Consumer
Knowledge
Knowledge
Kmart is large discount department store chain with operations in the US and beyond. Kmart is a subsidiary of Sears Holdings Company along with the Sears family of stores.
Sears Holdings operates a total of 1,382 Kmart stores across 49 states, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. This store count includes1,327 discount stores, averaging 92,000 square feet, and 55 Super Centers, averaging 165,000 square feet. Most Kmart stores are one-floor, free-standing units that carry a wide assortment of general merchandise, including products sold under such well-known labels as Jaclyn Smith and Joe Boxer, and certain proprietary Sears brand products (such as Kenmore, Craftsman, and DieHard brand products) and services.
There are 1,063 Kmart stores which also operate in-store pharmacies. The Super Centers generally operate 24-hours a day and combine a full-service grocery along with the general merchandise selection of a discount store. There are also 20 Sears Auto Centers operating in Kmart stores, including 11 which opened in 2007.
Kmart also offers its merchandise online at www.kmart.com.
Despite the bleak reputation of the Kmart brand, the store and its website offer several features that are popular among shoppers.
Deal Zone - This is Kmart.com's version of the bargain bin. Here you will find all of the available clearance items, and some rather impressive prices from time to time.
Return Policy - With valid receipt, returns are a breeze at Kmart. Online purchases can be returned to retail stores or packed in original packaging and shipped to the return center. Credits are typically issued within the same billing cycle.
Product Selection - Kmart offers a competitve selection on common brand name appliances, home furnishings, supplies, groceries and more. The website offers even more items and includes some of its Sears lines such as Craftsman Tools.
Mobile App - Kmart does offer mobile online shopping through its mobile application which can be found on the Android Market or iTunes Store.
Kmart has struggled to compete with its rivals over the past 10-15 years, suffering staggering losses and closing stores across the country. Discount department store powerhouse Wal-Mart has caused the most damage, with Target gaining market share slowly each year.
Wal-Mart is hands down the leader in this contest. Wal-Mart is said to have single handedly controlled inflation over the last decade plus. Target has experienced rapid growth in recent years thanks to an overhaul of the company as a whole.
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Wal-Mart
Walmart serves customers and members more than 200 million times per week at more than 8,838 retail units under 55 different banners in 15 countries. With fiscal year 2010 sales of $405 billion, Walmart employs 2.1 million associates worldwide.
Walmart is currently ranked number two on the FORTUNE 500. It also remains on FORTUNE’s “Most Admired Companies” list after having been recognized as the “Most Admired Company in America” in both 2003 and 2004.
Forbes has also named Walmart the number one most generous company overall in terms of cash contributions to nonprofits. Walmart ranked first among retailers in Fortune Magazine’s 2010 Most Admired Companies survey and in 2010 was the world's largest public corporation by revenue, according to the Forbes Global 2000.
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Target
Target operates nearly 1,750 stores in 49 states, including more than 240 SuperTarget® stores that include an upscale grocery shopping experience. In addition to the photo processing centers, pharmacies and Food Avenue® restaurants found in almost every Target, SuperTarget stores include in-store bakery, deli, meat and produce sections.
Forbes magazine named Target one of “America’s Most Popular Stores,” citing the latest findings by the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) – 2009
Fortune magazine ranked Target 19th of 363 companies on their list of the “World’s Most Admired Companies” – 2009
Kmart may be most suitable for the online shopper. The Kmart website seems to be more appealing to shoppers than its retail stores for various reasons including product selection, weekly ads and prompt shipping service.
"Since I live 30 minutes from Kmart I depend on kmart.com to read the weekly ad so I can plan my trips. It's great that they have integrated Sears and Kmart online so that if Kmart.com doesn't have an item it suggests a similar item from Sears.com. I also appreciate the fact that they have special sales and shipping online - such as free shipping and after-hours sales. It's always interesting to see what they are going to be offering up next." rstinnett (Booneville, MO) Viewpoints Reviews
"I recently made a purchase order with Kmart and I was impressed with this stores timely delivery. I received all my items and the quality of the merchandise was exceptional. I love the idea of the online layaway option and because of it, I will be making many more purchases. This is the first time I ever heard about this opportunity. I would love it if all the other online stores provided this option." jayflo (Bronx, NY) Viewpoints Reviewers
Kmart offers three different styles and sizes of retail outlets for shoppers, the Big Kmart, the Kmart Super Center and the Traditional stores.
Big Kmart - Big Kmart signals a different kind of Kmart. These stores are bigger, brighter and offer big savings, big value, big selection and big convenience.
Kmart Super Centers - Kmart Super Centers are combination full-service grocery and general merchandise stores. Most Kmart Super Centers operate 24-hours a day and offer special services.
Traditional Kmart Stores - The traditional Kmart store is the one most people recognize.
The Bottom Line
Kmart is a company in decline, closing multiple stores each year, with no improvement in sight. The website is the only real positive about the Kmart experience, allowing shoppers to make purchases without having to go to one of the retail stores. Based on my own personal experiences with the Kmart retail stores in my area, I would definately recommend online shopping when choosing Kmart. The stores here are very cluttered, disorganized and mismanaged. Two years ago I made the mistake of going into a Kmart store in search of a hard to find Christmas gift for my Father. I hadn't been in this particular store since I was a child, about 20 years prior, when my mother visited the store frequently, and before the Walmart explosion. I was shocked to see what this store had become. Products crammed on shelves in no particular order, no pricing information, barren walls and tons of empty shelves.
I left and have not returned, and most likely never will. It's truly unfortunate because it is the last remaining Kmart store in our city and surrounding area.
Meanwhile across town, Wal-Mart just opened its 8th SuperCenter in our area, and Target has four bustling new stores here as well.
