Content about Sears

August 16, 2012
Sears Holdings narrows losses in Q2 as comps decline

Sears Holdings, the parent company of Kmart, posted a 3.7% decline in same-store sales and a $132 million loss for second quarter 2012, according to financial results announced Thursday.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Sears Holdings, the parent company of Kmart, posted a 3.7% decline in same-store sales and a $132 million loss for second quarter 2012, according to financial results announced Thursday.

July 18, 2012
Kmart raises more than $106M to benefit March of Dimes

For nearly 30 years, Kmart has been helping to improve the health of babies in partnership with the March of Dimes and, in 2012, the retailer raised $8 million to benefit the organization, bringing Kmart’s total contribution throughout the partnership to $106 million.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. — For nearly 30 years, Kmart has been helping to improve the health of babies in partnership with the March of Dimes and, in 2012, the retailer raised $8 million to benefit the organization, bringing Kmart’s total contribution throughout the partnership to $106 million.

Kmart, which is a subsidiary of Sears Holdings, has made working on behalf of the health and wellness of children a company-wide effort involving management, associates and customers throughout all the company's in-store activities and events.

June 4, 2012
Scott Huckins joins Sears Holdings

Kmart parent company Sears Holdings announced the appointment of Scott Huckins to the post of VP and corporate treasurer.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Kmart parent company Sears Holdings announced the appointment of Scott Huckins to the post of VP and corporate treasurer.

Huckins joins the company from RSC Holdings, where he served as VP and treasurer, responsible for global treasury, credit and investor relations activities.

May 18, 2012
Sears Holdings moves from loss to profit in Q1

Sears Holdings reported profits of $189 million during first quarter 2012, compared with a $165 million loss in first quarter 2011, the company said.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Sears Holdings reported profits of $189 million during first quarter 2012, compared with a $165 million loss in first quarter 2011, the company said.

"We are pleased with the results for the first quarter and our progress toward restoring profit growth and transforming our company," president and CEO Lou D'Ambrosio said.

May 7, 2012
Sears launches localized shopping portal

Sears has launched SearsLocalAd.com, an online service that provides customers with access to additional local deals beyond the weekly Sears print circular or Sears.com.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Sears has launched SearsLocalAd.com, an online service that provides customers with access to additional local deals beyond the weekly Sears print circular or Sears.com.

The online shopping portal is dedicated to local customers, allowing them to shop smarter by previewing new local deals updated every week, and includes enhancements for Sears' Shop Your Way Rewars members.

May 1, 2012
Sears Holdings offers peek at Q1 earnings

Sears Holdings, the parent company of Kmart, expects to make a profit of between $155 million and $195 million in first quarter 2012, compared with a $165 million loss in first quarter 2011, the company said Tuesday.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Sears Holdings, the parent company of Kmart, expects to make a profit of between $155 million and $195 million in first quarter 2012, compared with a $165 million loss in first quarter 2011, the company said Tuesday.

In a statement released in advance of its annual shareholders meeting Wednesday, Sears Holdings said the profit includes $235 million from the sales of stores in the United States and Canada, which generated $440 million of cash proceeds.

February 23, 2012
Sears Holdings posts $3.1 billion loss for 2011

"Integrated retail" was the dominant theme as executives discussed Kmart operator Sears Holdings' plans to restore confidence in the company after a fourth quarter 2011 that even the company's chief executive called "unacceptable" during an earnings call Thursday.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — "Integrated retail" was the dominant theme as executives discussed Kmart operator Sears Holdings' plans to restore confidence in the company after a fourth quarter 2011 that even the company's chief executive called "unacceptable" during an earnings call Thursday.

February 17, 2012
Report: Sears Holdings cuts HQ staff

The owner of Sears and Kmart stores reportedly is cutting 100 jobs at its headquarters in Hoffman Estates, Ill.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — The owner of Sears and Kmart stores reportedly is cutting 100 jobs at its headquarters in Hoffman Estates, Ill.

According to published reports, Sears Holdings spokesman Chris Brathwaite said the cuts cover a range of positions and that the terminated employees were notified Thursday.

The retailer has not said whether additional cuts are planned.

February 17, 2012
Sears falls into fitness

Sears is striving to help customers get healthy with a series of innovations that integrate in-store and online fitness retailing. A key component of the initiative is its “Fitness Flagship” store-within-a-store concept.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Sears is striving to help customers get healthy with a series of innovations that integrate in-store and online fitness retailing. A key component of the initiative is its “Fitness Flagship” store-within-a-store concept.


