The History of Kmart and it's brands

Kmart was previously called the S.S. Kresge Company from 1899 to 1977. The chain currently has 202 stores as of 2019, compared to the 2,000+ stores in the 1990's. (Kmart was very popular back then because of the Blue Light Special, where an item at Kmart was sold at a reduced price and the blue light would flash at a specific department)

The very first Kmart store which is in Garden City, Michigan, opened in 1962 and closed in 2017.

Here are the current and former brands: (Source: Wikipedia, Kmart)

CURRENT BRANDS:

Kmart is a chain of discount department stores that are usually free-standing or located in strip malls. They carry CD's, DVD's, TV shows, electronics, bedding, household hardware, sporting goods, clothing, toys, jewelry, office supplies, health and beauty products, over-the-counter medications, home decor, and a limited selection of food items. Many also have a garden center, a Jackson Hewitt tax center, a pharmacy, and a KCafe or a deli. Kmart stores range from 80,000 to 110,000 sq ft.

Big Kmart is a chain of discount stores that carried everything that a regular Kmart carries, but emphasizes home decor, children's clothing, and more food items such as meat and poultry, baked goods, and an extended, but limited selection of produce. Big Kmart stores ranged from 84,000 to 120,000 sq ft. Kmart introduced the Big Kmart brand in 1997.

FORMER BRANDS:

Borders was a chain of bookstores acquired by Kmart in 1992. In 1994, Borders merged with the Kmart chain Waldenbooks to form Borders-Walden Group, which was sold in 1995. In February 2011, Borders filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and announced plans to liquidate in July 2011 after failing to keep all 399 stores in operation. The remaining stores (including the Brandon location, opened in 2003) closed in September 2011.

Builders Square was a home improvement superstore founded in 1970. The chain went out of business in 1999.

KCafe was an in-store restaurant that served a menu of hamburgers, hot dogs, french fries, grilled cheese sandwiches and Philly cheesesteaks. They also offered a full breakfast menu of baked goods, bagels and egg platters with bacon or sausage and snacks such as nachos, pretzels, and ice cream. In addition to the cafe's menu, hot food items could be purchased from the deli and eaten in the deli cafe in the Super Kmart stores.

Kmart Express was a chain of gas stations and convenience stores located in outparcels at some Kmart and Super Kmart stores. There were plans to expand this concept to most Kmarts, but the plan was cancelled in 2002.

Kmart Food Stores was a supermarket chain founded in 1962. The chain was discontinued in the early 1980's.

Sports Authority was a chain of sporting goods stores that was acquired by Kmart in 1990 and sold in 1995. Sports Authority went out of business in 2016.

Super Kmart was a chain of superstores that carried everything a regular Kmart carries, but also had a full grocery section with meat and poultry, baked goods, deli, produce, and seafood. Super Kmart stores ranged from 140,000 to 190,000 sq ft. The first Super Kmart, located in Medina, Ohio, opened in 1991 and closed in 2012. Super Kmart stores also featured a garden center, video rentals, a local bank branch, an arcade, a portrait studio, a Jackson Hewitt tax center, a pharmacy, and a KCafe or a Little Caesars. Several locations also included Kmart gas stations, and most had an auto center. Most Super Kmart stores closed in 2002 and 2003, converting them into regular Kmart locations. In 2015, some stores were converted into a regular Kmart with a concept called KFresh. These stores featured expanded pantry and fresh food departments. The deli, butcher and bakery operations were closed. Kmart closed it's final superstore in Warren, Ohio on April 8, 2018.