Tag Archives: debt

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? Sears Canada disapoints with lower than expected profits!

27 February 2013/16 Raby’ ath-Thani 1434/09 Esfand 1391

More proof the main streamers were lying about the “increased” holiday sales. Today, Sears CAnada reported that their 2012 4th Quarter (which ended for Sears CA on 02 February 2013) holiday profits were down 5% from 4th Q 2011 (which ended on 28 January 2012).  Notice that 4th Q 2012 had 14 weeks compared to 4th Q 2011 which had 13 weeks.  Same store sales were down 3.8%.

Despite the fact that 4th Q 2012 had one more week in it Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA) was $62.4 million CAD (CAnadian Dollar). Now realize that the EBITDA for the 13 week 4th Q 2011 was $101.8 million.  That a $39.4 million drop in 2012!

It turns out that Sears CA claimed profits mainly because of voluntary buyouts of “post-retirement benefits” and the sale of a joint venture, it had nothing to do with selling products on their store shelves.

For the whole year Sears CA had a 6.9% drop in revenue, most of that because of same store sales declinations. Calvin McDonald, President and Chief Executive Officer, said most of the lack of sales were in their premiere brands like Crafstman, and other hardware, electronics and even appliances. Amazingly Sears CA had increased sales in clothing!

In the United States, Sears Holdings is expected to make public their 2012 results on 28 February 2013.

 

Business/Economics, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? Michigan losing another Kmart! More signs that Sears is done!

“I see the situation just continuing to get worse. What are we doing to keep the jobs here?”-Tammy LaBouef, Gaylord resident bemoaning the continued job losses

26 February 2013/15 Raby’ ath-Thani 1434/08 Esfand 1391

Only now is the news being reported in the media, but it was revealed last week: The Kmart in Gaylord, Michigan, will be shut down by May.  48 people out-o-work.

A recent Consumers Affairs survey showed that 86% of customers are not happy with Sears’ customer service: “Right now, it’s easier to steal something from Sears than to buy something. The lack of customer service is putting Sears in big trouble.”-Grant Cardone, customer service analyst

Sears also reported a $3.1 billion USD loss for 2012!

Here’s what one investment analyst recently said about Sears Holdings: “…this is perhaps the most overbought and oversubscribed stock in the market and I see no recovery anytime soon. One of the biggest problems facing Sears in my opinion is the simple lack of need for the company to exist…..Sears is working on its sixth straight year of declining revenue. By comparison, its competitors have gained healthy ground.”-Wall Street Artist

Here’s my updated list of store closings since the end of 2011:

Arizona: Scottsdale Sears/Great Indoors, Chandler Sears/Great Indoors.

Alabama: Gadsden Kmart (50 jobs lost), Mobile Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Auburn Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Anniston Kmart (no word yet on how many jobs lost).

California:   El Monte Sears (at least 40 jobs lost. Damien Arrula, El Monte’s economic development director, said the store manager had lied about what was going on: “The general manager of the store had just indicated to me that they were remodeling.”), two San Diego Sears (at least 80 jobs lost), Pleasant Hill Kmart (more than 50 jobs lost).

Colorado:  Broomfield Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Glenwood Springs Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Lone Tree Sears/Great Indoors, Longmont Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Pueblos’ South Side Kmart (52 jobs lost),  Denver Kmart (number of jobs lost have not been made public at this time, but could be at least 40).

Georgia: Macon Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Buford Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Douglasville Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Atlanta Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Columbus Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Jonesboro Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Cartersville Kmart (74 jobs lost).

Guam:  Sears Hometown Store.

Florida: Fernandina Beach Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Callaway Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Orange City Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost),  Deland Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Stuart Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), West Palm Beach Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Port St. Lucie Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Crystal River Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), New Smyrna Beach Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Saint Augustine Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Pompano Beach Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost),  Jacksonville Kmart on 5751 Beach Boulevard (71 jobs lost), second Kmart in Jacksonville on 4645 Blanding Boulevard (83 jobs lost), Ocoee Sears (102 jobs lost), Pensacola Kmart on Airport Boulevard closed in 2011, Pensacola Kmart on Mobile Highway closed in February 2013 (69 jobs lost),  Pensacola Kmart on East 9 Mile Road will close in May (73 jobs lost), Hialeah Kmart (67 jobs lost).

Hawaii: Honolulu Sears (owned by GGP, 372 jobs lost!!!).

Idaho: Lewiston Sears (at least 60 jobs lost).

Indiana:  Anderson Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Saint John Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Indianapolis Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost).

Illinois:  Alton Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Melrose Park Sears parts and repair center (50 jobs lost), Zion Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Oak Lawn Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), McHenry Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Peru Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Lombard Sears/Great Indoors (at least 40 jobs lost), Fairview Heights Kmart (81 jobs lost), Freeport Kmart (45 jobs lost), Pontiac Kmart (more than 47 jobs lost), Homer Glen Kmart (82 jobs lost), Streator Kmart (45 jobs lost), Lombard Kmart (70 jobs lost).  Naperville Kmart (98 jobs lost). By the way, Illinois elected officials gave Sears Holdings/Hoffman Estates a $150 million USD tax break to keep their headquarters in the state.  The tax break was not tied to any promise not to close stores.

Iowa:  Cedar Rapids Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Davenport Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Burlington Kmart (50 jobs lost), Coralville Sears (94 jobs lost, this is a store sold to GGP earlier in the year).

Kansas: Lawrence Sears (at least 40 jobs lost).

Kentucky: Middlesboro Sears (in September 2012 the Sears store re-opened under independent ownership, official grand re-opening scheduled for November), Winchester Kmart (back in May, Rankin Paynter bought out what was left of the inventory and gave it to charity), Hazard Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost).

Maine: Lewiston Sears (60 to 70 jobs lost).

Maryland: Ellicott Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Gaithersburg Sears/Great Indoors.

Michigan: Novi Sears/Great Indoors, Brighton Sears Grand/Essentials,  Harper Woods Sears Full line, Monroe Sears Full line, Adrian Sears Full line, Washington Township Kmart, Chesterfield Kmart, Woodhaven Kmart, Flint Kmart (46 jobs lost), recently revealed Gaylord Kmart (48 jobs lost).

