I Have Vivid Memories Of Kmart’s ‘Blue Light Special’ Days

Kmart traces its origins to the S.S. Kresge Company, founded in 1899 by Sebastian Spurling Kresge. Originally a partnership with John McCrory in Memphis, Tennessee, Kresge later became the sole owner of the company. By the 1920s, Kresge had expanded to eight cities between Chicago and Pittsburgh.

In 1962, Harry Cunningham, a retail pioneer, launched Kmart into the large-scale discount market with the opening of the first full-sized Kmart store in Michigan. This move coincided closely with the opening of Walmart’s first store in Rogers, Arkansas, founded by Sam Walton, who drew inspiration from a Rhode Island store named Anne and Hope.
WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW:

The iconic “Blue Light Special” was introduced in 1965 to highlight products on sale at Kmart, accompanied by the famous announcement, “Attention Kmart Shoppers,” over the store’s loudspeakers.

By 1976, S.S. Kresge had expanded to 271 stores in a single year, marking a significant milestone in retail history by launching 17 million square feet of sales space. Kmart’s success was further boosted by product endorsements from celebrities like Jaclyn Smith and Martha Stewart. In 1977, reflecting its dominant role within S.S. Kresge, the company changed its name to Kmart Corporation.