But it's not clear whether Sears will enjoy a second life, or if a second bankruptcy and permanent closure looms in its future. Why Sears could survivePlenty of companies have emerged from bankruptcy and gone on to financial success. The new Sears will have only a fraction of the debt load with which the old company struggled. Most of the 425 stores that are part of the sale were profitable right up to its bankruptcy filing. Sears also intends to shift to smaller stores — about 12,500 square feet each, rather than the 160,000 square feet of a typical store anchoring a mall.

Source: CNN February 09, 2019 16:07 UTC