Sears Closing 70+ More Stores: What Minnesota Ones Will Remain?

TWIN CITIES, MN — Sears is closing at least 72 more locations across the country, the beleaguered retailer said on Thursday. The announcement follows a decision made earlier this year to shutter more than 100 stores.

Liquidation sales will begin as early as June 14 at these closing stores.

The Minnesota stores that were listed Thursday in the new round of closures are:

• Sears, Shingle Creek Crossing — Brooklyn Center
• Kmart 215 North Central Avenue — Duluth
• Sears, Miller Hill Mall — Duluth

That leaves just three remaining Sears store locations in Minnesota, not including appliance outlets, HomeTown stores or auto centers:

• Saint Paul
• Minnetonka
• Bloomington (Mall of America)

"As part of our ongoing efforts to streamline the Company's operations and focus on our Best Stores, we have identified approximately 100 non-profitable stores, 72 of which will begin store closing sales in the near future," the Illinois-based company said in a statement. "We continue to evaluate our network of stores, which are a critical component in our transformation, and will make further adjustments as needed and as warranted."

Sears reported a net loss of $424 million during the first quarter of 2018. During the first quarter last year, Sears saw earnings of $245 million, due in part to a $492 million gain related to the sale of the Craftsman brand.

"In a challenging quarter, we continued to focus on our strategic transformation, identifying additional opportunities to streamline operations and adjust inventory and operating expenses while staying focused on our Best Members, Best Categories and Best Stores," Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Holdings Edward S. Lampert said in a statement.

Shannon Antinori contributed to this report

Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images