Kmart closing Vineland store

"Until then, the store will remain open for customers," said Howard Riefs, corporate communications director for Sears Holdings Corporation, which operates Kmart and Sears retail locations.

Riefs said Sears stores, which include one on West Landis Avenue, are not affected by the decision.

"Store closures are part of a series of actions we're taking to reduce ongoing expenses, adjust our asset base, and accelerate the transformation of our business model," Riefs said. "These actions will better enable us to focus our investments on serving our customers and members through integrated retail — at the store, online and in the home.

"Our investments in Shop Your Way and Integrated Retail enable us to migrate the shopping activity of highly engaged members who previously shopped these closed stores to alternative channels," he added. "As a result, we hope to retain a portion of the sales previously associated with these stores by nurturing and maintaining our relationships with the members that shopped these locations."

A liquidation sale begins July 26 at the Vineland store, which is on a nearly 15-acre property at 3850 S. Delsea Drive at the Millville border. The store opened in August 1976.

Sandy Forosisky, the city's economic development director, said the closing was anticipated.

"I had received a phone call several months ago from a retailer who was inquiring about the property," Forosisky said. "It is an opportunity for the property to be redeveloped. The location is great for the right retailer."

Riefs said the Vineland store has 74 employees, most of them part time. "Those associates that are eligible will receive severance and have the opportunity to apply for open positions at area Sears or Kmart stores," he said.

The Vineland store is the only Kmart closing in New Jersey. The closest Kmarts are in Mantua and Glassboro.

Kmart is advising customers with layaway contracts to pay off the contract early or transfer it to either another store or online.

"This does entail canceling the contract and re-creating it," Riefs said. "This can be initiated by our customers and done by an associate, in-store. We are communicating with our layaway customers as they come in weekly to make their payments. We truly apologize for any customer inconvenience."

Joseph P. Smith; (856) 563-5252; jsmith@gannettnj.com