Sears Holdings Continues Commitment to the Military With Launch of Permanent Change of Station Promise

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill., April 12, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- As a longstanding supporter of the military and military families, Sears Holdings (Nasdaq: SHLD) has announced the launch of its Permanent Change of Duty Station (PCS) Promise. The PCS Promise was created to support Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden's Joining Forces initiative, which raises awareness around the challenges that military personnel and their spouses endure when moving from one community to another. The PCS Promise, which helps military associates and spouses employed by Sears Holdings secure job transfers, is aligned with the Joining Forces initiative, which asks the nation to support our brave service members.

"The Sears Holdings PCS Promise for our military associates and their spouses was specifically created to identify new opportunities for our heroes to continue leading successful careers, regardless of their location," said Lou D'Ambrosio, chief executive officer of Sears Holdings. "And it is an honor to offer this promise at the same time that Michelle Obama and Dr. Biden are leading the charge in the Joining Forces initiative, which is committed to providing heroes the support and opportunity they deserve."

In many cases, military spouses move from one community to another when their spouses are reassigned. On top of the stress of uprooting children and relocating to a new community, military spouses are often faced with the difficulty of continuing their careers or finding a new job in their new location. With the PCS Promise, Sears Holdings will do everything in its power to give military associates who are employed by the retailer a job at a Sears, Kmart or Lands' End store convenient to their new location.

Sears Holdings will also conduct a virtual career fair for military spouses this summer that will enable them to connect online with other military spouses currently employed with the company and get information on employment opportunities at nearly 4,000 store locations.

"From our experience, we know that military associates are driven, motivated and have leadership skills that can only help our company grow. We win by keeping talented, experienced employees working in our stores," D'Ambrosio added.

In addition to the promise, Sears will continue to offer additional opportunities through its existing Heroes at Home program. The Heroes at Home program has provided the means for hundreds of military families to shop for in-demand items and necessities during the holidays through its Wish Registry, and the program will continue to provide support to service members, veterans and their families through joint efforts with various nonprofit organizations, including Rebuilding Together and the USO. The program has already helped hundreds of deserving military families by raising more than $21 million to support the rebuilding of more than 1,000 homes by the end of 2011.

About Sears Holdings Corporation

Sears Holdings Corporation is the nation's fourth largest broadline retailer with over 4,000 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 2011 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 11 million service calls made annually. 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.

SOURCE Sears Holdings Corporation