Sears to shrink at Willow Grove mall

Troubled retailer Sears said it will lease part of its Willow Grove Park Mall store to European fashion retailer Primark.

Late last year, Sears Holdings Corp. announced similar arrangements at its stores in King of Prussia and at a Long Island location.

At Willow Grove, the Sears store and Auto Center will continue to operate in 96,000 square feet on the lower level. Primark will lease approximately 77,500 square feet, mostly on the second level.

The mall is owned and operated by Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust, or PREIT. The Sears downsizing will continue at four more locations that the company said it will announce later.

- Reid Kanaley