Kmarts

Kmarts are a family of discount department stores that historically operated primarily in the United States. The Kmart concept was created in the 1960s by S. S. Kresge Company as a large, low-price format offering a wide assortment of general merchandise in a warehouse-style setting. The stores were known for aggressive discounting, emphasis on private-label products (such as Big K) and promotional events like the Blue Light Special.

Kmart grew through the 1970s and 1980s, competing with other mass merchants such as Walmart and Target. In 2005, Kmart merged with Sears, Roebuck and Co. to form Sears Holdings Corporation, creating one of the largest U.S. retailers at the time. The broader company faced financial difficulties and filed for bankruptcy in 2018. In 2019, Transform Holdco LLC acquired the Sears and Kmart assets, continuing to operate a shrinking footprint of stores under the Kmart and Sears brands while closing many locations.

Today, Kmart exists primarily in the United States as a much smaller chain than at its peak. The brand has continued to be associated with deep discounts, generic house brands, and a legacy of large-format discount retail. Internationally, the Kmart brand has appeared in other markets under separate ownership, most notably Kmart Australia, which operates independently of the U.S. chain.