ in liquidation, most remaining stores operate under the ownership of Transform Holdco LLC, which now carries forward the Sears and Kmart brand legacy.
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