Kmart’s “Blue Light Special” – Boy, do I remember those days

Kmart was born as the S.S Kresge Company in 1899. The company was founded by Sebastian Spurling Kresge.

He started his career working with another giant retailer named John McCrory in Memphis, Tennessee.

However, after the partners went separate ways, Kresge became the store’s sole owner. Soon, he built several stores in eight cities between Chicago and Pittsburgh.

Kresge’s stores expanded steadily from the 1920s to the 1960s.

Then, in 1962, retail pioneer Harry Cunningham drove the retailer into the large-scale discount market with the construction of the first full-sized Kmart in Michigan.

Two Kmart locations had opened when the first Walmart store opened in Rogers, Arkansas. Harry Cunningham and Sam Walton, founders of Walmart, were inspired by Anne and Hope’s store based in Rhode Island.

In 1965, the “Blue light special” was introduced to advertise products on sale at Kmart.

“Attention Kmart Shoppers” became the announcement that was heard over the loudspeaker to alert the shoppers.

By 1976, S.S. Kresge made history by opening 271 stores in 1 year. It also became the first-ever retailer to launch 17 million square feet of sales space in a single year. In its successful days, Kmart sold products endorsed by various celebrities like Jaclyn Smith & Martha Stewart. In 1977, nearly 95 percent of the S.S Kresge sales were generated by Kmart stores, and soon it changed its name to Kmart Corporation to reflect this.

Related Posts

When Your Child Shuts You Out: How to Reconnect Without Losing Yourself

There are few pains more piercing than watching your child—whether young or grown—treat you with disinterest, distance, or even disrespect. You may find yourself asking: Where did…

How True Love Shows Itself During Int.im.acy

7 Signs He Truly Loves You During Intimacy Love often speaks loudest through the subtle, vulnerable moments shared with a partner. Here are seven signs that show…

What’s Growing in Your Leftover Rice? The Fridge Isn’t Always Safe

Most of us don’t think twice before tossing leftover rice into the fridge. It’s a popular habit: cook a big batch, store the rest, and reheat it…

Melt-in-Your-Mouth French Onion Beef: A Slow Cooker Classic with Just 3 Ingredients

There’s something deeply comforting about the smell of slow-cooked beef filling the house. For many, it recalls Sunday dinners, family gatherings, or cozy nights when a hot…

7 Early Signs Your Heart May Be in Danger – Don’t Ignore #3!

Your heart works tirelessly every second of the day to keep you alive — but when it’s in trouble, it often mutters before it screams. Heart disease…

In Several Regions, While Using Their Toilets, People Were Attacked By…

Dangers: Snake Bites from Toilets Understanding how snakes enter bathrooms, the health risks they pose, and how to stay safe Snake encounters in toilets may seem like…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *