See inside one of the last 4 Kmart stores in the US days before it closed down forever
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.
Not too long ago, Kmart was a household brand synonymous with bustling stores, errands with your family, and cheeky television advertisements.
Brittany Chang/Insider
But now, Kmart's glory days are in the past.
Brittany Chang/Insider
As Amazon and Walmart continue to dominate, Kmart's sales have tumbled, and with it the number of locations.
Brittany Chang/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.
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.
Brittany Chang/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.
Brittany Chang/Insider
Inside, the Kmart felt cold and lifeless as it slowly waited for its imminent demise.
Brittany Chang/Insider
The store was as large as any other big retailer, but its perimeter was completely devoid of products.
Brittany Chang/Insider
Instead of colorful aisles lined with a variety of products ...
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... there were stained floors, empty shelves, and scattered moving and cleaning materials.
Brittany Chang/Insider
Chunks of the store had already been sectioned off with caution tape to stop any curious customers from going any further …
Brittany Chang/Insider
… but it's not like these empty areas would've enticed any eagle-eyed shoppers.
Brittany Chang/Insider
The sea of empty off-white metal shelves glowed under the bright lights.
Brittany Chang/Insider
And the dirty floors once hidden by piles of inventory glared compared to the stark white floors.
Brittany Chang/Insider
The only products left to sell were corralled towards the center of the store.
Brittany Chang/Insider
And whatever remained was heavily discounted, a perfect playground for the handful of budget shoppers picking away at these discounted racks.
Brittany Chang/Insider
It seemed like every shopper was ignoring the collection of naked mannequin torsos being offered at $50 a piece.
Brittany Chang/Insider
But there was still a diverse selection of inventory, like full shelves of clothes …
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… American pantry staples and condiments …
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… children's toys like this sole Barbie doll…
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… cookware …
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… and even some home decor.
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Even the clothing racks and shelves were on sale.
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.
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.
Brittany Chang/Insider
As these shoppers perused, workers continued dismantling displays and shelving units.
Brittany Chang/Insider
It was hard to not feel nostalgic yet disturbed while walking around.
Brittany Chang/Insider
All of the shoppers inside that store are now some of its last paying customers …
Brittany Chang/Insider
… and despite the Kmart's imminent demise, some of the workers were still trying to tidy up the remaining displays.
Brittany Chang/Insider
It's the end of another chapter for Kmart's former empire ...
Brittany Chang/Insider
... leaving only three remaining holdouts in the US in New Jersey, New York, and Florida.
Brittany Chang/Insider
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