I Have Fond Memories Of Kmart’s ‘Blue Light Special’ Events
Kmart originated as the S.S. Kresge Company, established in 1899 by Sebastian Spurling Kresge. He began his retail journey working with John McCrory in Memphis, Tennessee. After parting ways with McCrory, Kresge took full ownership of the store and expanded, opening multiple locations across eight cities from Chicago to Pittsburgh.
From the 1920s to the 1960s, Kresge’s stores grew consistently. In 1962, under the leadership of retail innovator Harry Cunningham, the company entered the large-scale discount market with the launch of the first full-sized Kmart in Michigan. At this time, there were two Kmart stores already operating, coinciding with the opening of the first Walmart in Rogers, Arkansas. Both Cunningham and Walmart’s founder, Sam Walton, drew inspiration from a store in Rhode Island run by Anne and Hope.
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In 1965, Kmart introduced the “Blue Light Special,” a marketing strategy to highlight discounted products, with the iconic announcement “Attention Kmart Shoppers” broadcasted over the loudspeaker. By 1976, S.S. Kresge achieved a remarkable milestone by opening 271 stores in just one year, becoming the first retailer to create 17 million square feet of retail space in that timeframe. During its peak, Kmart featured products promoted by celebrities like Jaclyn Smith and Martha Stewart. By 1977, Kmart stores were responsible for nearly 95 percent of S.S. Kresge’s sales, leading to the company’s rebranding as Kmart Corporation to better represent its focus.