Sears Holdings has released a partial  list of Sears and K mart 
stores that will close as the company deals with declining sales
and a disappointing holiday season. (See PDF document).

Stores in Delaware and adjacent areas escaped the cuts  for now.
However, as many as 40 additonal stores could close. Delaware
stores are often the last to close when retailers downsize, due to
the state’s lack of a sales tax.

Florida will be hit the hardest by the closing of  stores,
losing 11, according to the  preliminary list of 79 planned
closures.

Ohio, Michigan and Georgia are not far behind with six store
closures planned in their states. Tennessee, North Carolina and
Minnesota are set to lose four stores each.

A spokeswoman for Sears Holding Corp. said each store employs
between 40 and 80 people.

The projected closings represent only about 3 percent of Sears
Holdings’ U.S. stores. Sears and Kmart merged in 2005. The company
now has about 3,560 stores in the U.S.

Retail analysts are also suggesting a more drastic makeover for
Sears and Kmart.

In an interview with WDEL radio, Wilmington, one analyst called
K mart a dead brand and suggested that Sears focus on its tools and
other hard goods and perhaps  focus other stores on its Lands End
clothing line.

Sears and Kmart were combined several years ago under the
leadership of investor Edward Lampert. At the time, it was
speculated that Lampert would profit from selling off store sites 
as the retailer shrunk.

Sales have taken a hit over the years  as Walmart, Target,
Kohls, Dollar General  and other retailers ate away at its key
markets. A tough economy also took its toll. – Includes
dispatches from the Associated Press