Midwest

HOFFMAN ESTATES, ILL. — In its first-quarter results released today, Sears Holdings Corp. says that it has identified approximately 100 non-profitable stores, 72 of which will begin store-closing sales in the near future. The Hoffman Estates-based retailer had already announced plans to close 103 Kmart and Sears stores nationwide at the beginning of this year. Sears says the closings are part of ongoing efforts to streamline the company’s operations and focus on its best stores. After the 72 store closings, Sears will have 822 Kmart and Sears stores in operation. A full list of store closures can be found here. Sears reported a net loss of $424 million for the first quarter of 2018. This compares to $245 million reported for the first quarter of 2017, which included a gain of $492 million from the sale of the Craftsman brand. Sears generated total revenues of approximately $2.9 billion during the first quarter of 2018, compared with $4.2 billion this time last year, with store closures contributing to nearly two-thirds of the decline. “In a challenging quarter, we continued to focus on our strategic transformation, identifying additional opportunities to streamline operations and adjust inventory and operating expenses,” says Edward Lampert, chairman …