Minnesota: Willmar Kmart, Duluth Kmart, New Hope Kmart, White Bear Lake Kmart.

Mississippi: Jackson Sears Full line, McComb Sears Full line, Columbus Sears Full line.

Missouri: Lee’s Summit Sears Grand/Essentials, Saint Louis Sears Full line.

Montana: Missoula Kmart (50 jobs lost).

New Hampshire: Nashau Sears Grand/Essentials, Keene Sears Grand/Essentials.

North Carolina: High Point Sears, Moorehead Sears, Rocky Mount Sears, Statesville Sears, Durham Kmart (79 jobs lost), Asheville Kmart (53 jobs lost),  West Smithfield Kmart (59 jobs lost), Winston-Salem Kmart (69 jobs lost), Hendersonville Kmart (58 jobs lost).

New Jersey:  Lawnside Kmart (about 80 jobs lost).

New Mexico: Las Cruces Kmart (58 jobs lost).

New York: Depew Kmart (68 jobs lost).

Ohio: Chagrin Falls Kmart, Springfield Kmart, two Toledo Kmarts, Medina Kmart, Columbus Kmart, Columbus Sears/Great Indoors, Zanesville Sears (67 jobs lost), Trotwood Kmart (71 jobs lost).   Also, Van Wert Sears franchise bought out by Kirk Berryman, owner of Computer & Networking Technologies (CNT), who plans on moving the store to a new location.

Oklahoma: Oklahoma City Sears (98 jobs lost, GGP owned, GGP wants a $2 million sales tax rebate, claiming it’s needed to offset capital investments needed to bring the space up to the standards for potential new tenants).

Oregon: Roseburg Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Tualatin Kmart Center (new property owner from California is tearing everything down for new shopping center, so far no indication the Kmart will be part of the new shopping center), Milwaukie Kmart (61 jobs lost).

Pennsylvania: Upper Darby Sears Full line, Pottstown Sears Full line, Pittsburgh Kmart, Wilkins Sears, Warminster Kmart (85 jobs lost).

South Carolina: Sumter Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Orangeburg Sears (57 jobs lost), Columbia Kmart on Fort Jackson Boulevard in 2012, Columbia Kmart on Bush River Road in 2009, Columbia Kmart on St Andrews Road (66 jobs lost), Irmo Kmart (no info on how many jobs lost),  one of two Greenville Kmarts (74 jobs lost).

Tennessee: Antioch Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Cleveland Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Oak Ridge Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Hendersonville Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Morristown Sears (about 70 jobs lost).

Texas: Two Sears parts and repair centers closing in The Woodlands (117 jobs lost), rebuild center in Garland (58 jobs lost), Farmers Branch Sears/Great Indoors, Houston Sears Great/Indoors.

Virginia: Norfolk Sears (at least 40 jobs lost),  Midlothian Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Richmond Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Lynchburg Sears (84 jobs lost).

Washington: Walla Walla Sears Full line (in August 2012, it was reported that an independent owner of Sears Hometown stores will open a store in Walla Walla), Lacey Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Kelso Sears (47 jobs lost), Lakewood Kmart (59 jobs lost), Bellingham Sears (92 jobs lost),  Seattle Kmart (85 jobs lost).

West Virginia: Oak Hill Kmart (59 jobs lost).

Wisconsin: West Baraboo Sears (at least 40 jobs lost, local village officials say the store generated 3% of local tax collections), Rice Lake Kmart (about 71 jobs lost).

On top of that, Sears Holdings sold stores to General Growth Properties (GGP), of which it has been reported that most of those stores will be closed.

Here’s the list of 11 Sears stores now owned by GGP:

Iowa: Coral Ridge Mall (it’s official the Sears is closing, see above), and Mall of the Bluffs

Texas: The Woodlands Mall (this does not involve the two repair centers being closed by Sears)

Florida: West Oaks Mall

Utah: Fashion Place, and Provo Towne Centre (note the evil British empire way of spelling town & center. Due to a favorable lease agreement the GGP owned Provo Sears will continue to stay open under Sears Holdings management)

Oklahoma: Quail Springs Mall (it’s official, the Sears will be closed, see above)

Hawaii: Ala Moana Center (will be closed, see above)

Washington: Bellis Fair Mall (Bellingham store, see above)

Minnesota: Apache Mall

Illinois: Market Place Shopping Center

Business/Economics, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? List of U.S. job losses & store closings for 31 January 2013. No more Beer? Executive kills self because of bad economy! No more persrciption drugs? No more Coke? More reasons to “Cill My Landlord”!

In Wisconsin, Bentley World Packaging lost a major contract to operate a warehouse.  97 people out-o-work by the end of March.  Also, Coca-Cola announced its closing down its Sheboygan factory. 40 people out-o-work by the end of March.  The soda-pop maker did not give a reason why!

In Michigan, the Ferndale Schools Board of Education agreed to lay off two teachers, reduce one to part time, and use up the district’s rainy day fund.  They blame declining student enrollment.

Children’s clothing store, Little Colony Kids, out-o-business in Homewood, Illinois. The store had been in operation for 57 years, the owners blamed the closing on the bad economy.

Bridgeway Center, in Florida,  ending all inpatient services by the end of March!  The health care provider blames ridiculously low state reimbursements. Company officials say it costs them $516.58 per bed to operate the facility, but the state pays only $293.24 per bed.  The result is that their Crisis Stabilization Unit is shorted $3573.44 every day!    The problem is that state legislators have not adjusted their payments since 1993!  Bridgeway Center says Florida ranks 49th for the number of low income people without insurance, and 49th for state funding of mental health care.

Ohio based supplier of drugs and medical supplies, Cardinal Health, to layoff  180 people by June!  Company officials say they are trying to anticipate future supply demands and price expectations of customers (meaning they think both will come down).

