The Daily Mall Reader: Kmart Bargains

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"Bargains with Few Frills"

TIME Magazine - Monday, Aug. 25, 1980

(Excerpt) Other department stores may try to win back recession-scarred consumers with glamorized décor, personalized service and accordion-like credit arrangements. But K mart Corp, knows that the way to the shopper's heart is still through the pocketbook. Most of the 1,750 stores around the country that show off the company's big red K are riding out the recession relatively well, and the discount chain may displace Sears, Roebuck and Co. as the U.S.'s leading retailer.

K mart has prospered because of a no-frills policy that places the premium on value. In stores that usually have the ambience of a supermarket, customers can wander amid clothing, lawn chairs and stereos, rarely encountering a sales assistant. But the prices, as much as 15% below those at tonier stores, make up for the inconvenience.

Read the full article here.