Kmart® And Sears® Announce Plans To Win This Holiday Season

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill., Oct. 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Kmart and Sears are gearing up for the holiday shopping season – projected to be the busiest shopping season since 2007* – with the elimination of layaway service fees, a new layaway home delivery service and an enhanced in-store mobile experience.  To take advantage of the expected 3.3 percent increase of U.S. retail sales*, Kmart and Sears customers will enjoy unique holiday offers throughout the season, including special pricing and perks for SHOP YOUR WAY members and gift-worthy products at great prices.

"Sears and Kmart will win this holiday season because we provide best-in-class layaway options, new in-store mobile experiences for added convenience, exclusive products such as Sofia Vergara at Kmart and the Kardashian Kollection at Sears and weekly holiday sales for our customers," said Ron Boire, executive vice president, chief merchandising officer and president, Sears and Kmart formats. "In addition, our SHOP YOUR WAY rewards program is a key differentiator with competitive savings and rewards for members."

Free Layaway, Online Options and Surprises

Whether it is gifts, holiday home decor or apparel for the busy holiday party season, layaway at Kmart and Sears allows customers to plan their purchases and manage budgets with the widest selection of items.  Kmart has eliminated layaway service fees until Nov. 17, and Sears has eliminated layaway service fees from Sept. 29 to Oct. 29, and Nov. 2 to Dec. 3.

For those who prefer to do their holiday shopping at home, customers can shop at kmart.com or sears.com and place items on layaway.  Layaway items can be picked up at the closest Kmart or Sears store – or, for the first time ever – starting Nov. 7, they can opt to have the items shipped to their home.

Customers who use Kmart layaway this year could be in for in a big surprise. Each week from now to Nov. 17 during "The Big Layaway Giveaway," one lucky customer at every Kmart store across the country will win the opportunity to have their remaining layaway balance paid off. ** As part of the promotion, Kmart anticipates paying off more than 13,000 layaway contracts during the holiday season.  

New Technology Offers Shorter Lines

This holiday season, Sears stores throughout the country are rolling out mobile point-of-sale devices to allow for shorter lines and greater convenience.  Customers paying with credit or debit cards can make a purchase right where they are standing and the receipt can be emailed to them, printed or both. Mobile checkout is the next step in Sears Holdings' technological evolution as the company provides more information, improves productivity and enhances communication to better serve customers.  In addition, 500 Sears and Kmart stores recently armed associates with tablet devices that have a special shopping application for checking available inventory, accessing product information and videos, and selling merchandise available in stores or the company's websites right from the selling floor.

Sign Up for SHOP YOUR WAY Exclusive Deals

Share and connect with others about gifts this holiday season through SHOP YOUR WAY. The free rewards program and shopping community allows members to earn points for their purchases at Sears and Kmart. Points can be redeemed at both retailers and members receive extra perks, personalized deals and information.

• At Kmart and Sears, only SHOP YOUR WAY members will receive weekly exclusive deals during the holiday season that offer additional savings.
• When Kmart SHOP YOUR WAY members use their membership card at check-out in store between Nov. 25 and Dec. 24, they are automatically entered for a chance to win instant prizes such as one of 30 trips to Universal Orlando® Resort, and other great prizes.*** Members can also go to www.shopyourway.com/sweepstakes for more ways to win.

In addition to rewards and deals, members can also engage with products, brands and their friends while they shop from the SHOP YOUR WAY site at the same time. It is a great resource for reviews, tips and insider information to find the perfect gift this season.

Gifts to Give and Get

Kmart and Sears make it simple to save on the products customers want to give and get this holiday season.  Kmart's exclusive brands such as Bongo, Dream Out Loud by Selena Gomez, Jaclyn Smith, Sandra Lee, and Sofia Vergara are great for gifting without breaking the bank.  In addition, Kmart will have thousands of items at budget friendly, simple price points of $5, $10 and $20 throughout the holidays.

Sears is offering more than just tools and appliances, it is also the gift destination for electronics, apparel and jewelry.  Shoppers can check out the latest fashion trends from the Kardashians, find the best deals on fine jewelry, shop top brands like Kenmore^®, Craftsman^® and Die Hard^®, or pick-up innovative electronics and accessories.  Sears is the only retailer to carry the top 10 appliance bands and it is the No.1 fitness equipment retailer.

