The upcoming closure of three Wisconsin Kmart locations will result in the layoff of 239 employees, according to a mass layoff notices filed with the state of Wisconsin, TODAY'S TMJ4 partner, the Milwaukee Business Journal reported Wednesday.
Parent company Sears Holdings Corp. had announced plans to close its Kmart locations in West Allis, Medford and La Crosse. The West Allis Kmart, 6900 W. Greenfield Ave., and the stores in La Crosse and Medford will close Sept. 3, according to the notices filed with the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development. The closures affect 114 employees in West Allis, 68 in La Crosse and 57 in Medford.
Business Insider originally reported June 6 that the Chicago-based company was planning to slash 72 stores from its fleet.
The closures are part of a larger effort by the struggling department store chain to return to profitability after years of dismal financial results. The company has vigorously slimmed down its store count over the past few years, shedding hundreds of its locations.
Workers will receive severance and have the opportunity to apply for open positions at area Sears or Kmart stores.
Earlier this year, Sears said it was also planning to close Kmart stores in Racine and Platteville.
