Sears, Roebuck and Company, commonly called Sears, is an American retail enterprise that began as a late 19th‑century mail-order business and expanded into a nationwide store network. For many decades it combined a popular catalog with brick-and-mortar department stores and a range of services, making it one of the best-known names in U.S. retail.

Characteristics and brands

Sears developed a broad merchandise mix and several enduring private labels. Among the best-known names associated with the firm are Kenmore (appliances), Craftsman (hand and power tools) and DieHard (automotive batteries). Beyond merchandise, Sears provided credit, repair and installation services and operated distribution and catalog systems that reached rural areas.

History and development

The company grew from catalog roots into physical department stores during the early 20th century. Over the course of the 20th century Sears became the country’s largest retailer; that position eroded as discount chains and new retail formats expanded. Notably, Walmart surpassed Sears in total sales in October 1989 (Walmart).

Store footprint and international operations

In recent years Sears operated roughly 600 retail locations in the United States. The chain exited the Canadian market when it closed all 140 of its Canadian stores in 2017 (Canada). Its Mexican outlets have been managed by Grupo Carso since the late 1990s (Mexico), while its domestic identity continued to shift amid closures and asset sales. Sears is commonly identified as a national department store brand in historical accounts of American retail.

Decline and restructuring

Changing consumer preferences, intensifying price competition, growth of big-box and online rivals, and strategic and financial challenges contributed to a long period of contraction. Sears filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on October 15, 2018 and moved to sell assets, close many stores and restructure operations.

Legacy and notable facts

  • The Sears catalog played a significant role in expanding retail access to rural regions during much of the 20th century.
  • Sears commissioned Chicago’s Sears Tower (later renamed Willis Tower), a major architectural landmark.
  • Several of the company’s private-label brands remain familiar and have been licensed or sold, reflecting Sears’ lasting imprint on consumer product naming and distribution.