A troubling sign that Sears is close to death

sears store closed

Sears used to rule American retail.

But the troubled retailer’s sales are continuing to decline, falling nearly 14% in the most recent quarter. Shares at Sears Holding Corp. are at a multiyear low, and the brand is continuing to close stores.

The most troubling sign of all?

Sears isn’t trying to get better, Steven Azarbad, chief investment officer at Maglan Capital and an expert in distressed retail companies, told Business Insider.