February 17, 2012
Sears Holdings reaches out to African-American entrepreneurs

Kmart operator Sears Holdings is emphasizing a program that it said is designed to empower African-American entrepreneurs.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Kmart operator Sears Holdings is emphasizing a program that it said is designed to empower African-American entrepreneurs.

The company said it would continue its "Share the Word?" program through 2012, its fifth year, and focus on African-American entrepreneurs with the Own a Sears Store program.

January 6, 2012
Is a turnaround at Sears Holdings on the way?

One of the most enduring rules of business is that when customers stop coming through the door, then the time has come for a reinvention.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — One of the most enduring rules of business is that when customers stop coming through the door, then the time has come for a reinvention.

Recent decisions by Sears Holdings indicate that despite its financial problems, it's not too late for a comeback. The hiring of Ron Boire to head merchandising could give it new direction, while the introduction of the Fitness Flagship store-within-a-store allows Sears to capitalize on an area in which it has long specialized while taking advantage of the growing interest in health and wellness.

January 5, 2012
Sears store-within-a-store concept features fitness equipment

Sears Holdings recently finished its latest "Fitness Flagship" store-within-a-store, which it now has at more than 30 Sears stores, the retailer said.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Sears Holdings recently finished its latest "Fitness Flagship" store-within-a-store, which it now has at more than 30 Sears stores, the retailer said.

Sears Holdings, which operates the Sears and Kmart store chains, said the 6,000-sq.-ft. stores feature polished hardwood stores, tall mirrors and expanded fitness equipment layouts designed to resemble a gym.

January 3, 2012
100 to 120 Kmart, full-line Sears stores to close

Kmart's parent company delivered some not-so-happy holiday news last week.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Kmart's parent company delivered some not-so-happy holiday news last week.

Sears Holdings said last Tuesday that it will close between 100 and 120 underperforming Kmart and Sears stores, following dismal holiday sales results for the brands.

The company said it has not yet identified which stores will be shuttered, but said that the closures are part of an overall plan to shift its focus from shoring up underperformers to concentrating its efforts on stronger stores.

January 3, 2012
Kmart parent brings in a new merchandising leader

Kmart parent company Sears Holdings hired Ron Boire as EVP, chief merchandising officer and president of Sears and Kmart formats.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Kmart parent company Sears Holdings hired Ron Boire as EVP, chief merchandising officer and president of Sears and Kmart formats.

Boire, who previously was president and CEO of Brookstone, will lead merchandising and retail stores for both the Sears and Kmart brands.

"He will work with our leadership team to better serve our customers and Shop Your Way Rewards Members by integrating their experiences across our stores, online, services, and mobile capabilities," the company said.

December 9, 2011
Kmart.com looks to help customers save some 'green'

Kmart.com customers have the opportunity to save up to 70% across popular categories on Dec. 12.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Kmart.com customers have the opportunity to save up to 70% across popular categories on Dec. 12.

The day, dubbed Green Monday by parent company Sears Holdings, provides more than 500 deals that are as good as Cyber Monday prices, the company reported.

The promotion also is being held on Sears.com.

December 1, 2011
Kmart announces holiday promotion for Shop Your Way Rewards members

Kmart is boosting its Shop Your Way Rewards program by offering members the opportunity to earn $50 in points to put toward their January 2012 Kmart purchases.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Kmart is boosting its Shop Your Way Rewards program by offering members the opportunity to earn $50 in points to put toward their January 2012 Kmart purchases.

From Dec. 1 to Dec. 24, Shop Your Way Rewards members who purchase $250 or $500 of qualifying Kmart merchandise can earn up to $50 in points to put towards purchases made from Jan. 1 through Jan. 31, 2012.

November 22, 2011
Kmart, Sears to debut website, mobile enhancements in line with Cyber Monday

In line with the unveiling of its Cyber Monday offerings, Kmart parent company Sears Holdings announced the debut of enhanced features across its e-commerce and m-commerce platforms.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — In line with the unveiling of its Cyber Monday offerings, Kmart parent company Sears Holdings announced the debut of enhanced features across its e-commerce and m-commerce platforms.