In California, biopharmaceutical company Amgen to layoff 157 employees by April!  Last year the drugs company laid off 400 people! Company officials basically gave the same reason for the layoffs as Cardinal Health.

In Missouri, an iconic quilt shop for 34 years, now closed.  The owner of Patches said she needed “…to move on.”

In Virginia, after less than a year the Southern Estates Books and Antiques in Riverwalk Landing shut down. The Economic Development Authority had combined three stores into one, thinking it would be more successful, but instead they essentially destroyed three businesses.

In Las Vegas, Nevada, tech startup ecomom laid off almost all its employees. Four excecs are staying on at greatly reduced pay. It has something to do with the suicide of one of the co-founders, which is probably related to the bad economy. One of the remaining execs hinted to employees how bad the economy really is:  “There are financial stressors on the business that we are confronting and along with the board of directors, the executive team is moving forward with plans to restructure the business so that it may continue to be a place parents can rely on.”-Marcus Nucci, president

Utah based Associated Food Stores will close down two warehouses in Montana, by April. 106 people out-o-work!  Company officials say they are consolidating their warehouse system, which they hope will help them keep prices down for their grocery store customers.

In Tacoma, Washington, after nearly 60 years in business Meier’s House of Clocks is no more.  The owner said they have been struggling for years since the electronics revolution, but since 2005 business for them crashed.

In Alaska, the Black Market tobacco store closed down.  The owner retired after 40 years in business.

Another investment company going down: Wall Street Journal reported that LPL Financial has failed to meet expectations and that will result in some of their 2,900 employees losing their jobs in the next six months.

The Michigan Brewing Company now bankrupt. What was a homebrew success story (even supplying the brew for Kid Rock’s own brand American Bad Ass Beer) ended in tragic financial failure.  The family running the company admitted they screwed up, they’ve lost all the company’s money as well as their own. The question is, where did all the money go? Company records show that the brewer had record sales year after year! Also, the company constantly failed to pay debts and taxes! So where’s all the money? If you read the reports it turns out that this is a clear example of debt financing out-o-control.  The family has been financing the operations with loans from day one.  Then they started missing payments, resulting in legal actions, and assets being seized.  Still, they were able to get more loans, as their sales were always up.  The problem is that all their profits were going to try an catch up their debts, finally the creditors said no more, and called in their chips (known as deleveraging).

Remember Eddie Murphy’s Cill My Landlord bit on Saturday Night Live? If not watch the Pros & Cons skit here.  And for reasons to Cill My Landlord, read on…

In Anderson, California, the owner of Top`ings Yogurt has decided not to renew her $2000 USD per month lease.  The owner blamed the landlord: “I wasn’t happy with the lease agreement.”-Lindsey Kossol

In Florida, a birthday party center shut down.  The owners of Bounce U blamed their rent:  “Often I am told that this business must be a gold mine, and that we always seem so busy. Truthfully renting a facility of this size and maintaining the day to day expenses is much higher than many realize.”-The Armstrong Family

The Rain or Shine gardening store will close in March. The Portland, Oregon, store had been in business for 23 years.  The owner blamed the landlord’s high rent!

 

Business/Economics, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? Hard hit Florida losing another Kmart! Add another Kmart to North Carolina’s growing list!

22 February 2013/11 Raby’ ath-Thani 1434/04 Esfand 1391

A local TV report said the final Kmart in Escambia County, Florida, will closed for good in May. The store was the last of three Kmarts with a Pensacola address.  Liquidation sale begins in March. 73 people out-o-work.

In North Carolina, the Hendersonville Kmart will also close in May. Liquidation sales begins in March. It was the last anchor store in the Blue Ridge Mall. 58 people out-o-work.

Here’s my updated list of store closings since the end of 2011:

Arizona: Scottsdale Sears/Great Indoors, Chandler Sears/Great Indoors.

Alabama: Gadsden Kmart (50 jobs lost), Mobile Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Auburn Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Anniston Kmart (no word yet on how many jobs lost).

California:   El Monte Sears (at least 40 jobs lost. Damien Arrula, El Monte’s economic development director, said the store manager had lied about what was going on: “The general manager of the store had just indicated to me that they were remodeling.”), two San Diego Sears (at least 80 jobs lost), Pleasant Hill Kmart (more than 50 jobs lost).

Colorado:  Broomfield Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Glenwood Springs Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Lone Tree Sears/Great Indoors, Longmont Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Pueblos’ South Side Kmart (52 jobs lost),  Denver Kmart (number of jobs lost have not been made public at this time, but could be at least 40).

Georgia: Macon Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Buford Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Douglasville Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Atlanta Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Columbus Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Jonesboro Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Cartersville Kmart (74 jobs lost).

Guam:  Sears Hometown Store.

Florida: Fernandina Beach Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Callaway Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Orange City Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost),  Deland Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Stuart Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), West Palm Beach Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Port St. Lucie Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Crystal River Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), New Smyrna Beach Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Saint Augustine Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Pompano Beach Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost),  Jacksonville Kmart on 5751 Beach Boulevard (71 jobs lost), second Kmart in Jacksonville on 4645 Blanding Boulevard (83 jobs lost), Ocoee Sears (102 jobs lost), Pensacola Kmart on Airport Boulevard closed in 2011, Pensacola Kmart on Mobile Highway closed in February 2013 (69 jobs lost), recently revealed Pensacola Kmart on East 9 Mile Road will close in May (73 jobs lost), Hialeah Kmart (67 jobs lost).

Hawaii: Honolulu Sears (owned by GGP, 372 jobs lost!!!).

Idaho: Lewiston Sears (at least 60 jobs lost).

Indiana:  Anderson Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Saint John Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Indianapolis Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost).

Illinois:  Alton Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Melrose Park Sears parts and repair center (50 jobs lost), Zion Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Oak Lawn Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), McHenry Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Peru Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Lombard Sears/Great Indoors (at least 40 jobs lost), Fairview Heights Kmart (81 jobs lost), Freeport Kmart (45 jobs lost), Pontiac Kmart (more than 47 jobs lost), Homer Glen Kmart (82 jobs lost), Streator Kmart (45 jobs lost), Lombard Kmart (70 jobs lost).  Naperville Kmart (98 jobs lost). By the way, Illinois elected officials gave Sears Holdings/Hoffman Estates a $150 million USD tax break to keep their headquarters in the state.  The tax break was not tied to any promise not to close stores.

