There's No Place Like Home

Sears Roebuck and Co. (Chicago) opened its new downtown store on Wed.,after nine years of having a presence only in the suburbs of itshometown. The 250,000-square-foot store includes an above-average amountof selling space–an attempt to revive slowed apparel sales.

The State-and-Madison St. location isn't the largest Sears store, butthe company feels it is symbolic. “This store has great emotionalsignificance for the company,” says Alan Lacy, ceo. “We are proud to beback in the heart of Sears'hometown, Chicago.”

Sears Roebuck operates approximately 860 department stores and isconsidered the 29th largest U.S. Company on the Fortune 500 list.