The pharmacy. Thankfully the pharmacist at Kmart got a job at Meijer pharmacy. I loved the Jaclyn Smith clothing line. Really enjoyed the toy section and Christmas decor. Always liked Kmart better than Wal-Mart and Target, the employees were nicer
Kmart suffered from mis-management. Instead of investing in updating/remodeling their stores, they spent the money buying other retailers. Then after their 2003 bankruptcy, they made the huge mistake of buying Sears. Eddie Lambert then let the Kmart stores decline. They begin to look old and run down. My Kmart closed in 2014. Eddie was interested in the real estate side, not the retail side. He ran both Sears & Kmart to the ground
Thank you for sharing your thoughts! You’ve made some excellent points about Kmart’s management decisions, especially regarding their investments in other retailers instead of focusing on updating their stores. The merger with Sears indeed seems to have been a turning point that accelerated the decline. It’s interesting (and sad) how much the focus shifted away from retail operations. What do you think could have been done differently to save Kmart? Would love to hear more of your thoughts!
Would just like to point out that K mart never had enough to capitol to "buy" Sears. Sears was the the leader of the pack and it was common knowledge that Sears was taking on K mart because the plan was that Sears acquisition of K mart was believed that it would help both businesses to pool their assets together. (though Sears seemed to have the more notable brand names.) But once again, poor management played a very key role in both companies to have to close. I miss both stores. (the announcer phrased it correctly when he said the two companies merged.) - - - Oh, let me point out also that K mart had been under paying employees nearly to their closing. That was their first problem they should have dealt with that first. Second, they badly needed to upgrade the registers! Third, the Blue light specials Never needed anything, except to not be taken away.
My first real job as a teen was at K-mart in LaPorte, Ind. when it opened in 1976. I worked in the paint dept. mixing and selling paint. I think I made a whopping $2.85 an hour. Enough to keep my 72’ Chevelle full of gas to cruise the drag. 🤪 I still remember that cafe inside the K-mart. Thanks for the great memories. ❤️👍
Kmart was where I bought my first album, 52nd Street by Billy Joel, with my 8th birthday money - other fond memories of the store include the catchy jingle, the aroma wafting from the cafe, and the little coin-operated merry-go-round right outside the entrance
I totally get what you mean! Kmart and Woolworth were such staples in so many communities. They both had a certain charm and nostalgia that’s hard to find in today’s retail world. What do you miss most about shopping there? Would love to hear your favorite memories!
One of the last stores was in my parents town. They still made money up until the end. They were in a touristy area next to the only grocery store in town
Its nbd but it looks a few images shown are of Australian Kmarts, which are still going strong in Australia and since 1994 have had no common ownership with the US company
It’s amazing how Kmart holds a special place in so many hearts, especially from those decades! There was something about the shopping experience back then that was truly unique. Do you have any specific memories or favorite things you used to buy there during the 70s and 80s? I’d love to hear your stories!
Wow, I remember my childhood in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. I never liked them, however, my parents, grandparents, and my great grandparents loved them very much and attended there every weekend with family and relatives together. That's hilarious! My good experience and good memories with Kmart stores are because the employees wore blue/green color mixed bright top uniforms, blue flashing light signal, "Attention Kmart Shoppers," a half silver mirror on the ceiling top everywhere inside, the white balloon (K-red, mart-blue) with red stand stick, and the light bulbs with a long huge line all the way on the ceiling top. In the meantime, I like Target stores because they are modern, specification, and sleek. 😁
I hated this store. I live in California where it’s pretty hot in the summer and in the mid 1990’s, they would always claim the air conditioner was broke down and that they were getting it fixed, which of course, never happened. I didn’t go there for 5 years. Then I went in 2000, and it was still the same, but the inventory was sparse, and so was the help. It was like no one worked there. I went about three times, maybe 4 that year, and finally, quit going that year.
My local Kmart is now a Cleveland Clinic where I just did some blood work (probably about where women's intimates were. I did work there for a short time before they closed. I absolutely love when I find a vinyl record or baseball card set with a vintage Kmart sticker on it
They acquired stores that also went belly up. I remember in the end the store looked like a thrift store. Old , outdated and higher prices that Walmart. I said to myself, they are going to go out of business.