Iowa:  Cedar Rapids Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Davenport Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Burlington Kmart (50 jobs lost), Coralville Sears (94 jobs lost, this is a store sold to GGP earlier in the year).

Kansas: Lawrence Sears (at least 40 jobs lost).

Kentucky: Middlesboro Sears (in September 2012 the Sears store re-opened under independent ownership, official grand re-opening scheduled for November), Winchester Kmart (back in May, Rankin Paynter bought out what was left of the inventory and gave it to charity), Hazard Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost).

Maine: Lewiston Sears (60 to 70 jobs lost).

Maryland: Ellicott Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Gaithersburg Sears/Great Indoors.

Michigan: Novi Sears/Great Indoors, Brighton Sears Grand/Essentials,  Harper Woods Sears Full line, Monroe Sears Full line, Adrian Sears Full line, Washington Township Kmart, Chesterfield Kmart, Woodhaven Kmart, Flint Kmart (46 jobs lost).

Minnesota: Willmar Kmart, Duluth Kmart, New Hope Kmart, White Bear Lake Kmart.

Mississippi: Jackson Sears Full line, McComb Sears Full line, Columbus Sears Full line.

Missouri: Lee’s Summit Sears Grand/Essentials, Saint Louis Sears Full line.

Montana: Missoula Kmart (50 jobs lost).

New Hampshire: Nashau Sears Grand/Essentials, Keene Sears Grand/Essentials.

North Carolina: High Point Sears, Moorehead Sears, Rocky Mount Sears, Statesville Sears, Durham Kmart (79 jobs lost), Asheville Kmart (53 jobs lost),  West Smithfield Kmart (59 jobs lost), Winston-Salem Kmart (69 jobs lost), recently revealed Hendersonville Kmart (58 jobs lost).

New Jersey:  Lawnside Kmart (about 80 jobs lost).

New Mexico: Las Cruces Kmart (58 jobs lost).

New York: Depew Kmart (68 jobs lost).

Ohio: Chagrin Falls Kmart, Springfield Kmart, two Toledo Kmarts, Medina Kmart, Columbus Kmart, Columbus Sears/Great Indoors, Zanesville Sears (67 jobs lost), Trotwood Kmart (71 jobs lost).   Also, Van Wert Sears franchise bought out by Kirk Berryman, owner of Computer & Networking Technologies (CNT), who plans on moving the store to a new location.

Oklahoma: Oklahoma City Sears (98 jobs lost, GGP owned, GGP wants a $2 million sales tax rebate, claiming it’s needed to offset capital investments needed to bring the space up to the standards for potential new tenants).

Oregon: Roseburg Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Tualatin Kmart Center (new property owner from California is tearing everything down for new shopping center, so far no indication the Kmart will be part of the new shopping center), Milwaukie Kmart (61 jobs lost).

Pennsylvania: Upper Darby Sears Full line, Pottstown Sears Full line, Pittsburgh Kmart, Wilkins Sears, Warminster Kmart (85 jobs lost).

South Carolina: Sumter Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Orangeburg Sears (57 jobs lost), Columbia Kmart on Fort Jackson Boulevard in 2012, Columbia Kmart on Bush River Road in 2009, Columbia Kmart on St Andrews Road (66 jobs lost), Irmo Kmart (no info on how many jobs lost),  one of two Greenville Kmarts (74 jobs lost).

Tennessee: Antioch Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Cleveland Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Oak Ridge Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Hendersonville Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Morristown Sears (about 70 jobs lost).

Texas: Two Sears parts and repair centers closing in The Woodlands (117 jobs lost), rebuild center in Garland (58 jobs lost), Farmers Branch Sears/Great Indoors, Houston Sears Great/Indoors.

Virginia: Norfolk Sears (at least 40 jobs lost),  Midlothian Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Richmond Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Lynchburg Sears (84 jobs lost).

Washington: Walla Walla Sears Full line (in August 2012, it was reported that an independent owner of Sears Hometown stores will open a store in Walla Walla), Lacey Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Kelso Sears (47 jobs lost), Lakewood Kmart (59 jobs lost), Bellingham Sears (92 jobs lost),  Seattle Kmart (85 jobs lost).

West Virginia: Oak Hill Kmart (59 jobs lost).

Wisconsin: West Baraboo Sears (at least 40 jobs lost, local village officials say the store generated 3% of local tax collections), Rice Lake Kmart (about 71 jobs lost).

On top of that, Sears Holdings sold stores to General Growth Properties (GGP), of which it has been reported that most of those stores will be closed.

Here’s the list of 11 Sears stores now owned by GGP:

Iowa: Coral Ridge Mall (it’s official the Sears is closing, see above), and Mall of the Bluffs

Texas: The Woodlands Mall (this does not involve the two repair centers being closed by Sears)

Florida: West Oaks Mall

Utah: Fashion Place, and Provo Towne Centre (note the evil British empire way of spelling town & center. Due to a favorable lease agreement the GGP owned Provo Sears will continue to stay open under Sears Holdings management)

Oklahoma: Quail Springs Mall (it’s official, the Sears will be closed, see above)

Hawaii: Ala Moana Center (will be closed, see above)

Washington: Bellis Fair Mall (Bellingham store, see above)

Minnesota: Apache Mall

Illinois: Market Place Shopping Center

Business/Economics, Idaho, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? List of U.S. job losses & store closings for 30 January 2013. No more student loans? Fox & NBC merger? No more make up? More greedy landlords shut down businesses!

