EVERLAST WORLDWIDE Signs Exclusive Direct-to-Retail License With Sears Holdings

NEW YORK, Dec. 16, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- EVERLAST WORLDWIDE INC. (EVERLAST), the global fight sports and fitness brand, today announced the signing of a long-term, direct-to-retail licensing deal with Sears Holdings, the nation's fourth largest broadline retailer.

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EVERLAST has given Sears Holdings the U.S. license for the EVERLAST brand in their 850 Sears doors and the EVERLAST SPORT brand in 1,325 Kmart doors as well as launching on sears.com and kmart.com. The long-term agreement gives Sears and Kmart the rights to the EVERLAST brand for apparel, footwear and accessories for men, women and kids. Sears and Kmart plan to launch the brand nationwide beginning in the spring of 2011.

"As we continue to celebrate our 100-year anniversary, we could not be any more proud to announce this landmark agreement for the EVERLAST brand with Sears and Kmart.  The brand will have unprecedented retail distribution and marketing in the apparel, footwear and accessories categories," said Neil Morton, CEO of Everlast. "We believe the authenticity and individuality of this global brand will resonate with loyal Sears and Kmart customers who demand quality products and iconic brands."

The EVERLAST and EVERLAST SPORT brand launches, in Sears and Kmart respectively, will be supported by national advertising, public relations, social media, and sports marketing campaigns starting in 2011.

"We are pleased to be working with a global, iconic fitness brand like EVERLAST," said John Goodman, EVP for Apparel and Home at Sears Holdings. "With this agreement, we will add an authentic fitness brand to our Sears and Kmart stores, offering quality apparel and footwear to our customers from a brand they know and trust. We are committed to providing our customers the best brands at a great value, and our agreement with EVERLAST allows us to bring them one of the premier authentic athletic brands on the market today."

EVERLAST wholesale and licensed boxing, MMA and fitness equipment will continue to be sold through sporting goods and sports specialty retailers across the country and will remain dedicated to being a market leader in the fight sports retail space.

About Everlast Worldwide Inc.

The preeminent brand in boxing since 1910, Everlast is the world's leading manufacturer, marketer and licensor of boxing, MMA and fitness equipment.  From heavyweight champion Jack Dempsey and middle weight legend Sugar Ray Robinson to the undisputed middleweight champion Jermain Taylor and UFC champion Randy Couture, Everlast is the brand of choice for generations of world champion professional athletes.  Built on a brand heritage of strength, dedication, individuality and authenticity, Everlast is a necessary part of the lives of countless champions.  Based in Manhattan, Everlast's products are sold across more that 75 countries and 6 continents.  Everlast is a wholly owned subsidiary of Brands Holdings Limited, a global company and manager of worldwide sporting goods and apparel brands. For more information, visit www.everlast.com.

About Sears Holdings

Sears Holdings is the nation's fourth largest broadline retailer with approximately 3,900 full-line and specialty retail stores in the United States and Canada. Sears Holdings is the leading home appliance retailer as well as a leader in tools, lawn and garden, consumer electronics and automotive repair and maintenance. Sears Holdings is the 2010 ENERGY STAR ® Retail Partner of the Year. Key proprietary brands include Kenmore, Craftsman and DieHard, and a broad apparel offering, including such well-known labels as Lands' End, Jaclyn Smith and Joe Boxer, as well as the Apostrophe and Covington brands. It also has the Country Living collection, which is offered by Sears and Kmart. We are the nation's largest provider of home services, with more than 12 million service calls made annually. Sears Holdings operates through its subsidiaries, including Sears Roebuck and Co. and Kmart. For more information, visit Sears Holdings' website at http://www.searsholdings.com.

SOURCE Sears Holdings