Sears Closes Last SoCal Store, Six Remain Nationally

The Sears store in Burbank, the last traditional Sears location in Southern California, is closing, signifying another major contraction for the struggling retailer. Following the closures of the Burbank and Whittier stores, Sears will be left with only six locations in the U.S., a steep decline from its peak of about 3,500 stores. The Burbank store, which had reopened in 2023, struggled with low customer turnout and negative experiences. Sears has already removed its branding from the Burbank Town Center's website, and no replacement tenant has been announced. The company continues to operate its Home Services division and has sold assets such as Craftsman tools in recent years. Sears' decline reflects a broader trend among legacy department stores, with competitors like JCPenney also facing widespread closures.