Roebuck and Company Sears

Founded in 1892 by Richard Warren Sears and Alvah Curtis Roebuck, Sears, Roebuck and Company began as a mail-order business and grew into one of the best-known retailers in the United States. The company later expanded from catalogs into brick-and-mortar stores, with its first retail locations opening in 1925.

Sears became famous for making a huge range of goods available to households across the country, especially through its catalogs. Over time it developed widely recognized brands and grew into a dominant force in American retail, remaining especially prominent through much of the 20th century.

The story of Sears is closely tied to the ambitions of its founders, particularly Richard Sears, whose early business instincts helped shape the company’s rise. Even as the retail world changed and the company declined from its peak, Sears remained an important chapter in the history of American shopping and mail-order business.