“It all comes down to finance and economics, what’s best for the company. It’s going to trickle down and hurt everybody, employees, residents, taxpayers, everybody is going to be affected.”-Linda Schwager, Mayor of Oakland, New Jersey, commenting on the never ending layoffs

In Florida, 79 cement company workers losing their jobs.  Mexican owned Cemex says their outlook for the economy is so bad, that they have to make these additional layoffs on top of those announced at the end of last year. The views of the Mexican company counter those of the Portland Cement Association, which expects an 8% increase in construction this year.

A state run toll road company, and a state run canal company, have finally released the number of employees they will layoff this year. New York State Thruway Authority will eliminate 192 jobs! Officials blame declining traffic (you see, ‘mericans are driving less and using less fuel!) and increasing costs of repairing the roads. Elected officials refused to increase the tolls (at the behest of constituents), so the company is forced to cut back.  New York State Canal Corporation will layoff 42 people. Unions are fighting the current round of layoffs, over the past several years hundreds of employees were already laid off.

Also in New York, Affiliated Computer Services (ACS) laying off an undisclosed amount of employees.  ACS is owned by Xerox and processes student college loan applications. It doesn’t sound good for the current 800 employees. Local media says rumors of layoffs have been circulating since October 2012, and an official statement from company officials says all loans will be “cleared from their system” by August.  The layoffs will take place in two phases, in March and June.

In California, the South Pasadena Unified School District revealed that 32 teachers will be laid off in March. That is if local voters fail to extend the Measure S parcel tax. The school district has been relying on the temporary tax to maintain a 1 teacher to 20 student ratio, but it also shows that the district can’t manage its funding because teacher pay should be coming from the standard local property taxes/fees, as well as state and federal funds, not additional special taxes.

Also in California, the Cask & Cork restaurant in Fresno closed down.  It had failed after only eight months of operations.  The owners say they will try again in a different city.

New Hamshire’s Cheshire Medical Center/Dartmouth-Hitchcock Keene hospital eliminated 34 jobs. They’re trying to save $1 million USD, due to declining revenue and decreasing state and federal reimbursements (Obama/Romney Care).

More lay offs for Illinois.  Abbott Laboratories let go an undisclosed amount of employees.  The global health care company already laid off 700 people last year.  The company is “restructuring”.

In Little Rock, Arkansas, two local competing TV stations have merged.  The local KLRT Fox affiliate and KARK NBC station are now under one owner, resulting in 28 employees losing their jobs.   A similar thing happened here in East Idaho in 2010, when the KIFI ABC affiliate, and the KIDK CBS affiliate came under the single operation of Missouri based News-Press and Gazette (NPG).  NPG cornered the East Idaho/West Wyoming broadcast market by taking over Telemundo, CW, NOW and KXPI Fox affiliate (the Fox affiliation used to be handled by a former employer of mine, then KIDK & KXPI came under the ownership of Fisher Communications who then turned operations over to NPG).  By the way, it used to be illegal to corner local news media markets, but my former employer, and other media leaders, lobbied hard to change that! At the end of last year NPG paid $14.3 million to take over Santa Barbara, California’s KEYT ABC affiliate.

In Minnesota, Gerdau Steel laid off 31 employees.  The Brazilian based company blamed it on the bad economy, and said if it weren’t for the terms of a recent loan (which requires them to maintain a specific number of positions) they would have laid off even more employees!

Estee Lauder shutting down its Oakland, New Jersey, factory. 116 employees affected!  The cosmetics company is consolidating operations.

In Lewisville, North Carolina, a bicycle store named Neighborhood Transportation, shut down.  The owner blamed his bad health.

In Jackson, Mississippi, Haverty’s is closing down its only furniture store in the Magnolia State. Company officials said the landlord wanted to increase the rent.

67 years old Peschell’s Bakery shut down in West Haven, Connecticut.   The owners blamed the bad economy and competition from national chain stores.

63 people out-o-work in Decatur, Alabama.  The Eaton Manufacturing hydraulic cylinder factory is closing down. Company officials blame it on a decrease in demand (bad economy).

138 jobs lost in Maryland! A British Red Coat company (Cobham) is shutting down two electronics factories. Cobham makes its money off U.S. taxpayers, as it is a military contractor. They blame the layoffs on expected and drastic federal government spending cuts.

International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. occupation of Afghanistan; 14 – 16 February 2013. U.S. taxes paying to end opium production! 2014 pull out does not mean your tax money will stop flooding into Afghanistan!

16 February 2013/05 Raby’ ath-Thani 1434/28 Bahman 1391

In Helmand Province, Mujahideen report several offensives. In Gerishk district, Shoraki region, Mujahideen have been harassing U.S./NATO efforts to withdrawal from an outpost.  Several U.S./NATO airstrikes have been called in.  Locals say civilians have been hit.  In Sangin district’s Majeed Chawk area, a U.S. led NATO patrol hit a landmine, destroying one armored vehicle. Mujahideen say they then engaged the patrol with heavy and light machine gun fire. At last report a witness said the patrol was still pined down.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai has banned Afghan government forces from calling in U.S./NATO air strikes.  Apparently this is because some of the civilian deaths by U.S./NATO airstrikes were the result of Afghan forces requesting the airstrikes.

The order came after an Afghan investigation backs up claims that the United States recently killed 10 civilians in an airstrike in Kunar Province.  Five of those killed were children.

In Badghis Province, there are reports that Pakistanis are training Afghan Mujahideen.

U.S. Army General Raymond Odierno said that it is possible that the planned 2014 withdrawal will be stretched out, in order to keep costs to U.S. taxpayers down.

15 February 2013/04 Raby’ ath-Thani 1434/27 Bahman 1391

In Saripul Province, Mujahideen say they repelled an offensive launched by 200 Arbaki (contracted cops/mercenaries) in the Sheram area.  Mujahideen said they caused heavy casualties for the Arbaki, and one Mujahid was killed.  Also, in Shekar area of Gosphandi district a U.S./NATO spy was assassinated.

In Kandahar Province, Panjawai district, a U.S. led NATO dismounted patrol was ambushed.  No word on casualties. In Spanzo area of Zangawat region, an Arbaki patrol hit a landmine, also no word on casualties. Also, reports saying U.S. led NATO forces abandoned their base in Khakrez district, Baghki area.

