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See inside one of the last 4 Kmart stores in the US days before it closed down forever

The Kmart in Avenel, New Jersey three days before it closes. There are signs announcing its closing throughout the front of the store.

Brittany Chang/Insider

  • Kmart's sales and locations have been dwindling as the brand continues to fall victim to the retail apocalypse.
  • The fourth to last Kmart store in the US closed on April 16.
  • See inside the nostalgic and nearly empty store just days before it permanently closed its doors.
Not too long ago, Kmart was a household brand synonymous with bustling stores, errands with your family, and cheeky television advertisements.
The Kmart in Avenel, New Jersey three days before it closes. There are signs announcing its closing throughout the front of the store.

Brittany Chang/Insider

But now, Kmart's glory days are in the past.
The Kmart in Avenel, New Jersey three days before it closes. There are signs announcing its closing throughout the front of the store.

Brittany Chang/Insider

As Amazon and Walmart continue to dominate, Kmart's sales have tumbled, and with it the number of locations.
Inside of the Kmart in Avenel, New Jersey three days before it closes. Every item that's left is on sale, and there are yellow signs denoting the prices. A sign hanging from the ceiling reads "Store Closing sale!"

Brittany Chang/Insider

Just two decades ago, the brand had over 2,000 locations.
Assorted goods for sale inside cardboard boxes and plastic bags.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Source: Insider

But on April 16, Kmart closed its fourth to final store in Avenel, New Jersey, leaving just 3 Kmart stores open across the US.
Signs hanging on the ceiling reading "Store Closing Sale!" as people shop.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Source: Insider

Kmart's fall from the American shoppers' grace is a testament to the ongoing retail apocalypse that has swallowed up other big box companies like JCPenny and Sears.
Men's suit sets are 75% off. The clothes are hanging on a circular clothing rack.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Source: Insider, Insider

 

Just three days before it permanently closed, the Kmart in New Jersey was already looking like an eerily nostalgic shell of a space that was once a consumer hub.
"Store closing sale!" sign hanging from the ceiling with clothing racks below.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Inside, the Kmart felt cold and lifeless as it slowly waited for its imminent demise.
Bare walls and empty clothing racks. There's caution tape lining some of the walkways.

Brittany Chang/Insider

The store was as large as any other big retailer, but its perimeter was completely devoid of products.
An empty store with nothing on the shelves. There's caution tape in front of the empty area.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Instead of colorful aisles lined with a variety of products ...
An empty store with nothing on the shelves. There are no people.

Brittany Chang/Insider

... there were stained floors, empty shelves, and scattered moving and cleaning materials.
A pair of discarded shoes in front of a row of tables.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Chunks of the store had already been sectioned off with caution tape to stop any curious customers from going any further …
Empty shelves with caution tape blocking off the rest of the store.

Brittany Chang/Insider

… but it's not like these empty areas would've enticed any eagle-eyed shoppers.
Empty shelves being blocked off by caution tape at an employee's only area.

Brittany Chang/Insider

The sea of empty off-white metal shelves glowed under the bright lights.
Empty white shelves inside of a Kmart.

Brittany Chang/Insider

And the dirty floors once hidden by piles of inventory glared compared to the stark white floors.
Empty shelves under bright white lights.

Brittany Chang/Insider

The only products left to sell were corralled towards the center of the store.
Packed racks of clothing with signs show the discount.

Brittany Chang/Insider

And whatever remained was heavily discounted, a perfect playground for the handful of budget shoppers picking away at these discounted racks.
A white sign showing updated pricing with items 25% off. There's a "Despicable Me" DVD next to this sign.

Brittany Chang/Insider

It seemed like every shopper was ignoring the collection of naked mannequin torsos being offered at $50 a piece.
Mannequins sitting on a shelf with an orange tag reading $50 .

Brittany Chang/Insider

But there was still a diverse selection of inventory, like full shelves of clothes …
The shoe section with yellow papers denoting the sale price. A person with a shopping cart is staring at the shelf.

Brittany Chang/Insider

… American pantry staples and condiments …
Shelves of sauces, canned goods, condiments for 40% off.

Brittany Chang/Insider

… children's toys like this sole Barbie doll…
A sign reading 50% off toys and children's games. There's one barbie doll left.

Brittany Chang/Insider

… cookware …
Shelves of kitchenware for 40% off.

Brittany Chang/Insider

… and even some home decor.
Home decor items sitting on a shelf.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Even the clothing racks and shelves were on sale.
Bare walls and empty clothing racks.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Some products like this cash machine felt like a flashback to the past, maybe when Kmart was still living out its glory days.
A cash machine on sale.

Brittany Chang/Insider

There was even a small section filled with Mother's Day cards, a holiday that will be celebrated weeks after the Kmart location officially closes its doors.
Rows of Mother's Day cards.

Brittany Chang/Insider

As these shoppers perused, workers continued dismantling displays and shelving units.
Empty shelves with items thrown across the floor. There's a shopping cart filled with more miscellaneous items.

Brittany Chang/Insider

It was hard to not feel nostalgic yet disturbed while walking around.
Bare walls and empty clothing racks. There's a giant red K on the wall. Tables on the floor.

Brittany Chang/Insider

All of the shoppers inside that store are now some of its last paying customers …
A person moving a shopping cart through a cluttered aisle.

Brittany Chang/Insider

… and despite the Kmart's imminent demise, some of the workers were still trying to tidy up the remaining displays.
"Store closing sale!" sign hanging from the ceiling with clothing racks below.

Brittany Chang/Insider

It's the end of another chapter for Kmart's former empire ...
Empty walls next to full clothing racks. There's a shopping cart in the center of the walkway.

Brittany Chang/Insider

... leaving only three remaining holdouts in the US in New Jersey, New York, and Florida.
There's caution tape blocking off part of the store. Cardboard boxes sit on shelves.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Read the original article on Business Insider


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