UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                     FORM 15

   CERTIFICATION AND NOTICE OF TERMINATION OF REGISTRATION UNDER SECTION 12(G)
  OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 OR SUSPENSION OF DUTY TO FILE REPORTS
     UNDER SECTIONS 13 AND 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.

                                       Commission File Number     1-9505
                                                               ------------

                              HILLS STORES COMPANY
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


                     2418 MAIN STREET, ROCKY HILL, CT 06067
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of
                   registrant's principal executive offices)


                     COMMON STOCK, PAR VALUE $0.01 PER SHARE
         SERIES A CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK, PAR VALUE $0.10 PER SHARE
                          12 1/2% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2003
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            (Title of each class of securities covered by this Form)


                              SERIES 1993 WARRANTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  (Titles of all other classes of securities for which a duty to file reports
                     under section 13(a) or 15(d) remains)


   Please place an X in the box(es) to designate the appropriate rule
provision(s) relied upon to terminate or suspend the duty to file reports:

Rule 12g-4(a)(1)(i)  |X|                    Rule 12h-3(b)(1)(i)  |X|
Rule 12g-4(a)(1)(ii) |_|                    Rule 12h-3(b)(1)(ii) |_|
Rule 12g-4(a)(2)(i)  |_|                    Rule 12h-3(b)(2)(i)  |_|
Rule 12g-4(a)(2)(ii) |_|                    Rule 12h-3(b)(2)(ii) |_|
                                            Rule 15d-6           |X|


Approximate number of holders of record as of the certification or notice date:
Common Stock and Preferred Stock - 1; Notes - 12.
- -------------------------------------------------

   Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Hills
Stores Company has caused this certification/notice to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned duly authorized person.

Date: 3/19/99                          By: /s/ David H. Lissy
      ------------------                   -------------------------------------
                                           David H. Lissy, Vice President


Instruction: This form is required by Rules 12g-4, 12h-3 and 15d-6 of the
General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The
registrant shall file with the Commission three copies of Form 15, one of which
shall be manually signed. It may be signed by an officer of the registrant, by
counsel or by any other duly authorized person. The name and title of the person
signing the form shall be typed or printed under the signature.


SEC 2069 (8-96)                      NYFS11...:\92\15079\0022\2403\FRMD088K.030