In Kunar Province, a former spy boss and another man was killed, one local cop wounded, in what looks like an assassination. A remote controlled bomb exploded as they went to Mosque.

According to Transparency International, United Kingdom branch, the Afghan National Army and National Police are too corrupt to take over when NATO supposedly pulls out at the end of 2014.

14 February 2013/03 Raby’ ath-Thani 1434/26 Bahman 1391

In Helmand Province, Mujahideen say British Red Coats abandoned an outpost in Babaji district.

In Kandahar Province, Khakrez district, two people joined the Mujahideen (one was a former Arbaki).

Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) said billions of U.S. tax dollars will continue to flood into Afghanistan after the 2014 pull out: “The impending end of the combat mission in Afghanistan has led some to erroneously believe that the Afghan reconstruction effort is waning…..The Afghan government does not appear to have the capacity to manage the amount of funding envisioned……protect the American taxpayer.”-John Sopko

Speaking of tax money down the drain; the U.S. Embassy’s Coordinating Director for Rule of Law and Law Enforcement Ambassador, Stephen G. McFarland, announced $18.2 million will be “awarded” to Afghan farmers who do not grow opium poppies.

 

International, U.S.

World War 3: United States on the decline, Iran rejects direct talks, again! Increases nuclear activity! Reveals submarine launched drones, demonstrates Kamakazi drones!

“The Americans are growing passive in the world and it can be said that the U.S. offer of talks with Iran is aimed at saving its face as a power in the world….”-statement from Iranian member of parliament Shahin-Shahr

“Obama’s proposal to hold talks with Iran is inconsistent with the facts, and the hostile actions of the Obama administration have also exceeded those of the Bush administration.”-Seyyed Mohammad Ali Hosseini, Iranian Ambassador to Italy

23 February 2013/12 Raby’ ath-Thani 1434/05 Esfand 1391

Once again, Iranian officials are rejecting the Obama administration’s offer of direct talks.

Deputy Chairman of Iranian Armed Forces’ Chief of Staff, Brigadier General Massoud Jazayeri, said Iran will not back down, because the United States has basically painted itself into a corner: “The [U.S.] doctrine of using pressure to change the behavior of independent countries and political entities has expired, while the doctrine of threat against threat has created new capacities and has changed a lot of political, security, economic and military equations.”

Several weeks ago the Iranian Supreme Leader (aka Ayatollah), Seyed Ali Khamenei, said this about another offer of direct talks: “Negotiation is meant to prove the goodwill. But you [United States] make tens of [hostile] actions with ill intention and then speak of negotiations in words. Can the Iranian nation believe that you are driven by goodwill?”

Iranian Navy Commander, Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari, says they’ve been launching UAVs from submarines.  The drones conduct recon missions and are capable of attack missions.  In September 2012, Iran revealed a new drone with a 24 hours flight duration.

Also, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Ground Force has used Kamakazi drones in the opening stage of wargames that are going on right now.   The wargames are called Payambar-e Azam 8 (The Great Prophet 8).

The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) has revealed that several new uranium mines have been established, and they have designated 16 new nuclear sites: “Following months of efforts, 16 new sites for nuclear power plants have been designated in coastal areas of the Caspian Sea, the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman, Khuzestan and northwestern part of the country.”

The AEOI also announced that more than 180 centrifuges have been installed at the Natanz nuclear facility.  Fereydoun Abbasi, the boss of the AEOI, says the exact number will be revealed once it’s confirmed they work: “The final count of these centrifuges will soon be given to the media, though before we give their number to the media, the Agency’s inspectors will certainly see them….”

And despite all the U.S. and European sanctions, the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration (IRICA) announced that Iran’s non-oil trade has hit $85.9 billion USD last year: “Iran exported over $37 billion worth of non-oil goods and imported $48.3 billion worth of non-oil products…”-Abbas Me’marnejad, IRICA

To top that, the World Steel Association says that Iranian steel production exceeded one million tons in January 2013.  That put Iran in 17th place for steel output: “Despite the intensified sanctions during the last two years, the capacity of Iran’s steel production has increased 5 million tons and we will be completely self-sufficient in the steel industry in the next three years.”-Hamidreza Taherizadeh, Iran Steel Producers Association, statement made in July 2012

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? List of U.S. job losses & store closings for 29 January 2013. Tens of thousands let go! No more Frieghtliner? Incompetent execs! Another bad day for health care! More college students quit! More fuel refineries goin’ down! No more small business loans?

The United States Marines Corps (USMC) announced plans to eliminate 20000 jobs by 2017!

The United States Army (USA) announced they are eliminating or reassigning 60000 positions!

The job cuts announced by the USMC and the USA are not part of the upcoming ‘sequestration’ spending cuts expected from Congress!  The announced cuts were ordered by President Obama in 2012!

Germany’s Daimler Trucks gave layoff warning to thousands of U.S., German and Mexican employees.  As many as 2100 people will be out-o-work in March! The layoffs will affect Freightliner and Western Star truck factories as well as Thomas Built school bus factories in the South & North Carolinas, Oregon and Mexico.  This is the fault of company officials making incorrect estimates about where the economy was going. Last year Daimler officials said they were hiring back 1100 (that they laid off the year before) because they claimed demand for their trucks was going up.  By the end of 2012 they had hired back only about 500, because it turned out that demand was not as high as they “forecast”.  Now it turns out that demand is crashing, blame the bad economy and dumb execs.

JCPenney announced they will eliminate up to 1000 salon receptionist positions in March!

In Massachusetts, Boston Scientific will layoff 1000 employees around the world!  This is on top of the 1400 planned layoffs announced in 2011.  Company officials blame the additional layoffs on new medical taxes coming into effect under the Obama/Romney health care reforms.

In Wisconsin, non-profit WPS Heath Insurance said they are laying off 451 employees, starting at the end of March! The company was founded in 1946.  Company officials said the layoffs are the result of the loss of Medicare and Tricare contracts.

