Sears® And Kmart® Connect Online And In-Store Experiences To Power A More Efficient Holiday Shopping Season

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill., Nov. 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Sears and Kmart are prepared to deliver the customized shopping and shipping experiences customers are looking for this holiday season. A variety of capabilities are offered to empower customers to shop for anything, anywhere, anytime, and allow them the convenience of faster and more affordable on-time delivery. Additionally, SHOP YOUR WAY REWARDS(SM) Members can receive additional benefits this holiday season to make their shopping experience even more rewarding.

While convenience and peace of mind are among the many benefits of online shopping according to a recent Sears Online Holiday Shopping Survey*, most Internet shoppers list shipping costs as their primary frustration with online gift buying. Knowing the importance that customers place on the cost of shipping, Sears and Kmart offer free shipping on orders of $49 or more at Sears.com, Kmart.com, and mygofer.com. This holiday shoppers will find the gifts they need without the stress of shipping costs from more than 50 million items online at Sears.com. Additionally, both Sears and Kmart continue to offer their popular "Buy Online, Pick-up In-Store" option, which allows customers free same-day pick up at their local store and curbside pickup in select Sears locations.

New this year, SHOP YOUR WAY REWARDS Members can upgrade their account to a SHOP YOUR WAY MAX** membership for only $79 a year to enjoy unlimited FREE 2-Day Shipping on many Sears and Kmart mailable items as well as purchase faster shipping upgrades for only 99 cents.  Members also get unlimited FREE standard shipping on millions of mailable Sears, Kmart and select Marketplace items, and Double Points on qualifying purchases. Members can try out the MAX service first with a no obligation 90-day FREE trial membership. Additionally, this year Members with confirmed emails receive five percent back in points when they use their Sears credit card. This offer is available through Feb. 2, 2013 at Sears and for an unlimited time at Kmart. 

"Sears and Kmart are committed to helping Members and customers better manage their lives and budgets, especially during the busy holiday season," said Imran Jooma, senior vice president & president, Online, Marketing, Pricing & Financial Services, Sears Holdings.  "We offer a fully-integrated shopping experience that seamlessly blends online, mobile and in-store shopping, with a SHOP YOUR WAY REWARDS program that delivers even more benefits. Our shopping experience brings millions of products to shoppers' fingertips so they can browse, compare and buy in a way that is most convenient for them. And then have those products delivered either free or at a low cost."

The Sears and Kmart shopping experiences were designed to meet the needs of today's online and in-store holiday shopper, as well as the growing number of customers who prefer to do a little of both. The Sears Online Holiday Survey further shows that almost nine out of 10 online shoppers admit they've become more efficient because of the Internet and that shopping for presents is effortless, rather than overwhelming.

However they shop, customers can take advantage of the following customized shopping and shipping options this holiday:

• Free Shipping: Shoppers can enjoy Free Shipping on orders of $49 or more at Sears.com, Kmart.com and mygofer.com.  In addition, SHOP YOUR WAY MAX Members receive unlimited Free Shipping with no order minimums.
• Faster Shipping: Faster delivery on thousands of items at Sears.com, Kmart.com and mygofer.com.
• Buy Online, Pick Up In-Store: This service is available at Sears.com and Kmart.com and features free same-day pick up at a local store and curbside pickup in select locations. Purchases made from Sears.com or through any of its mobile offerings are backed by Sears' "Ready in 5 Guarantee," which promises customers that their confirmed pick up orders on select items will be ready within five minutes or they'll be rewarded with a $5 Sears coupon.
• Same-Day Delivery: Holiday shoppers can also reap the benefits of same day delivery of top holiday gifts from toys and electronics to foods and fashionable slippers in 20 major markets powered by mygofer.com.
• Layaway Ship-to-Home: Beginning Nov. 7 all products purchased through online layaway at Kmart.com and Sears.com are available for ship-to-home delivery. Kmart has removed layaway service fees through Nov. 21; Sears has eliminated layaway service fees through Dec. 3.

For more information, please visit www.sears.com, www.kmart.com, www.mygofer.com and www.shopyourway.com.

*The Sears Online Holiday Shopping Survey was conducted between October 26th and October 31st, 2012 among 1,015 nationally representative Americans ages 18 and over, using an email invitation and an online survey. Quotas are set to ensure reliable and accurate representation of the entire U.S. population ages 18 and over.

** SHOP YOUR WAY MAX applies only to mailable items sold by Sears & Kmart and select Marketplace products.

About Sears Holdings Corporation

Sears Holdings Corporation is a leading integrated retailer with over 2,600 full-line and specialty retail stores in the United States and Canada and the home of SHOP YOUR WAY, 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 Holdings is the leading home appliance retailer as well as a leader in tools, lawn and garden, fitness equipment and automotive repair and maintenance. Key proprietary brands include Kenmore, Craftsman and DieHard, with a broad apparel offering, including such well-known labels as Lands' End, the Kardashian Kollection, Jaclyn Smith and Joe Boxer, as well as Sofia by Sofia Vergara and The Country Living Home Collection. We are the nation's largest provider of home services, with more than 15 million service and installation calls made annually and have a long-established commitment to those who serve in the military through initiatives like the Heroes at Home program. We have been named the 2011 Mobile Retailer of the Year, Recipient of the 2012 ENERGY STAR® "Corporate Commitment Award" for Product Retailing and Energy Management and one of the Top 20 Best Places to Work for Recent Grads. Sears Holdings Corporation operates through its subsidiaries, including Sears, Roebuck and Co. and Kmart Corporation.  For more information, visit Sears Holdings' website at www.searsholdings.com. Twitter: @searsholdings | |Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SHCCareers.

SOURCE Sears Holdings Corporation