Is YOUR job in danger? Thousands of Americans to lose jobs as 218 iconic American brands collapse

Several American chains are closing in 2017.

An iconic American brand with a century-long history is shutting down hundreds of stores in the face of bankruptcy.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - According to Business Insider, several Sears chains have been losing so much money that staff is starting to hand out large white sheets to seal off empty shelving.

Sears' CEO, Eddie Lampert, has allegedly been keeping his company afloat with help from his personal funds while pushing for a rewards program called Shop Your Way.

Shop Your Way was introduced in 2009. Sears and Kmart shoppers accumulate points with their purchases, which Shop Your Way converts into online coupons and discounts.

Though this sounds like a positive move for both the company and its customers, a former executive who spoke on the the condition of anonymity explained it was just a way for Sears to acquire personal information to be sold to other companies.

Even with this extra source of revenue, Sears stock is tanking.

Lampert was so focused on the Shop Your Way site that employees began to complain about the lack of investments into physical stores.

Addressing the issue at a shareholder's meeting, Lampert wrote a letter saying: "While we have been criticized for not investing more in our stores, I have explained in the past that the investments in our transformation go well beyond our stores, but don't ignore our stores.

"We believe that our investments in the Shop Your Way membership platform and our integrated retail capabilities [online and physical shopping] were more appropriate investments given the massive shift in how customers are shopping and how competition has evolved."

Unfortunately, Lampert has ignored his customer base - older and middle-aged consumers.

One former executive explained: "The reality is, when your top line falls as significantly as it has and your customer base doesn't buy all online - they are middle-aged to older, and they shop the store - as much as you try to shift channels to online, it's just not happening."

Three former executives claim Lampert isn't knowledgeable to understand what is best for the company and has even proposed Sears should be a tech company, more like Facebook or Apple.

One former employee shared: "He's got it all set out in his mind, how he wants things to run, regardless of any type of value proposition. if Eddie thinks it's 'cool' and it will position us with Amazon or what the young people are buying, then you go marching toward it like a zombie."

Several store-level and corporate employees claim Lampert is out of touch with reality.

One former vice president said: "He refuses to put a dime in updating stores. You walk in and you are embarrassed as an employee when the ceilings are leaking and the floors are cracked. No one believes in Eddie's vision. He has just gone rogue."

In the wake of ongoing financial distresses, Lampert began lending Sears - and other companies owned by the brand - money to help keep it afloat but the company is in deep - deep enough to close 218 Sears, Kmart and Macy's stores across the United States.

Macy's outgoing Charmian and CEO Terry Lundgren issued a press release in which he explained: "We are closing locations that are unproductive or are no longer robust shopping destinations due to changes in the local retail shopping landscape, as well as monetizing locations with highly valued real estate.

"These are never easy decisions, and we are committed to treating associates affected by these closings with respect and transparency."

Here is a list of Macy's stores expected to close in 2017 according to state, compliments of the < haref="http://www.csmonitor.com/Business/Saving-Money/2017/0108/Here-are-all-the-Macy-s-Kmart-and-Sears-stores-slated-to-close-in-2017">CS Monitor:

California:

Mission Valley Apparel, San Diego, CA
Paseo Nuevo, Santa Barbara, CA
Simi Valley Town Center (men's/home/kids), Simi Valley, CA

Florida:

Lakeland Square, Lakeland, FL
Oviedo Marketplace, Oviedo, FL
Sarasota Square, Sarasota, FL
University Square, Tampa, FL
CityPlace, West Palm Beach, FL

Georgia:

Georgia Square, Athens, GA

Idaho:

Nampa Gateway Center, Nampa, ID

Illinois:

Alton Square, Alton, IL
Stratford Square, Bloomingdale, IL
Eastland, Bloomington, IL

Kentucky:

Greenwood, Bowling Green, KY
Jefferson, Louisville, KY

Lousiana:

Esplanade, Kenner, LA

Maryland:

Bangor, Bangor, ME

Massachusetts:

Westgate, Brockton, MA
Silver City Galleria, Taunton, MA

Michigan:

Lakeview Square Mall, Battle Creek, MI
Eastland Center, Harper Woods, MI
Lansing, Lansing, MI
Westland, Westland, MI

Minnesota:

Minneapolis Downtown, Minneapolis, MN

North Carolina:

