While they were once a mainstay in every mall and shopping center, department stores have struggled to maintain a customer base over the years. The large locations were designed for a complete browsing experience, but with the dawn of online shopping, consumers became accustomed to browsing virtually. Some department stores ended up going out of business entirely, while big names like Macy's and JCPenney have managed to stay afloat. Now, however, two other well-known department stores are shuttering locations, some even before the end of the month. Read on to find out where Sears and Belk are closing up shop.
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Sears is exiting several states.
ShutterstockSears is closing its last locations in five states, Best Life previously reported.
A Sears store in Greensboro, North Carolina, will be closing by the end of the month, according to NBC-affiliate WXII 12 News—leaving the state without any remaining Sears locations. A Sears Appliances & Mattresses store in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, is also closing soon, as is the Sears Home Appliances in Fort Collins, Colorado. According to the Coloradoan, the Fort Collins Sears store is closing on June 18.
In addition, Sears Home & Life stores, which were first opened in 2019, will be gone completely. According to the Acadiana Advocate, the two remaining locations in Overland Park, Kansas, and Lafayette, Louisiana, are shutting down for good—and they're also leave both states without Sears.
Per SB360 Capital Partners, which oversees liquidation processes for Sears, the Sears Appliances & Mattresses store in Pharr, Texas, is also on the chopping block, but as the Sears in El Paso isn't on the closure list, the retailer will still have a presence in Texas.
The number of Sears stores is dwindling.
iStock / WarchiOnce the latest round of Sears closures is complete, the retailer will have only 12 stores remaining in the U.S.
The Sears in Burbank, California, is listed as "temporarily closed" on Google, but the retailer operates three other stores in the state. It also has three stores in Florida and individual locations in Massachusetts, New Jersey, Texas, and Washington. Sears also has a store in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Best Life reached out to Transformco, the owner of Sears, for comment on the closures earlier this month, but has not heard back.
Belk is shuttering a store next month.
Billy F Blume Jr / ShutterstockSears isn't alone in its closure plans: Regional department store chain Belk is shuttering a location in Selma, Alabama.
According to the Selma-Times Journal, the Belk store in the Selma Mall is closing on Monday, June 5.
“After a careful review of our business, we will be closing the Belk store in Selma, Ala. on Monday, June 5,” Jessica Rohlik, Senior Manager of public relations for Belk, told the outlet. “We are grateful for the contributions of our Selma associates and are providing them with support during the transition, including the opportunity to interview for a position at another Belk store.”
Roblik added that the store served the area for over 18 years, and that shoppers can take advantage of a storewide sale, where everything will be 60 percent off. The closing sale kicked off yesterday "as a way to express our appreciation," Rohlik said.
Best Life reached out to Belk for comment, and will update the story upon hearing back.
Belk is also opening new stores.
Africa Studio / ShutterstockWhile Selma shoppers may be sad to see their longstanding Belk store depart, the retailer continues to expand its store footprint. In a May 18 press release, the retailer confirmed that 10 Belk Outlet locations were set to open this month, including six stores opening today, May 23.
"Belk Outlets include discounted items that come directly from larger Belk stores, meaning customers will have access to a wide range of items, including high-end and designer brands that these locations may not have carried in the past," the press release reads.
The 10 new stores bring the total Belk Outlet count up to 16, with the retailer noting that existing stores received a positive response from shoppers.
