Two More Saint Louis-Area Sears On The Chopping Block

ST. LOUIS, MO — After announcing the closing of more than 100 stores earlier this year, struggling retailer Sears will close another 72 of its Sears and Kmart locations. The company made the announcement Thursday morning, saying it identified 100 stores as non-profitable.

"As part of our ongoing efforts to streamline the Company's operations and focus on our Best Stores, we have identified approximately 100 non-profitable stores, 72 of which will begin store closing sales in the near future," the Hoffman Estates-based company said in a statement. "We continue to evaluate our network of stores, which are a critical component in our transformation, and will make further adjustments as needed and as warranted."

These are the Missouri Sears set to close, with liquidation sales set to begin as early as June 14:

• 250 S. County Center Way — St. Louis
• #1 Chesterfield Mall — Chesterfield

The two St. Louis-area Sears stores are set to close by the end of June.

"The company on Thursday, May 31 informed associates at 15 Kmart stores and 48 Sears stores that we will be closing these stores in early September 2018," Sears said in a news release. "Eligible associates impacted by these store closures will receive severance and will have the opportunity to apply for open positions at area Kmart or Sears stores."

Other Missouri stores may also close, as the list posted Thursday is not complete: "A small group of stores was pulled from the closing list of 72 stores on May 31 as they are being evaluated further," Sears said.

In January, Sears announced it was laying off 220 employees at its Illinois headquarters.

Sears reported a net loss of $424 million during the first quarter of 2018. During the first quarter last year, Sears saw earnings of $245 million, due in part to a $492 million gain related to the sale of the Craftsman brand.

"In a challenging quarter, we continued to focus on our strategic transformation, identifying additional opportunities to streamline operations and adjust inventory and operating expenses while staying focused on our Best Members, Best Categories and Best Stores," Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Holdings Edward S. Lampert said in a statement.

Check back with Patch for a list of store closings.

Shannon Antinori/Patch national staff contributed to this reporting.

Photo: Signs advertise the closing of a Sears store on May 3, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. The store, which opened in 1938, is the city's last remaining Sears store. Sears opened its first retail store in Chicago in 1925. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)