Kaiser Permanente Hawaii will layoff 47 nurses. They are being replaced with cheaper “practical nurses” and “assistants”.  So much for a high level of training, this is proof that corporations only care about how cheaply they can pay you, not how skilled you are!

Also in Hawaii, Kapolei Golf Club laid off 14 employees. Company officials said it was to ensure the club will “operate at optimal efficiency.”

California based VMware laying off 900 people! Despite the fact that the software company is reporting profits, officials said the layoffs were necessary because they expect 2013 to be a bad year for them, because many U.S. government deals are expected to get cut, and they don’t see any recovery for their European market.

In North Carolina, Flextronics is shutting down its Creedmoor factory, making 157 people unemployed!  The company is consolidating factory operations.

New Hampshire based trucking company, Nashua Motor Express, closed down after 92 years in operation. They blamed the bad economy and the changing environment of shipping freight.

In New Mexico, an irony, a loan company has gone bankrupt. FastBucks is trying to get out of paying $20 million USD in court ordered restitution to customers that it ripped off!

In Virginia, the Martini Kitchen and Bubble Bar now bankrupt.  They are in debt by $236000, which includes unpaid taxes. And in Roanoke, the only Hooters restaurant is now closed. The owner, Cornett Hospitality, went bankrupt.  Also, Stafford County is losing the 40 years old J&S Market. The owners blame the bad economy and competition from national chain stores.

In Texas, Saks Fifth Avenue closing down a store in Dallas. A company press release implied the store was not “productive” enough. And Disney is shutting down its video game maker, Junction Point Studios, in Austin.  Reports say about 50 people will be unemployed.  The maker of Epic Mickey games has been losing money ever since they released the disappointing Epic Mickey 2 game.

In New York, the Olympia Sports in Consumer Square shut down. Owners say sales didn’t justify signing a new lease.  Also, Closure Systems International Packaging Machinery ends its Randolph factory operations. They make bottle caps for aluminum and plastic bottles. No reason was given for the closure.

Haines Music store, in Pennsylvania, closing down after almost 50 years of providing school bands with supplies. The owners want to retire, and they said none of their children wanted to take over the store.

The Hess Port Reading fuel refinery in New Jersey, shut down for good.  170 people out-o-work! The operators of the refinery say they’ve actually lost money in the past two years, and, amazingly, they say the way the fuel market looks they didn’t expect to make any profits in the future.  It also didn’t help that the operators were forced by federal and state regulators to spend $45 million on environmental controls.

Krispy Kremes lays off more than a dozen employees at a store in Springfield, Missouri.  Officials said it is part of the company’s plans to get rid of “underperforming” stores.

In Louisiana, Delgato Community College will layoff 46 employees.  School officials blame $13 million in debt, which is partly caused by a big declination in student enrollment.

Too big to fail Citigroup (and government bailout recipient) will slash & burn their small business loan operations.  How many people will be laid off has not been announced. These new layoffs will be on top of the 11000 announced in December 2012.

Business/Economics, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? North Dakota Kmart & another Illinois Sears going down! 200+ people out-o-work! Local taxpayers F*ck*d again!!!

22 February 2013/11 Raby’ ath-Thani 1434/04 Esfand 1391

Jamestown, North Dakota, will lose their Kmart in May.  Sears Holdings officials said they will not renew the lease because sales at the Flickertail State store sucked! 45 people out-o-work.

Calumet City, Illinois, losing the River Oaks Center Sears store in May.  Company officials called it “a business decision.”  164 people out-o-work!  On top of that, state taxpayers were forced by their evil elected officials to give Sears Holdings more than $150 million in tax breaks!  City officials are pissed, not just because of the money but Sears gave no warning: “I think Calumet City has been good to Sears and I think we deserve to know other than with the news of the liquidation sale…..I’m contacting our two state reps to see what action may be possible to force them to give the money back to the state.”-Michelle Markiewicz Qualkinbush, Mayor of Calumet City

Here’s my updated list of store closings since the end of 2011:

Arizona: Scottsdale Sears/Great Indoors, Chandler Sears/Great Indoors.

Alabama: Gadsden Kmart (50 jobs lost), Mobile Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Auburn Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Anniston Kmart (no word yet on how many jobs lost).

California:   El Monte Sears (at least 40 jobs lost. Damien Arrula, El Monte’s economic development director, said the store manager had lied about what was going on: “The general manager of the store had just indicated to me that they were remodeling.”), two San Diego Sears (at least 80 jobs lost), Pleasant Hill Kmart (more than 50 jobs lost).

Colorado:  Broomfield Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Glenwood Springs Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Lone Tree Sears/Great Indoors, Longmont Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Pueblos’ South Side Kmart (52 jobs lost),  Denver Kmart (number of jobs lost have not been made public at this time, but could be at least 40).

Georgia: Macon Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Buford Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Douglasville Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Atlanta Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Columbus Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Jonesboro Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Cartersville Kmart (74 jobs lost).

Guam:  Sears Hometown Store.

Florida: Fernandina Beach Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Callaway Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Orange City Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost),  Deland Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Stuart Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), West Palm Beach Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Port St. Lucie Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Crystal River Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), New Smyrna Beach Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Saint Augustine Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Pompano Beach Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost),  Jacksonville Kmart on 5751 Beach Boulevard (71 jobs lost), second Kmart in Jacksonville on 4645 Blanding Boulevard (83 jobs lost), Ocoee Sears (102 jobs lost), Pensacola Kmart on Airport Boulevard closed in 2011, Pensacola Kmart on Mobile Highway closed in February 2013 (69 jobs lost), Hialeah Kmart (67 jobs lost).


Hawaii: Honolulu Sears (owned by GGP, 372 jobs lost!!!).

Idaho: Lewiston Sears (at least 60 jobs lost).

Indiana:  Anderson Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Saint John Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Indianapolis Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost).

