For those who believe this is strictly a Sears issue, wake up. Retail is dying a slow death of thousands cuts, and there is no stopping it. It's only matter of time before the whole sector collapses.
Smart ones are already looking for a new job in a new industry.
https://clark.com/shopping-retail/major-retailers-closing-2018/
The "retail apocalypse" makes for catchy news headlines but the situation isn't so simple. The extreme level of competition and easy access to information on the internet has made retail a difficult business. But in no way is the industry dying overall. The internet has been around for 20+ years and 90% of total retail sales still go through brick and mortar stores. Smart retailers who listen to the customers and invest in their businesses are still growing and have a future. It's the stuck in the past, no investment in stores, poor customer service retailers that are dying all around.
Sears Holdings is certainly doomed. The company refuses to make any significant investment in the business and completely ignores what customers actually want, instead providing a mediocre reward program with overall lousy customer service. It's a strategy based on the Eddie Lampert fantasy of a low expense high profit business. He's letting the company fall apart while babbling about "transformation". His deluded approach to the business has no chance of success. And he can't be fired since he controls half the stock shares. Failure of Sears/Kmart retail is just a matter of time.
Certainly Sears Holdings employees should get out while they can, but they don't necessarily have to leave the industry. There are still growing companies with a future. Sears Holdings just isn't one of them.
Retail will always be there. People are social animals. They like human contact. Sure its cheaper online but there will always be retail stores. Mansgement at Sears has been saying all retailers are having problems for the past few years. Not true. Most other retailers are still innthe black. Sears has seen nothing but red ink since 2010. You sound like one of the morning meeting cheerleaders. More excuses for bad business decisions by Sears.
The retail sector is weaker than it was say 40 years ago but its not dying. Saying that all retail is dying is the excuse that some sears and Kmart associates and managers use.
@OP - "Retail is dying a slow death of thousands cuts, and there is no stopping it. It's only matter of time before the whole sector collapses." Maybe that's true for SHLD, but it's a whole different story for Dollar General.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/dollar-general-is-defying-the-retail-apocalypse-and-opening-900-stores-—-heres-what-its-like-to-shop-there/ss-BBJhIza?li=BBnbfcN
Edit: In the meantime I've working my @ss to the bone sticking around with co-workers who need me there in a store that is closing instead of just walking out on them. So eff off.
@2dxb You an idiot or something?
I assume just a dumb con that prob hears "resources" and thinks "Omg MY money!", huh?
The unemployment office in my state can supposedly help people seek/access training and whatnot that can help them change careers. God forbid someone want out of retail and not have to change jobs once again in a few more years... So way to make an assuming @ss of yourself.
@1qgk makes sense. Why work as a contributing member of society for 4 or 5 years when you can s--- off the government teat.
Look to transition into a different industry. Everybody has skills that transfer to positions outside of retail. Take a chance on yourself and apply to those businesses. I have found a place that is entry level with the option of working my way up. Whether I stay or go, I will have gained experience that will help me find a position outside of the retail sector.
Why I might look into the resources via the local unemployment office once mine is closed. I don't feel like I even trust to continue in retail (and certainly not the suggestion to transfer to another Sears!) if I can get out. Already lost a job at Penneys in 2012 when they were trying to die the first time, and now this. Don't feel like anywhere is safe to go in retail and don't want to just keep jumping to the next dying place. :(
"Just on CNN a few minutes ago. They are reporting that Sears is shifting direction, related to store closures and employ lay offs. Ending store closings for the rest of 2018 and announcing employee wage hikes, in the order of 25-50%, to stay competitive with other retail stores."
Now THAT'S funny!
Sears can't even pay their suppliers and you believe they're going to hike pay of employees?
Oh and BTW, welcome to the era of lies and more lies, especially from the mainstream media and corporations. Yes, the world has changed, here's your cup of Java.
If this is true than SHc has been lying to us for years. they have told us that the transformation is closing unprofitable stores. At least 70% of the remaining stores are unprofitable. So you are telling me that the unprofitable store will reamine open and continue to lose money? So the transformation is a lie and they are not transforming but closing?
Fake news. Where is SHC going to get the money for wage hikes? Where is SHC going to get the money to pay thousands of employees even .10 more an hour? The only wage hikes might come to the corporate suits that have ruined this company.
Just on CNN a few minutes ago. They are reporting that Sears is shifting direction, related to store closures and employ lay offs. Ending store closings for the rest of 2018 and announcing employee wage hikes, in the order of 25-50%, to stay competitive with other retail stores.