November 17, 2011
Sears Holdings reports wider loss in Q3

Kmart operator Sears Holdings reported Thursday that its loss widened in the third quarter on softness in its Canada division and on weaker consumer electronics sales.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Kmart operator Sears Holdings reported Thursday that its loss widened in the third quarter on softness in its Canada division and on weaker consumer electronics sales.

The company recorded a loss of $421 million in the quarter ended Oct. 29, compared with a loss of $218 million a year earlier.

Revenue slipped 1% to nearly $9.6 billion from about $9.7 billion, missing the $9.63 billion expected by Wall Street, and marking the fourth straight quarter of revenue declines.

November 9, 2011
Sears Holdings enters the future of shopping with mobile walls

Sears and Kmart have entered the future of staying connected to consumers introducing mobile shopping walls in high-traffic areas.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Sears and Kmart have entered the future of staying connected to consumers introducing mobile shopping walls in high-traffic areas.

The shopping walls, which will feature top toys that customers can purchase from their smartphones by scanning the products' QR code, will be available in select malls across the United States, and, for Kmart only, in movie theater lobbies in major markets. Additionally, shoppers can find the Sears and Kmart mobile walls in airports in Chicago, Dallas, Denver and Puerto Rico, and at bus shelters nationwide.

November 7, 2011
Conversocial tallies consumer complaint social media scorecard for U.S. retailers

A new report by social media software maker Conversocial examined the customer service offerings of the 10 most loved and most hated retailers in the United States, and how these retailers are meeting the challenge of delivering great social media experiences for their customers.

NEW YORK — A new report by social media software maker Conversocial examined the customer service offerings of the 10 most loved and most hated retailers in the United States, and how these retailers are meeting the challenge of delivering great social media experiences for their customers.

October 31, 2011
Sears, Kmart to 'reward' shoppers just in time for holiday season

With the holiday season just around the corner, Sears Holdings is aiming to make shopping more rewarding by offering five times the Shop Your Way Rewards points — equal to 5% back — on all qualifying purchases.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — With the holiday season just around the corner, Sears Holdings is aiming to make shopping more rewarding by offering five times the Shop Your Way Rewards points — equal to 5% back — on all qualifying purchases.

The offer, which is available to all Sears credit cardholders who also are Shop Your Way Rewards members, begins immediately at both Sears and Kmart stores, and will continue year-round at Kmart. Sears is providing the offer until Jan. 28, 2012.

September 15, 2011
Kmart launches Latina scholarship fund

Kmart is launching a scholarship fund as part of its recognition of National Hispanic Heritage Month.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Kmart is launching a scholarship fund as part of its recognition of National Hispanic Heritage Month.

The mass merchandise retailer announced Thursday the launch of the Latina Smart Fund, promoted through its Latina Smart Facebook page, which will award $25,000 in scholarships to graduating high school seniors and students currently enrolled in college, technical or trade schools.

September 8, 2011
Sears names new supply chain leader

Sears Holdings announced that former UPS executive Raj Penkar is joining the company as SVP and president of the company's supply chain.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Sears Holdings announced that former UPS executive Raj Penkar is joining the company as SVP and president of the company's supply chain.

In his new role, Penkar will be accountable for all aspects of the company's supply chain, including logistics, warehousing, inventory management and distribution. Prior to joining Sears, Penkar worked at UPS for 24 years and most recently served as president of UPS' customer solutions division.

September 1, 2011
Sears, Kmart help support Irene recovery efforts

Sears and Kmart stores announced that they are supporting emergency relief efforts in a dozen states to help residents recover from Hurricane Irene’s damaging winds and floodwaters.

NEW YORK — Sears and Kmart stores announced that they are supporting emergency relief efforts in a dozen states to help residents recover from Hurricane Irene’s damaging winds and floodwaters.

Sears and Kmart stores will offer discounts on recovery items in stores throughout Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont.

Key discounts include:

Kmart:

August 24, 2011
Sears engages social media for charitable campaign

Sears announced that it is inviting Facebook users to support America's military members by voting for the Sears Rebuilding Together affiliate program, which they believe is the most deserving.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Sears announced that it is inviting Facebook users to support America's military members by voting for the Sears Rebuilding Together affiliate program, which they believe is the most deserving.

Voting will take place through Sept. 23, and based on total vote tallies, Sears and Rebuilding Together will award 25 overall grants totaling $250,000 to Rebuilding Together affiliates at platinum, gold, silver and bronze levels.