Do you remember the good old days of Kmart’s “Blue Light Special”? I certainly do! Let’s take a trip down memory lane and learn more about the history of this iconic retail store.
Kmart was born in 1899 as the S.S Kresge Company, thanks to the vision of Sebastian Spurling Kresge. He started his career working with another retail giant named John McCrory in Memphis, Tennessee. However, Kresge eventually became the sole owner of the store after parting ways with his partner.
From the 1920s to the 1960s, Kresge’s stores grew steadily, expanding to eight cities between Chicago and Pittsburgh. But it was in 1962 that Kmart took a significant leap forward. Retail pioneer Harry Cunningham built the first full-sized Kmart in Michigan, marking the store’s entry into the large-scale discount market.
Around the same time, another retail giant was emerging: Walmart. Inspired by Anne and Hope’s store in Rhode Island, Kmart and Walmart opened their first stores almost simultaneously. The competition was heating up!
In 1965, Kmart introduced its famous “Blue Light Special” to grab shoppers’ attention. If you happened to be in the store and heard the announcement, “Attention Kmart Shoppers,” it meant that there was a special sale happening. Shoppers flocked to the designated area to snag discounted products, creating an exciting shopping experience.
Kmart’s success continued to soar. In 1976, S.S. Kresge made history by opening a remarkable 271 stores in just one year, covering 17 million square feet of sales space. It became the first retailer ever to achieve such an incredible feat.
During its heyday, Kmart even collaborated with celebrities like Jaclyn Smith and Martha Stewart, who endorsed their products. In 1977, Kmart stores accounted for nearly 95 percent of S.S. Kresge’s sales, prompting the company to change its name to Kmart Corporation.
The “Blue Light Special” and the exciting atmosphere it created are cherished memories for many of us. It was a time when shopping was an adventure, and you never knew what great deal you would find at Kmart.
As we look back on those days, let’s celebrate the impact that Kmart had on the retail industry and the fond memories it left behind.
