Once the Kmart in Avenel, New Jersey, shutters, the number of Kmarts in the U.S. -- once well over 2,000 – will be down to three last holdouts. In its heyday, Kmart sold product lines endorsed by celebrities Martha Stewart and Jaclyn Smith, sponsored NASCAR auto races and was mentioned in movies like 'Beetlejuice.'
Many of the shelves are bare, though, at the Kmart in Avenel, New Jersey, picked over by bargain hunters as the store prepares to close its doors for good April 16.
The chain cemented a place in American culture with its Blue Light Specials, a flashing blue orb affixed to a pole that would beckon shoppers to a flash sale in progress. Part of its success was due to its early adoption of layaway programs, which allowed customers who lacked credit to reserve items and pay for them in installments.
Struggling to compete with Walmart’s low prices and Target’s trendier offerings, Kmart filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in early 2002 — becoming the largest U.S. retailer to take that step — and announced it would close more than 250 stores. Signs advertise clearance sales inside a Kmart December 21, 2000 in Manhattan. Holiday sales were flat this year, prompting retailers to hope the final weekend before Christmas brings life to stagnant sales.
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