And the hits just keep on rolling… by Bryan Strawser · Jan 15, 2003 Kmart Closes 326 Stores and Eliminates Over 30,000 Jobs. Kmart Corp. will close 326 stores and cut 30,000-35,000 jobs as it works to emerge from bankruptcy by April 30, the retailer said today. By The Associated Press. [New York Times: NYT HomePage]