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Kmart Seeks Lender Concessions: Troy, Mich.-based Kmart Corp., struggling to regain profitability, is asking lenders for concessions so it can reduce the risk of default on $681 million of debt, if the No. 2 U.S. retailer’s credit rating slips below investment grade. The debt, consisting of real estate loans for 60 stores, enables holders, primarily insurance companies and major bank lenders, to demand repayment in a so-called put option if Kmart becomes a junk-bond rated company. Kmart’s survival may be at stake. The company reported a loss of $54 million, or 12 cents a share, in its fiscal second quarter and probably will report a fiscal third-quarter loss, analysts say. Last week, Kmart said October same-store sales rose 2.4%, its worst monthly sales increase this year.