Also in their infinite wisdom K Mart implemented 20 40 60 at the worst time . They laid off the Management with 20 Years Experience , 40 Years Old , Making $60,000 dollars . That only accelerated their decline . With those lay offs they took the expressway to the dumpster !
Kmart, Walmart & Target all opened in 1962, but Kmart expanded quicker across the USA than the others did. But then the 1980s came and those 2 retailers started coming across the country in Kmart's areas
What a sweet memory! 💖 Your Grammy must have made working at Kmart extra special, especially with those Barbies! Such a lovely tradition. Thanks for sharing-it brought a smile to my face! 😊
Kmart was never special. It was a monopoly. When they lost their monopoly, they lost the game. Sure the logo changed and the uniforms changed from green to red, but the day the stores closed they still had the exact same pegboard shelving and florescent lighting as the day they opened. Kmart spent zero on improving their stores. They just kept operating like they were still a monopoly.
things change. walmart xhanged with the times. it was onr time mode in ameriva. it mobed into yje glonal marjets as international low cost. kmart lost its hearth it rook with it sears and borders. walmart replaced walmart in some towns. and in slome plaves closed discount store were replaced with outer middle vlassed stores.
What do you miss most about Kmart?
The pharmacy. Thankfully the pharmacist at Kmart got a job at Meijer pharmacy. I loved the Jaclyn Smith clothing line. Really enjoyed the toy section and Christmas decor. Always liked Kmart better than Wal-Mart and Target, the employees were nicer
Kmart suffered from mis-management. Instead of investing in updating/remodeling their stores, they spent the money buying other retailers. Then after their 2003 bankruptcy, they made the huge mistake of buying Sears. Eddie Lambert then let the Kmart stores decline. They begin to look old and run down. My Kmart closed in 2014. Eddie was interested in the real estate side, not the retail side. He ran both Sears & Kmart to the ground
Thank you for sharing your thoughts! You’ve made some excellent points about Kmart’s management decisions, especially regarding their investments in other retailers instead of focusing on updating their stores. The merger with Sears indeed seems to have been a turning point that accelerated the decline. It’s interesting (and sad) how much the focus shifted away from retail operations. What do you think could have been done differently to save Kmart? Would love to hear more of your thoughts!
Would just like to point out that K mart never had enough to capitol to "buy" Sears. Sears was the the leader of the pack and it was common knowledge that Sears was taking on K mart because the plan was that Sears acquisition of K mart was believed that it would help both businesses to pool their assets together. (though Sears seemed to have the more notable brand names.) But once again, poor management played a very key role in both companies to have to close. I miss both stores. (the announcer phrased it correctly when he said the two companies merged.) - - - Oh, let me point out also that K mart had been under paying employees nearly to their closing. That was their first problem they should have dealt with that first. Second, they badly needed to upgrade the registers! Third, the Blue light specials Never needed anything, except to not be taken away.
My first real job as a teen was at K-mart in LaPorte, Ind. when it opened in 1976. I worked in the paint dept. mixing and selling paint. I think I made a whopping $2.85 an hour. Enough to keep my 72’ Chevelle full of gas to cruise the drag. 🤪
I still remember that cafe inside the K-mart.
Thanks for the great memories. ❤️👍
Great story thanks for sharing!
I like the voice over narrations of these videos. They sound like that of a vintage documentary, and in a good way!
I remember going to the fishing department when i was a kid. those are wonderful memories!
Kmart was where I bought my first album, 52nd Street by Billy Joel, with my 8th birthday money - other fond memories of the store include the catchy jingle, the aroma wafting from the cafe, and the little coin-operated merry-go-round right outside the entrance
I Remember The little Carousel By The front door!
Thanks for sharing
I miss Kmart and Woolworth!
I totally get what you mean! Kmart and Woolworth were such staples in so many communities. They both had a certain charm and nostalgia that’s hard to find in today’s retail world. What do you miss most about shopping there? Would love to hear your favorite memories!
@@karanferrell4680 I miss a Woolworth birthday cake
Eddie Lampert. Eddie Lampert is what happened to Kmart. And to sears.
