Transformco, owned by investor Eddie Lampert, owns Sears as of 2026
Who bought out Sears and Kmart?
Back in 2004, Kmart made a massive $11 billion purchase of Sears. That November deal created Sears Holdings Corporation, which combined Kmart’s 1,500+ stores with Sears’ 870+ locations. By March 2005, the merger was complete—at the time, it made the new company the third-largest retailer in the U.S. Honestly, this was a huge shake-up in the retail world.
Who currently owns Sears?
Transformco, led by investor Eddie Lampert, has owned Sears since February 2019
Transformco stepped in and picked up Sears and Kmart out of bankruptcy in early 2019. Fast forward to 2026, and Transformco still runs the few remaining Sears and Kmart stores through licensing deals. The company also holds onto brands like Kenmore and DieHard—though most people don’t realize those aren’t just Sears exclusives anymore.
Who bought Sears 2020?
Transformco retained ownership of Sears after the 2019 bankruptcy acquisition
Transformco finalized its purchase of Sears’ assets in February 2019. By 2020, it was operating 182 stores while shutting down the worst performers. That deal also came with licensing rights for Kenmore and Craftsman—two brands that used to be Sears staples.
Are Sears and Kmart the same company?
Yes, Sears and Kmart are operated by the same parent company, Transformco
These two brands merged way back in 2005 under Sears Holdings Corporation. Now, Transformco runs both, but they’re kept separate with their own store layouts and product lines. You won’t find Kmart’s blue-and-red logo on a Sears store shelf, for example.
How many Sears locations are left?
As of 2026, there are approximately 25 Sears stores remaining
Sears has been closing locations left and right since 2018. Most of those closures happened between 2018 and 2020, leaving just a handful behind. The remaining stores are mostly in big cities, with some operating as Sears Hometown or Sears Outlet locations.
Is Sears going out of business 2020?
Sears exited bankruptcy in 2019 under Transformco ownership; it did not fully cease operations in 2020
Sears Holdings filed for Chapter 11 in October 2018 and popped back out in February 2019 under Transformco. While they closed hundreds of stores, they didn’t vanish completely—just shrank down to a skeleton crew of locations.
Is JCPenney going out of business?
JCPenney filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in May 2020 but emerged in December 2021 after restructuring
JCPenney filed for bankruptcy in May 2020 and closed about 30% of its stores over the next year and a half. But it didn’t die—it came back in December 2021 under new owners Simon Property Group and Brookfield Asset Management. As of 2026, it’s still hanging on with around 600 stores.
How many Sears and Kmart stores are left?
As of 2026, there are about 25 Sears and 15 Kmart stores remaining
Most of the closures happened between 2018 and 2021. Kmart’s decline has been brutal—it went from over 2,000 stores in 2003 to barely a dozen today. The few that remain are mostly in big markets like Chicago, Detroit, and New York.
How many Kmarts are left?
As of 2026, approximately 15 Kmart stores remain open
Kmart used to dominate with over 2,000 stores in its prime. Now? Just a handful survive, mostly in major cities where they serve niche markets or corporate-sponsored spots. The brand’s glory days are long gone.
Did Kenmore go out of business?
Kenmore did not go out of business; Sears still sells Kenmore products under licensing agreements
Kenmore got caught up in Sears’ 2018 bankruptcy but lived to tell the tale under Transformco. The brand still makes appliances, though now it partners with third parties like LG and Whirlpool instead of doing everything in-house.
What is Sears new name?
Sears Outlet rebranded to American Freight in 2021, though some stores retain the Sears name
Transformco renamed 40 Sears Outlet locations to American Freight in 2021. The rest still fly the Sears flag or operate as Sears Hometown, a franchise model that keeps the brand alive in smaller markets.
What killed Sears?
Poor retail strategy, heavy debt, and competition from Amazon and Walmart contributed to Sears' decline
Eddie Lampert’s time as CEO (2013–2019) focused more on cutting costs than innovating. That left Sears struggling to keep up with Amazon and Walmart. Throw in massive debt and a failure to adapt to online shopping, and you’ve got a recipe for retail disaster.
How many Kmart stores are still open 2021?
As of 2021, there were about 16 Kmart stores remaining; as of 2026, fewer than 15 remain
Kmart’s store count dropped from over 2,100 in 2003 to under 20 by 2021. The few that survived are mostly in big cities, serving niche markets or acting as corporate-sponsored holdouts. Today, the number’s even smaller.
Is Kenmore owned by Sears?
Kenmore is owned by Transformco, the parent company of Sears, under licensing agreements
Kenmore used to be a Sears-exclusive brand, but now it’s licensed to third-party manufacturers. Transformco still owns the brand name and all the intellectual property—just not the factories.
Who owns Craftsman tools now?
Sears sold Craftsman to Stanley Black & Decker for $900 million in January 2017. The brand still makes tools for retail and pro markets, and some Sears stores even sell Craftsman-branded tools under license.
