Kmart was incorporated way back in 1899 as S. S. Kresge Corp and renamed Kmart Corp in 1977. At its peak in 1994, there were some 2,489 global locations. After that time, due to increased competition online and from Walmart and Target, Kmart has struggled and in 2002 they filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Despite efforts to revitalize the brand including a merger with Sears, Kmart has continued to close stores and has decided to focus more online.