Sears Testing New Prototype

Sears, Roebuck and Co. (Hoffman Estates, Ill.) has announced plans to open its second freestanding prototype store, at Gurnee Mills outlet mall (Gurnee, Ill.).

According to a report in Crain's Chicago Business, this store will become Sears' Midwest outpost for testing a new format aimed at competing with big-box retailers such as Target Corp., according to Sears officials.

The 200,000-square-foot, one-level store is slated to open in spring 2004. Sears will move into a space formerly occupied by Waccamaw Pottery and add onto it. The first pilot standalone store is scheduled to open this fall outside Salt Lake City. Crain's says that Sears plans to open a total of five prototypes by 2005.