Giving Back

During the holiday season, Kmart and Sears recognize that giving is just as important as gifting and each retailer supports a fundraising campaign.  For the past three years, Kmart has been the largest corporate contributor to the St. Jude Thanks and Giving^® campaign with a $1, $5 or $10 add-on program in stores.  Kmart expects to raise more than $6 million in this year's effort running Oct. 14 to Dec. 29 and has raised nearly $30 million for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital^® since 2006. Sears' Heroes at Home Wish Registry, now in its fifth year, helps Americans give back to military families and make the holidays easier for those who serve our country.  Customers can donate in-store now through Nov. 16.  Donations are distributed via gift card to 20,000 military families the week of Dec. 3.  Since its launch, the program has collected more than $17 million in gift card donations and helped more than 83,000 families.  Donations to the Wish Registry are not tax deductible and will be used to purchase Sears gift cards for registered families.

Editors' note: For more information and images, please visit http://kmartepk.com/ and http://searsepk.com/  

About Sears, Roebuck and Co.

Sears, Roebuck and Co., a wholly owned subsidiary of Sears Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ: SHLD), is a leading broadline retailer providing merchandise and related services and  is part of ShopYourWay, a social shopping experience where members have the ability to earn points and receive benefits across a wide variety of physical and digital formats through ShopYourWay.com.  Sears, Roebuck offers its wide range of home merchandise, apparel and automotive products and services through more than 2,000 Sears-branded and affiliated stores in the United States and Canada, which includes over 810 Full-line and more than 1,270 specialty stores in the U.S.   Sears, Roebuck also offers a variety of merchandise and services through sears.com, landsend.com, and specialty catalogs. Sears, Roebuck offers consumers leading proprietary brands including Kenmore, Craftsman, DieHard and Lands' End -- among the most trusted and preferred brands in the U.S.  The company is the nation's largest provider of home services, with more than 11 million service calls made annually. For more information, visit the Sears, Roebuck website at www.sears.com or the Sears Holdings Corporation website at www.searsholdings.com.

About Kmart

Kmart, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sears Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ: SHLD), is a mass merchandising company and part of ShopYourWay, a social shopping experience where members have the ability to earn points and receive benefits across a wide variety of physical and digital formats through ShopYourWay.com.  Kmart offers customers quality products through a portfolio of exclusive brands that include Sofia by Sofia Vergara, Jaclyn Smith, Joe Boxer, Route 66 and Smart Sense. For more information visit the company's website at www.kmart.com |Sears Holdings Corporation website at www.searsholdings.com.| Facebook: www.facebook.com/kmart

*According to a forecast from research firm ShopperTrak.

** No purchase necessary. A purchase will not increase your chances of winning. Legal residents of the 50 United States (D.C.) and Puerto Rico, 18 years and older. Void where prohibited. Offer valid on new layaway purchases made 9/9/12 thru 11/17/12. For Official Rules, free method of entry, prize descriptions and odds disclosure, visit a participating Kmart location or www.kmart.com/layaway. Sponsor: Sears Holdings Management Corporation, 3333 Beverly Road, Hoffman Estates, IL 60179.

***No purchase or payment of any kind is necessary to enter or win. A purchase will not increase your chance of winning. Void where prohibited. Open to legal residents of the 50 U.S., D.C., and Puerto Rico 18 and older who are Shop Your Way Rewards Members. Promotion begins on 11/25/12 and ends at the close of business at the applicable store on 12/24/12. Play for free without making a purchase at Customer Service. Number of prizes available to be won and odds of winning Instant Win Game will vary during each game period. Subject to Official Rules available at Customer Service and www.kmart.com/surprise. Membership in Shop Your Way Rewards is free; visit Customer Service to join. See Official Rules for number of prizes, odds of winning, and other details. Sponsor: Sears Holdings Management Corporation, 3333 Beverly Rd., Hoffman Estates, IL 60179.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Kmart
Shannelle Armstrong-Fowler    
Sears Holdings 
(847) 286-0715  
[email protected]

Sears
Brian Hanover
Sears Holdings 
(847) 286-6080
[email protected]

SOURCE Sears, Roebuck and Co.; Kmart