Carolina Place, Pineville, NC
Northgate, Durham, NC

North Dakota:

Columbia, Grand Forks, ND

New Jersey:

Moorestown, Moorestown, NJ
Voorhees Town Center, Voorhees, NJ
Preakness, Wayne, NJ Cottonwood, Albuquerque, NM (173,000 square feet; opened in 1996; 56 associates)

Nevada:

Las Vegas Boulevard, Las Vegas, NV

New York:

Great Northern, Clay, NY
Douglaston, Douglaston, NY
Oakdale Mall, Johnson City, NY
The Marketplace, Rochester, NY

Ohio:

Eastland, Columbus, OH
Sandusky, Sandusky, OH
Fort Steuben, Steubenville, OH
Mall at Tuttle Crossing (furniture/home/kids/men's), Dublin, OH (227,000 square feet, opened in 2003, 52 associates)

Oklahoma:

Promenade, Tulsa, OK

Oregon:

Downtown Portland, Portland, OR
Lancaster Mall, Salem, OR

Pennsylvania:

Neshaminy, Bensalem, PA
Shenango Valley, Hermitage, PA
Beaver Valley, Monaca, PA
Lycoming, Muncy, PA
Plymouth Meeting, Plymouth Meeting, PA
Washington Crown Center, Washington, PA

Texas:

Parkdale, Beaumont, TX
Southwest Center, Dallas, TX
Sunland Park, El Paso, TX
Greenspoint, Houston, TX
West Oaks Mall, Houston, TX
Pasadena Town Square, Pasadena, TX
Collin Creek, Plano, TX
Broadway Square, Tyler, TX
Layton Hills, Layton, UT

Utah:

Cottonwood, Salt Lake City, UT

Virginia:

Landmark, Alexandria, VA
River Ridge, Lynchburg, VA

Washington:

Everett, Everett, WA
Three Rivers, Kelso, WA

Wisconsin:

Valley View, La Crosse, WI
Oakwood Mall, Eau Claire, WI

Sears and Kmart store closings by state:

Alabama:

Kmart -- 300 Highway 78 E, Jasper, AL
Kmart -- 2003 US Hwy 280 Bypass, Phenix City, AL
Sears -- 301 Cox Creek Pkwy, Florence, AL

Arkansas:

Sears -- 1901 S Caraway Road Jonesboro, AR

California:

Kmart -- 3600 Wilson Road, Bakersfield, CA
Kmart -- 25 West Polk Street, Coalinga, CA
Kmart -- 333 Sierra Street,  Kingsburg, CA
Kmart -- 3001 Iowa Avenue, Riverside, CA

Colorado:

Kmart -- 363 S Broadway, Denver, CO
Kmart -- 2809 North Ave, Grand Junction, CO

Connecticut:

Kmart -- 45 Shunpike Road, Cromwell, CT
Sears -- 90 Elm St; Enfield Sq, Enfield, CT

Florida:

Kmart -- 501 N Beneva Road, Sarasota, FL
Kmart -- 1801 Northwest Hwy 19, Crystal River, FL
Kmart -- 15271 Mcgregor Blvd, Fort Myers, FL
Kmart -- 2111 S Federal Hwy, Fort Pierce, FL
Kmart -- 1501 Normandy Village, Jacksonville, FL
Kmart -- 2211 W Irlo Bronson Hwy, Kissimmee, FL
Kmart -- 19400 Cochran Blvd, Port Charlotte, FL
Kmart -- 4955 Golden Gate Parkway, Naples, FL
Kmart -- 111 Town & Country Drive, Palatka, FL
Sears -- 301 Eagle Ridge Dr, Lake Wales, FL

Georgia:

Kmart -- 3200 Macon Road, Columbus, GA
Kmart -- 365 Habersham Village Circle, Cornelia, GA
Kmart -- 1601 Highway 40 East, Kingsland, GA
Kmart -- 33 W Montgomery Cross Road Savannah, GA
Sears -- Albany Mall Albany, GA
Sears --  5555 Whittlesey Blvd Columbus, GA

Hawaii:

Kmart -- 4561 Salt Lake Blvd Halawa / Honolullu, HI

Illinois:

Kmart -- 2851 Belt Line Parkway Alton, IL
Kmart -- 3655 Nameoki Road Granite City, IL

Indiana:

Kmart -- 750 Indian Boundary Road Chesterton, IN
Kmart -- 1460 West State Road 2 La Porte, IN
Sears -- 1235 S Reed Road Kokomo, IN

Iowa:

Kmart -- 2600 Dodge Street, Dubuque, IA
Kmart -- 5700 Gordon Drive, Sioux City, IA
Kmart -- 3810 University Avenue, Waterloo, IA

Kansas:

Kmart -- 4820 S 4th St Trafficway Leavenworth, KS
Kmart -- 4200 W Kellogg Dr Wichita, KS
Sears -- 2259 S 9th St Salina, KS

Kentucky:

Kmart -- 191 Outer Loop Road Louisville, KY
Kmart -- 2945 Scottsville Road Bowling Green, KY
Kmart -- 14662 N US Highway 25 East Corbin, KY
Kmart -- 1501 Paris Pike Georgetown, KY
Kmart -- 3010 Fort Campbell Blvd Hopkinsville, KY
Kmart -- 1710 West Highway 192 London, KY
Kmart -- 2815 West Parrish Avenue Owensboro, KY
Sears -- 5101 Hinkleville Road Paducah, KY

Louisiana:

Kmart -- 115 South Airline Hwy Gonzales, LA
Kmart -- 1400 S Clearview Parkway New Orleans, LA
Sears -- 9001 Cortana Mall Baton Rouge / Cortana, LA
Sears -- 197 Westbank Expressway Gretna, LA

Maine:

Kmart -- 688 Hogan Road Bangor, ME
Sears -- 10 Whitten Road Augusta, ME

Maryland:

Kmart -- 222 N Point Blvd Baltimore, MD

Massachusetts:

Kmart -- 9 Plaza Way Fairhaven, MA
Kmart -- 1130 Newport Avenue South Attleboro, MA
Sears -- 262 Swansea Mall Drive Swansea, MA

Michigan:

Kmart -- 29600 Ford Road Garden City, MI
Kmart -- 3555 O'Neill Drive Jackson, MI
Kmart -- 1396 South Main Street Adrian, MI
Kmart -- 5400 S Cedar Street Lansing, MI
Kmart -- 1501 E Apple Ave Muskegon, MI
Kmart -- 40855 Ann Arbor Road Plymouth, MI
Kmart -- 17580 Frazho Road Roseville, MI
Kmart -- 3541 Highland Road Waterford, MI
Kmart -- 165 Wayne Road Westland, MI
Kmart -- 6455 US 31 N Acme Township, MI
Sears -- 3099 28th St SE Grand Rapids, MI

Minnesota:

Kmart -- 1305 Highway 10 West Detroit Lakes, MN
Sears -- 12737 Riverdale Blvd NW Coon Rapids, MN
Sears --1850 Adams St Mankato, MN

Missouri:

Kmart -- 1477 State Highway 248 Branson, MO
Kmart -- 2304 Missouri Blvd Jefferson City, MO
Kmart -- 1003 S Bishop Ave Rolla, MO
Kmart -- 3101 S Glenstone Ave Springfield,  MO
Kmart -- 6650 Manchester Ave St Louis, MO
Sears -- 3600 Country Club Dr Jefferson City, MO
Sears -- 3702 Frederick Ave Saint Joseph, MO

Nevada:

Kmart -- 10405 S Eastern Ave Henderson, NV

New Jersey:

Kmart -- 1468 Clementon Road Clementon, NJ
Kmart -- 645 Highway 18 East Brunswick, NJ
Kmart -- 800 Black Horse Pike Pleasantville, NJ
Kmart -- Rte 9 & Rte 47 Rio Grande, NJ

New Mexico:

Sears -- 1000 S Main St Roswell, NM

New York:

Kmart -- 4645 Commercial Drive New Hartford, NY
Sears -- 1261 Niagara Falls Blvd Amherst, NY
Sears -- 2000 Walden Ave Cheektowaga, NY
Sears -- 1 N Galleria Dr Middletown, NY
Sears -- 9605 Queens Blvd Rego Park, NY

North Carolina:

Kmart -- 545 US Hwy 29 North Concord, NC
Kmart -- 1931 Skibo Road Fayetteville, NC
Kmart -- 201 N Berkeley Blvd Goldsboro, NC
Kmart -- 102 New Market Madison, NC
Kmart -- 815 S College Road Wilmington, NC