Kmart was declining before Eddie Lambert came due to mis-management
we have another video about sears in the channel :)
One of the last stores was in my parents town. They still made money up until the end. They were in a touristy area next to the only grocery store in town
Its nbd but it looks a few images shown are of Australian Kmarts, which are still going strong in Australia and since 1994 have had no common ownership with the US company
Thank you for sharing
there are many reasons why Kmart failed in the end changing shopping habits poor management etc.
Totally! Kmart just couldn’t keep up with the times. It’s wild how shopping habits have changed, huh?
Loved K mart back in the 70s, 80s.
It’s amazing how Kmart holds a special place in so many hearts, especially from those decades! There was something about the shopping experience back then that was truly unique. Do you have any specific memories or favorite things you used to buy there during the 70s and 80s? I’d love to hear your stories!
Wow, I remember my childhood in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. I never liked them, however, my parents, grandparents, and my great grandparents loved them very much and attended there every weekend with family and relatives together. That's hilarious! My good experience and good memories with Kmart stores are because the employees wore blue/green color mixed bright top uniforms, blue flashing light signal, "Attention Kmart Shoppers," a half silver mirror on the ceiling top everywhere inside, the white balloon (K-red, mart-blue) with red stand stick, and the light bulbs with a long huge line all the way on the ceiling top. In the meantime, I like Target stores because they are modern, specification, and sleek. 😁
Thanks for sharing
I hated this store. I live in California where it’s pretty hot in the summer and in the mid 1990’s, they would always claim the air conditioner was broke down and that they were getting it fixed, which of course, never happened. I didn’t go there for 5 years. Then I went in 2000, and it was still the same, but the inventory was sparse, and so was the help. It was like no one worked there. I went about three times, maybe 4 that year, and finally, quit going that year.
My local Kmart is now a Cleveland Clinic where I just did some blood work (probably about where women's intimates were. I did work there for a short time before they closed. I absolutely love when I find a vinyl record or baseball card set with a vintage Kmart sticker on it
They acquired stores that also went belly up. I remember in the end the store looked like a thrift store. Old , outdated and higher prices that Walmart. I said to myself, they are going to go out of business.
Also in their infinite wisdom K Mart implemented 20 40 60 at the worst time . They laid off the Management with 20 Years Experience , 40 Years Old , Making $60,000 dollars . That only accelerated their decline . With those lay offs they took the expressway to the dumpster !
Thank you for sharing your insights! It’s always interesting to hear different perspectives on corporate decisions and their consequences.
Kmart, Walmart & Target all opened in 1962, but Kmart expanded quicker across the USA than the others did. But then the 1980s came and those 2 retailers started coming across the country in Kmart's areas
you're right
My grammy worked for K mart for many years. I always got a special barbie ❤
What a sweet memory! 💖 Your Grammy must have made working at Kmart extra special, especially with those Barbies! Such a lovely tradition. Thanks for sharing-it brought a smile to my face! 😊
I shopped there when I moved into my first appartment
The last one in bridgehamptom closed in October . Its no more
Kmart was never special. It was a monopoly. When they lost their monopoly, they lost the game. Sure the logo changed and the uniforms changed from green to red, but the day the stores closed they still had the exact same pegboard shelving and florescent lighting as the day they opened. Kmart spent zero on improving their stores. They just kept operating like they were still a monopoly.
Thanks for sharing
Rainman came out in theaters and told everyone Kmart sucks
Now Kmart is gone and so are all the low prices.
I never thought much of Kmart. I always felt that they were dumpy and dirty. Way back I never liked Zodys either.
Woolworth’s was great
things change. walmart xhanged with the times. it was onr time mode in ameriva. it mobed into yje glonal marjets as international low cost.
kmart lost its hearth it rook with it sears and borders. walmart replaced walmart in some towns. and in slome plaves closed discount store were replaced with outer middle vlassed stores.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts! It’s interesting to hear different perspectives on how these changes have affected the retail scene.
Ah yes…. The old 5 and deem stores.
Me and my friend got caught stealing at KMart on santa ana N atlantic in caduhy
I steal a shrapie he hhad a gameboy some games n charger
We were 12
Another reason to hate target lol
Kresgeeee. Seeers not sizers or kresgggg
Haha, I get it! 😅 Sometimes the pronunciation gets a bit tricky. Thanks for the laugh and for watching-hope you enjoyed the video!
The artificial voice ruins the video