Big plans for Sears Outlet Stores in Kansas City
A big boost to the supply chain infrastructure of Sears Outlet Stores is expected to come online in the fall when the company reopens a revamped Sears facility in Kansas City, Missouri.
Sears Outlet Stores, a subsidiary of Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores, has leased the former Sears location on E Front Street, expanding Outlet Store operations and services.
"We've processed product and remained open to the public during the repurposing process, as we continue to renovate and expand the facility previously occupied by Sears Holdings," said Peter Nero, VP real estate for Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores. He added that Sears has been a presence in the community since 1968.
Originally leased by Sears Holdings Corp., the facility included warehousing, distribution, repair service and a Sears Outlet retail location. The lease of the 354,000-sq.-ft. property was taken over by Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores earlier this year. As Sears Holdings Corporation wound down its operations in this location, situated on railroad tracks, Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores saw the opportunity to expand and began repurposing and renovating the facilities in the Spring of 2014. The company expects to have the project complete and operations fine-tuned by early fall of this year.
The company said the massive size of this location allowed Sears Outlet Stores the ability to develop a new central distribution center for the South-Central region. This new repair and distribution center is expected to create nearly 160 new jobs to be filled by Kansas City locals.
In addition to the development of this new distribution center, Sears Outlet Stores have invested in updating and remodeling both its retail location and the building's exterior. The retail space in this location has expanded over 50%, increasing the selection of home appliances, lawn and garden equipment, tools, sporting goods and household goods.
The retail store now has more than 27,000 sq. ft. of retail selling space.