Fortune USA 201906

(Chris Devlin) #1

SE VEN


DEC ADE S


OF SEL F -


DESTRUCTION


Sears’bankruptcy filing
last year sparked torrents
of criticism for its current
leaders. But the problems
that brought down this
former Fortune 500 stalwart
date way back to the
Eisenhower era. Here’s what
leaders can learn from an
icon’s slow-motion collapse.
By GEOFF COLVIN with PHIL WAHBA

sears holdings

n. a. –37.2%


TOTAL RETURN TO SHAREHOLDERS


REVENUES (2008–2018 ANNUAL RATE)


$13.2 BILLION


500 R ANK


– $1.7 BILLION


PROFITS


89,000


EMPLOYEES


*SEARS HOLDINGS FILED FOR CHAPTER 11 BANKRUPTCY 10/15/18.


REVENUE AND PROFITS ARE FOR THE 12 MONTHS THROUGH 10/31/18.


EMPLOYEE FIGURE IS AS OF 1/31/18.


*


PHOTOGRAPH BY MIKE SEGAR—REUTERS

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