Sears

Sears, originally Sears, Roebuck and Co., is an American retail company that began as a mail-order business in the late 19th century and later expanded into department stores.

Sears is an American retail company that began as a mail-order business in the 1890s and grew into one of the largest department-store chains in the United States before its decline and bankruptcy in 2018.

What it is

Sears, originally Sears, Roebuck and Co., was founded by Richard W. Sears and Alvah C. Roebuck. It started with mail-order watches and jewelry, then expanded into general merchandise. The company opened its first retail stores in 1925 and became a dominant force in American retail, known for brands like Craftsman and Kenmore.

Why it matters

Sears shaped consumer shopping habits across the U.S. for much of the 20th century, pioneering mail-order catalogs and department stores. Its decline—triggered by competition from discount chains and e-commerce—led to a 2018 bankruptcy and asset sale to Transformco. In Canada, Sears Canada operated as a separate chain until it was liquidated in 2017.

Key details

Sears merged with Kmart in 2005 to form Sears Holdings Corporation. After filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2018, its assets were acquired by ESL Investments and transferred to Transformco. The company's legacy includes its role in popularizing mail-order retail and branded household goods.