Sears’ loss widens as sales soften at Kmart, Sears

Hoffman Estates, Ill. -- Sears Holdings widened its loss in the third quarter as sales decreased at both its Sears and Kmart units.



For the three months ended Nov. 2, Sears lost $534 million, down from a loss of $498 million a year earlier.



Revenue fell 7% to $8.27 billion from $8.86 billion mostly because it had fewer Sears and Kmart stores operating.



Same-store sales dropped 3.1%, and were down 4% at Sears' stores and declined 2.1% at Kmart stores.



The retailer is in the midst of trying to transform its business, with less emphasis on brick-and-mortar stores. The chain is playing up its Shop Your Way Loyalty (SWY) program, with enhanced membership benefits. Sears is also working on developing digital and social relationships with members.



"We are transitioning from a business that has historically focused on running a store network into a business that provides and delivers value by serving its members in the manner most convenient for them: whether in store, in home or through digital devices," said Edward S. Lampert, Sears Holdings' chairman and CEO. "We are driving this transformation by investing in capabilities to enable members access to the broadest possible assortment of products and services, enhancing our membership benefits associated with SYW, developing digital and social relationships with our members, using data and analytics to make targeted offers and decisions delivered in real time and expanding our reach through Marketplace and delivery options."