DENNIS SEID Retailers this year along have announced the closing of some 3,500 stores across the U.S. The most recent was HHGregg, which said it was shuttering 220 stores. A week earlier, Payless said it was closing 400 stores, and before that it was J.C. Penney announcing it was closing 138 location. Just look at some of the iconic retailers closing stores. Sears is shutting down about 10 percent of its Sears and Kmart locations, or 150 stores.