North Dakota:

Sears -- 3902 13th Ave South Fargo, ND

Ohio:

Kmart -- 1500 Coshocton Ave Mount Vernon, OH
Kmart -- 185 Upper River Road Gallipolis, OH
Kmart -- 1005 East Columbus St Kenton, OH
Kmart -- 225 West Avenue New Boston, OH
Kmart -- 1284 Brice Road Reynoldsburg, OH
Kmart -- I-70 & Mall Road St. Clairsville, OH
Kmart -- 3515 N Maple Avenue Zanesville, OH
Sears -- 2000 Brittain Road Akron, OH
Sears -- 1075 N Bridge St Chillicothe, OH
Sears -- 1701 River Valley Circle S Lancaster, OH
Sears -- Richmond Mall Richmond Heights, OH

Oklahoma:

Kmart -- 4 East Shawnee St Muskogee, OK
Sears -- 428 SW C Ave Lawton, OK
Sears -- 1901 S Yale Ave Tulsa, OK

Pennsylvania:

Kmart -- 5820 Shaffer Road Dubois, PA
Kmart -- 1320 E Grandview Blvd Erie, PA
Kmart -- 1890 Fruitville Pike Lancaster, PA
Kmart -- 5600 Carlisle Pike US 11 Mechanicsburg, PA
Kmart -- 120 Mall Blvd Monroeville, PA
Kmart -- 100 Cross Roads Plz Mt. Pleasant, PA
Sears -- 1 Susquehanna Valley Mall Dr Selinsgrove, PA
Sears -- 1500 Mall Run Road Uniontown, PA
Sears -- 3595 Capital City Mall Camp Hill, PA
Sears -- 3245 E State St Hermitage/Sharon, PA

Rhode Island:

Sears -- 1500 Diamond Hill Road, Woonsocket, RI

South Carolina:

Kmart -- 3801 B Clemson Blvd Anderson, SC
Kmart -- 254 Highway 72 By-Pass Greenwood, SC
Kmart -- 8571 Rivers Avenue North Charleston, SC
Sears -- 2701 David H Mcleod Blvd Florence, SC

South Dakota:

Kmart -- 3020 W 12th St Sioux Falls, SD

Tennessee:

Kmart -- 305 W Economy Road Morristown, TN
Sears -- 2101 Fort Henry Dr Kingsport, TN

Texas:

Kmart -- 1120 Mc Rae Blvd El Paso, TX
Kmart -- 9484 Dyer St El Paso, TX
Kmart -- 1101 Fort Hood Street Killeen, TX
Kmart -- 3061 S John Redditt Dr Lufkin, TX
Sears -- 4101 E 42nd St Odessa, TX

Utah:

Kmart -- 1153 W Highway 40 Vernal, UT
Kmart -- 2010 N Main St Layton, UT

Virginia:

Kmart -- 1419 Hershberger Road N W Roanoke, VA
Kmart -- 3655 Plank Road Fredericksburg, VA
Kmart -- 6101 N Military Hwy Norfolk, VA
Kmart -- 1355 West Main Street Salem, VA
Sears -- 500 Gate City Hwy Bristol, VA

Washington:

Kmart -- 5132 6th Ave Tacoma, WA
Sears -- 18600 Alderwood Mall Pkwy Lynnwood, WA
West Virginia:

Kmart -- 731 Beverly Pike Elkins, WV
Kmart -- 1050 Division Street Parkersburg, WV
Kmart -- 250 Three Springs Drive Weirton, WV
Sears -- 225 Meadowbrook Road Bridgeport, WV
Sears -- Towne Center Mall Charleston, WV

Wisconsin:

Kmart -- 1425 E Highway 151 Platteville, WI
Kmart -- 2211 S Green Bay Road Racine, WI

Wyoming:

Kmart -- 1840 Dell Range Blvd Cheyenne, WY

In the last few years, at least 67 executives - vice president or higher - have jumped ship before Sears perishes entirely.

One former vice president added: "There are so many people running for the door not just because the ship is sinking, but because the captain of the ship is screaming at them, blaming it on them, and telling them it's their fault."

Van Conway, an expert in bankruptcy and debt restructuring and CEO of Van Conway & Partners, explained: "They [Sears] are going out of business. This snowball is 90% of the way to the bottom of the hill. The game's over."

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