Sears traces its origins back to the late nineteenth century when Richard Warren Sears started selling watches, quickly partnering with Alvah Curtis Roebuck to launch a mail-order catalog company that transformed American retail. Throughout the twentieth century, Sears grew into the largest retailer in the United States, anchored by its iconic department stores, proprietary brands like Craftsman and Kenmore, and sprawling suburban shopping mall developments. However, failures to adapt swiftly to the digital e-commerce revolution and shifting consumer preferences led to severe financial decline, culminating in corporate restructurings and Chapter 11 bankruptcy filings.