Sears & Roebuck wasn’t just a retailer — it was the backbone of American consumer life for more than a century. From the revolutionary mail-order catalog that reached rural America, to suburban shopping malls anchored by Sears stores, the company shaped how generations of Americans bought, lived, and dreamed. In this episode of The Tom Gulley Show, Tom explores the extraordinary rise of Sears & Roebuck, how it became one of the most powerful corporations in U.S. history, and the series of strategic missteps, cultural shifts, and leadership failures that led to its stunning decline. This is a story about innovation, hubris, capitalism, and what happens when a company that once defined the future fails to understand it. Topics explored include: The creation of the Sears catalog and its impact on American life How Sears revolutionized retail, logistics, and consumer trust The role of Sears in shaping modern suburbia and shopping malls Internal corporate decisions that weakened the brand The influence of Wall Street, private equity, and short-term thinking Why Sears couldn’t adapt to e-commerce and changing consumer behavior What the collapse of Sears reveals about American business culture This episode is essential viewing for anyone interested in business history, American culture, retail strategy, or how iconic institutions fall apart — often from the inside. thetomgulleyshow.com