Who was the American merchant that founded a successful mail-order jewelry business, which later evolved into Sears?

Richard W. Sears is the correct answer because he was the American merchant who initially started his business by distributing watches and later expanded to a full-scale mail-order catalog that included a variety of goods, including jewelry. Sears' innovative approach to retail in the late 19th century transformed the shopping experience by allowing customers to order goods through the mail, which was quite revolutionary at the time. His company eventually evolved into the well-known Sears, Roebuck and Company, which became a major department store chain in the United States.

The other individuals mentioned, while significant in their own right within the retail industry, were not directly involved in the founding of the mail-order business that evolved into Sears. James Cash Penney was known for JCPenney, a different retail establishment; Henry Selfridge founded the London-based Selfridges department store, and Marshall Field was a prominent retail magnate in Chicago, primarily associated with his own department store. These distinctions clarify the specific contributions of Richard W. Sears to American commerce and the development of mail-order retailing.