Sears Essentials Rolling Out

HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL-Sears, Roebuck and Co., in the midst of a merger with Kmart, is rolling out a new store format called Sears Essentials. The first 25 units will open in the spring and are conversions of some of the 56 off-mall Kmart stores and Wal-Mart leases that Sears acquired last year for $575.9 million.

The company’s off-mall push began in 2003, when it opened its first Sears Grand, one-level stand-alone stores that sell appliances and home goods the chain’s mall stores are known for, as well as dry grocery items. There are now four Sears Grands in operation in Gurnee, IL; Las Vegas; Rancho Cucamonga, CA; and West Jordan, UT. Five more are set to open in the fall.

“Sears Essentials will lead the way as we embark on the most aggressive growth initiative in company history,” says Sears Chairman and CEO, Alan Lacy, in a prepared statement. “This new store format enables Sears to grow its brand off-mall and better meet the everyday needs of our customers.”