Employees at Kmart in Plymouth were informed late last week that the store will close in mid-April. Approximately 70 employees will be affected. The store is expected to start liquidating remaining inventory next week.

Sears Holdings Corp. has been closing “underperforming” Kmart and Sears stores across the country for the last five years. Numbers have dwindled from more than 3,500 stores to roughly 1,800 nationwide.

“Store closures are part of a series of actions we’re taking to reduce ongoing expenses, adjust our asset base and accelerate the transformation of our business model,” said Sears Holdings director of corporate communications Howard Riefs in an email.

No other area Kmart or Sears stores have been named for closing at this time. Associates from the Plymouth store will have the opportunity to apply for open positions at other stores.

The storefront has already been listed for lease and local leaders hope to be able to replace Kmart with other retail options. The shopping center is currently home to several other stores including J.C. Penney, Jo-Ann Fabrics and Tractor Supply Co.

Customers who have layaway contracts with Kmart have two options: either pay off the contract early or transfer it to another store or online.

Source: South Bend Tribune