The company that owns Kmart and Sears has announced the closing of two Iowa stores, eliminating almost 100 jobs.
Mason City’s Kmart store and a Sears store in Dubuque on JFK Road will be closing in April, with the closings impacting about 50 employees in each location.
Sears Holdings spokesman Howard Riefs says a series of store closures nationwide is happening as they’re trying to reduce on-going expenses, adjust their asset base and accelerate the transformation of their business model.
Riefs says those actions will better enable the company to focus their investments on serving their customers and members through integrated retail at the store, online, and in the home.
Employees will receive severance and will have the opportunity to apply for open positions at other Sears and Kmart stores in their area. Most of those are hourly and part-time positions.
By Bob Fisher, KRIB, Mason City
