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Sears, Roebuck and Company is a large chain of department stores found throughout America.  The company is best known for its brands that include Toughskins, Roebuck, Kenmore, Craftsman and Die Hard.

The company originated from founder Richard Sears selling watches that he had acquired while working as a railroad station agent.  Sales of the watches increased and he soon started selling merchandise through mail-order catalogs.  He then moved to Chicago, Illinois where he met Alvah Roebuck who joined him in the business. In 1893, the company declared its corporate business name as Sears, Roebuck and Co.

Sears expanded its line of goods and targeted farmers with the mail order catalog. By 1894, the catalog had grown to 322 pages including cars, sewing machines, sporting goods and farming goods and became known as the “Consumer Bible” and the “Christmas Wish Book.” Through its mail order sales, Sears developed a reputation for customer satisfaction and quality.

Sears first retail store opened in Chicago in 1925.  After World War II, retail stores were expanded to suburban shopping malls, which became the backbone of the company’s sales.