Sears Outlet
 | |
| Industry | Retail |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Hoffman Estates, Illinois |
Number of locations | 143 |
| Revenue | $610 million |
| Parent | Sears Hometown & Outlet Stores |
| Website |
www |
Sears Outlet is an outlet store that sells new, reconditioned, overstock, scratch & dented, and discontinued products[1] online and through brick and mortar stores in the USA and Puerto Rico. Each store, on average, is larger than 18,000 square feet in size.[2] Sears Outlet’s product range includes refrigerators, washers & dryers, ovens, air conditioners, home appliances, lawn and garden equipment, apparel, sporting goods, tools, household goods, and consumer electronics.[3][4]
Sears Outlet is a segment of Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores.[5]
History
In 1968, Sears opened a surplus store in Kansas City.[6] This was the first of its kind operated by the Sears brand. The purpose of this store was to be able to liquidate returned items. Sears continued to open Surplus stores throughout the USA until 1993.
In 1994, the surplus stores were renamed to Sears Outlet.[6]
In 1995, Sears Outlet restructured in order to manage repairs and product distribution from a centralized location. To do this, they established a series of facilities known as Outlet Repair and Distribution Centers. In 2015, there were 22 of these centers in operation.
In 2008, Apparel was introduced to Sears Outlet stores and served as a liquidation outlet for Lands' End.
In 2009, SearsOutlet.com was launched as an e-commerce platform allowing customers to purchase items online and in 2011, nationwide delivery was offered.
In 2012, Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores was spun off from Sears Holdings.[7][8] At the time of the separation, there were 122 Sears Outlet Stores in operation.[9][10]
As of February 1, 2014, Sears Outlet stores have expanded its operations to 143 locations.[11]
Operations
As of February 1, 2014, the majority of Sears Outlet stores are company-operated (115) and 28 Sears Outlet stores are locally owned and operated by franchisees.[12] Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores initiated a program to franchise Sears Outlet stores in 2012. In 2013, home appliances made up 78% of Sears Outlet's sales revenue and total revenue from Sears Outlet stores was $610 million.[12]
Community Work
In 2013, Sears Outlet partnered with the National Volunteer Fire Council to raise money for local fire departments.[13] In 2014, Sears Outlet partnered with the Make-A-Wish Foundation to support children with life-threatening conditions.[14]
References
- ↑ "Worth noting in business: Sears Outlet store opens on White Lane". 2014-02-10. Retrieved 2014-11-19.
- ↑ "New Sears Outlet Store Opens in Queens Village". 2015-05-26. Retrieved 2015-06-03.
- ↑ Joseph S. Pete (2014-04-15). "New owners buy Sears Outlet Store in Portage". Retrieved 2014-11-19.
- ↑ Damon Scott (2014-01-30). "Sears Outlet store coming to ABQ’s Westside". Retrieved 2014-11-19.
- ↑ "SHOS Profile". 2014-11-19. Retrieved 2014-11-19.
- 1 2 "Sears Hometown And Outlet Stores Inc Works With Yotpo To Help Customers’ Decision-Making Process". Retrieved 2015-09-08.
- ↑ "Sears To Spin Off Hometown, Outlet Stores Into Separate Company". 2012-08-14. Retrieved 2014-11-19.
- ↑ "Sears files to spin off Hometown, Outlet stores". 2012-08-13. Retrieved 2014-11-19.
- ↑ Jennifer Booton (2012-08-13). "Sears' Hometown Stores to File for IPO". Retrieved 2014-11-19.
- ↑ Corilyn Shropshire (2012-09-08). "Sears to spin off Hometown, Outlet stores Tuesday". Retrieved 2014-11-19.
- ↑ "Retail Therapy: Sears Outlet store coming to Fayetteville". 2014-07-11. Retrieved 2014-11-19.
- 1 2 "Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores, INC.". 2014-02-01. Retrieved 2014-11-19.
- ↑ "Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores, Inc. Launches "Salute to Local Heroes" Charity Campaign to Support First Responders". 2013-11-22. Retrieved 2015-06-02.
- ↑ "Sears Hometown and Outlet Store Formats Partner With Make-A-Wish". 2014-11-21. Retrieved 2015-06-02.