The last Kmart on the U.S. mainland, located in a busy suburban Miami shopping center, is struggling to attract customers. Once a major player in the retail industry, Kmart now sits quiet and largely ignored, surrounded by thriving chain stores like Marshalls and Hobby Lobby. The store, which is now just a fraction of its former size, remains the last operating Kmart in the continental U.S. after the closure of the last full-size location in Long Island, New York. Transformco, the company that owns Kmart, has not disclosed any plans for the Miami location, but there is no indication that it will close soon.
Despite its struggles, the Miami Kmart is immaculately maintained and its merchandise is neatly displayed. The store occupies a smaller space compared to its big-box days and shares the shopping center with an At Home department store. With Halloween and Christmas decorations lining the entryway, the store currently offers a variety of products including appliances, toiletries, toys, and clothing. A recorded voice still announces sales over the loudspeaker, although the absence of customers is noticeable.
Kmart was founded in 1962 in Michigan and quickly grew to become one of the nation’s largest retailers with thousands of locations. However, a series of missteps including failed diversifications and a bankruptcy filing in 2002 led to its downfall. The company’s website never gained traction, allowing competitors like Walmart and Target to take over its market share. Despite its history, Kmart was unable to adapt to the changing retail landscape, ultimately leading to its current state as the last remaining outpost in the continental U.S.
In 2019, Transformco purchased Kmart and Sears out of bankruptcy for $5 billion, primarily for their real estate holdings. Over the past few years, the firm has been steadily closing Kmart locations, with the Miami store being the last one left in the states. Despite its nostalgic appeal, the store struggles to attract customers, with only a few trickling in every hour. Some shoppers, like college students Joey Fernandez and Wilfredo Huayhua, visit the store for nostalgia but leave empty-handed. Others, like teacher Oliver Sequin, appreciate the store’s cleanliness and organization but only make minimal purchases.
Overall, the story of Kmart’s decline reflects larger trends in the retail industry and the challenges faced by traditional brick-and-mortar stores in the era of e-commerce. While the Miami Kmart remains open for now, its future is uncertain as it continues to operate in a landscape dominated by online shopping and modern retail giants. The store’s legacy as a once-popular retailer serves as a reminder of the importance of adaptation and innovation in an evolving marketplace.
