CONTACT:

Sears Public Relations And Communications
 
(847) 286-8371

Retail Rewards Programs Gain Traction in Recession

  Sears and Kmart ShopYourWay Rewards Provide Instant Savings to Customers

    HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill., Nov. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- In light of
the recession, consumers are leaning on loyalty programs to stretch
household budgets further by earning rewards for their purchases. Research
shows U.S. consumer participation in rewards programs has increased by
nearly 20 percent since 2007. In fact, nearly one-third of consumers rate
retail rewards programs as "more important" during the recession.(1)

    With the hunger for reward programs on the rise, shopping at Sears and
Kmart just got more "rewarding" with the retailers' new ShopYourWay Rewards
program. Just in time for the holiday season, customers now have a new way
to shop as they can accumulate and spend rewards, receive bonus rewards and
special storewide promotions at Sears Holdings' retailers - Kmart, Sears,
including the Lands' End store at Sears, and mygofer.

    "In this economy, Americans are looking for new ways to get the most
out of their money," said Mike Gatti, executive director, Retail
Advertising and Marketing Association. "Giving shoppers the option of
receiving rewards or bonus points absent of credit cards will likely make a
lasting impression."

    ShopYourWay Rewards allows customers to earn rewards toward purchases
regardless of their method of payment - cash or credit. The rewards are
issued within 48 hours of earning and there is no threshold that needs to
be met in order to receive rewards. The rewards are stored on the
ShopYourWay Rewards Card and members can redeem rewards where and how they
desire. While many loyalty programs are tied to credit card purchases,
Sears and Kmart recognize the importance of giving its customers the choice
to shop their way and still earn benefits.

    "As the holidays are quickly approaching, the timing to take advantage
of the ShopYourWay Rewards program could not be better," said Lou Ramery,
senior vice president, relationship marketing, Sears Holdings. "Now, more
than ever, our customers are looking to stretch their budgets and get more
value when they shop. We've tailored our rewards program to fit their needs
and lifestyles."

    Consumers can register free at any Kmart location or on the
ShopYourWayRewards.com website - to begin accumulating rewards. Specialized
for the on-the-go consumer, it's easy for shoppers to sign up for and track
their ShopYourWay Rewards account online. Each member will have access to
check their transaction history and accrued reward value, redeem rewards,
submit a missing transaction and modify their profile.

    Customers will receive a ShopYourWay Rewards card immediately when they
enroll in a Kmart store and receive their card via mail when they enroll
online. Each time a customer shows their ShopYourWay Rewards card with a
purchase, card holders will earn one percent in rewards as well and are
eligible for storewide bonus rewards - K'ching Surprises at Kmart, and
Craftsman Club and KidVantage rewards at Sears. Customers will earn one
percent in ShopYourWay Rewards plus bonus reward offers in apparel.
Customers, who sign up for KidVantage, will continue to get 15 percent off
after they reach $100 in purchases. And Craftsman Club members who sign up
for Craftsman Club Rewards will see bonus rewards added to their
ShopYourWay Rewards and will receive coupons via e-mail.

    "We believe that it's important to listen to and understand what our
customers need to make their lives better. The ShopYourWay Rewards program
allows us to recognize and extend our gratitude to all of our customers by
giving them a new and exciting way to shop while offering benefits and
rewards at the same time," Ramery continued.

    For more information, visit http://www.shopyourwayrewards.com.

    About Sears Holdings Corporation

    Sears Holdings Corporation 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, home electronics
and automotive repair and maintenance. 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 exclusively 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 Corporation operates through
its subsidiaries, including Sears, Roebuck and Co. and Kmart Corporation.
For more information, visit Sears Holdings' website at
http://www.searsholdings.com.

    (1) Colloquy Research, After the Meltdown: Consumer Attitudes and
Perceptions About Loyalty Programs in the Post-Recession Economy, June 2009


SOURCE Sears Holdings Corporation





 

 
Web site: http://www.sears.com

 https://www.shopyourwayrewards.com/
  

 
Company News On Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/923204.html

  

 
CONTACT: Shannelle Armstrong of Sears Holdings, +1-847-286-0715,
 Shannelle.Armstrong@searshc.com; or Carolyn Goldberg of Euro RSCG
 Worldwide PR, +1-212-367-6947, Carolyn.Goldberg@eurorscg.com, for
 Sears Holdings Corporation