Illinois:  Alton Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Melrose Park Sears parts and repair center (50 jobs lost), Zion Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Oak Lawn Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), McHenry Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Peru Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Lombard Sears/Great Indoors (at least 40 jobs lost), Fairview Heights Kmart (81 jobs lost), Freeport Kmart (45 jobs lost), Pontiac Kmart (more than 47 jobs lost), Homer Glen Kmart (82 jobs lost), Streator Kmart (45 jobs lost), Lombard Kmart (70 jobs lost).  Naperville Kmart (98 jobs lost). Recently revealed Calumet City Sears (164 jobs lost).  By the way, Illinois elected officials recently gave Sears Holdings/Hoffman Estates a $150 million USD tax break to keep their headquarters in the state.  The tax break was not tied to any promise not to close stores. The deal also reduces future property taxes by $125 million over the next ten years!

Iowa:  Cedar Rapids Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Davenport Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Burlington Kmart (50 jobs lost), Coralville Sears (94 jobs lost, this is a store sold to GGP earlier in the year).

Kansas: Lawrence Sears (at least 40 jobs lost).

Kentucky: Middlesboro Sears (in September 2012 the Sears store re-opened under independent ownership, official grand re-opening scheduled for November), Winchester Kmart (back in May, Rankin Paynter bought out what was left of the inventory and gave it to charity), Hazard Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost).

Maine: Lewiston Sears (60 to 70 jobs lost).

Maryland: Ellicott Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Gaithersburg Sears/Great Indoors.

Michigan: Novi Sears/Great Indoors, Brighton Sears Grand/Essentials,  Harper Woods Sears Full line, Monroe Sears Full line, Adrian Sears Full line, Washington Township Kmart, Chesterfield Kmart, Woodhaven Kmart, Flint Kmart (46 jobs lost).

Minnesota: Willmar Kmart, Duluth Kmart, New Hope Kmart, White Bear Lake Kmart.

Mississippi: Jackson Sears Full line, McComb Sears Full line, Columbus Sears Full line.

Missouri: Lee’s Summit Sears Grand/Essentials, Saint Louis Sears Full line.

Montana: Missoula Kmart (50 jobs lost).

New Hampshire: Nashau Sears Grand/Essentials, Keene Sears Grand/Essentials.

North Carolina: High Point Sears, Moorehead Sears, Rocky Mount Sears, Statesville Sears, Durham Kmart (79 jobs lost), Asheville Kmart (53 jobs lost),  West Smithfield Kmart (59 jobs lost), Winston-Salem Kmart (69 jobs lost).

North Dakota: Recently revealed Jamestown Kmart (45 jobs lost).

New Jersey:  Lawnside Kmart (about 80 jobs lost).

New Mexico: Las Cruces Kmart (58 jobs lost).

New York: Depew Kmart (68 jobs lost).

Ohio: Chagrin Falls Kmart, Springfield Kmart, two Toledo Kmarts, Medina Kmart, Columbus Kmart, Columbus Sears/Great Indoors, Zanesville Sears (67 jobs lost), Trotwood Kmart (71 jobs lost).   Also, Van Wert Sears franchise bought out by Kirk Berryman, owner of Computer & Networking Technologies (CNT), who plans on moving the store to a new location.

Oklahoma: Oklahoma City Sears (98 jobs lost, GGP owned, GGP wants a $2 million sales tax rebate, claiming it’s needed to offset capital investments needed to bring the space up to the standards for potential new tenants).

Oregon: Roseburg Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Tualatin Kmart Center (new property owner from California is tearing everything down for new shopping center, so far no indication the Kmart will be part of the new shopping center), Milwaukie Kmart (61 jobs lost).

Pennsylvania: Upper Darby Sears Full line, Pottstown Sears Full line, Pittsburgh Kmart, Wilkins Sears, Warminster Kmart (85 jobs lost).

South Carolina: Sumter Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Orangeburg Sears (57 jobs lost), Columbia Kmart on Fort Jackson Boulevard in 2012, Columbia Kmart on Bush River Road in 2009, Columbia Kmart on St Andrews Road (66 jobs lost), Irmo Kmart (no info on how many jobs lost), one of two Greenville Kmarts (74 jobs lost).

Tennessee: Antioch Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Cleveland Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Oak Ridge Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Hendersonville Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Morristown Sears (about 70 jobs lost).

Texas: Two Sears parts and repair centers closing in The Woodlands (117 jobs lost), rebuild center in Garland (58 jobs lost), Farmers Branch Sears/Great Indoors, Houston Sears Great/Indoors.

Virginia: Norfolk Sears (at least 40 jobs lost),  Midlothian Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Richmond Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Lynchburg Sears (84 jobs lost).

Washington: Walla Walla Sears Full line (in August 2012, it was reported that an independent owner of Sears Hometown stores will open a store in Walla Walla), Lacey Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Kelso Sears (47 jobs lost), Lakewood Kmart (59 jobs lost), Bellingham Sears (92 jobs lost),  Seattle Kmart (85 jobs lost).

West Virginia: Oak Hill Kmart (59 jobs lost).

Wisconsin: West Baraboo Sears (at least 40 jobs lost, local village officials say the store generated 3% of local tax collections), Rice Lake Kmart (about 71 jobs lost).

On top of that, Sears Holdings sold stores to General Growth Properties (GGP), of which it has been reported that most of those stores will be closed.

Here’s the list of 11 Sears stores now owned by GGP:

Iowa: Coral Ridge Mall (it’s official the Sears is closing, see above), and Mall of the Bluffs

Texas: The Woodlands Mall (this does not involve the two repair centers being closed by Sears)

Florida: West Oaks Mall

Utah: Fashion Place, and Provo Towne Centre (note the evil British empire way of spelling town & center. Due to a favorable lease agreement the GGP owned Provo Sears will continue to stay open under Sears Holdings management)

Oklahoma: Quail Springs Mall (it’s official, the Sears will be closed, see above)

Hawaii: Ala Moana Center (will be closed, see above)

Washington: Bellis Fair Mall (Bellingham store, see above)

Minnesota: Apache Mall

Illinois: Market Place Shopping Center