HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. (AP) - Following a "challenging" holiday season, Sears will accelerate the closure of some of its stores.
Comparable-store sales in the fourth quarter dropped 6.9 percent at Sears, and 7.2 percent at Kmart, which the also company owns.
While the quarter that contains the critical shopping season was better compared with the previous three quarters, overall same-store sales fell 9.2 percent in 2015, with Sears stores leading the decline.
Shares are down nearly 4 percent before the opening bell.
As for store closures, Sears Holdings Corp. said Tuesday that it will include, but not be limited to, about 50 stores that the company recently announced it would be shuttering in the next few months.
The retailer will release its quarterly and full-year financial results on Feb. 25.