College Life Made Simple With Sears

This year, Sears, Roebuck and Co. is bridging the gap between parents and college-bound students with the launch of its new back-to-campus web store, http://simplysearscollege.com/ . The site offers a wide variety of college essentials that students need and want, all from Sears -- a brand that parents trust.

The site is organized in a way that reflects what students will experience when they arrive on campus. From product groupings such as "The joys of a communal bathroom" to "My roommate is a slob," SimplySearsCollege.com provides complete solutions for the everyday realities of campus living. The site also includes student generated checklists and tips for surviving freshman year.

"Sears hopes to make the transition into college life a little easier by offering a comprehensive on-line shopping experience that will make purchasing college gear painless and fun, for everyone," said Lorna Sargent, director of eCommerce content. "We know parents need help getting their kids ready for college and by combining our Sears Holdings resources we have become the ultimate ally for kids and their parents with quality products from Sears, Kmart and Lands' End and content partners like AOL and SparkNotes."

Dorm Room Confessionals

SimplySearsCollege.com is not only a shopping destination; it is a place where students and their parents can get real information about the first years of college. Through a university contest, students submitted video testimonials discussing the highs and lows of college life. From how to make their dorm room feel like home -- think posters, mini-fridges, and bolster beds -- to how to deal with a difficult roommate, the site is a great first look into the next four (or six) years of their life.

Sears also partnered with AOL and SparkNotes (books created by Harvard students that lend insight into studying, writing papers and just plain college survival) to create custom content including packing checklists for warm or cold weather climates, tips for move-in day, advice on how to make sure you get the bed you want, plus insight into campus terminology -- what is an ombudsman, anyway?

  Following are some tips and insights from the site:

   -- The good news is everyone else around you is in the same boat. Nobody
      knows where they are going.
   -- Your dorm will probably have a first night orientation or social event
      to welcome you to school.  Show up to this -- and other dorm meetings
      -- you will get to meet people on your floor and make friends quickly
   -- Five things people are most nervous about (so don't be embarrassed if
      you share all five!) -- fitting in, liking your roommate, having
      enough money, finding the dining hall, liking your dorm.
   -- Your parents might feel like they are losing you a little; this is a
      great time for you, but it will be hard on your folks.

  Great Gear for On or Off Campus Living

SimplySearsCollege.com has organized all the college gear into several categories -- sleeping, eating, bathing, living, studying, traveling, cleaning and relaxing -- and created merchandise "bundles" based on various college true-isms. Students can also create a wish list that can be sent via e-mail to friends and family.

  Following are some examples of the product bundles:

   -- "Like my room at home" Personal Identity twin bed set, Ty Pennington
      night stand, Gooseneck desk lamp, bed rest and clock radio
   -- "Joys of a communal bathroom" CosmoGirl bath and hand towels, flip
      flops, storage tote, Conair Hair Dryer and lighted mirror
   -- "I am getting on the Dean's list" Toshiba notebook computer, HP pocket
      PC with Bluetooth, printer, Scientific calculator, post-it notes,
      pencil sharpener, pens and paper
   -- "I can't even boil water" Kenmore compact fridge, coffee maker,
      acrylic cups, pizza cutter, plastic storage, monster cable power
      protector, bottle opener.

"Ultimately, we are trying to take the guess work out of preparing for college," continued Sargent. "It is a big transition for both students and parents and this site can be a great tool when it comes to getting ready for the big move-in day."

About Sears, Roebuck and Co.

Sears, Roebuck and Co., a wholly owned subsidiary of Sears Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ: SHLD), is a leading broadline retailer providing merchandise and related services. Sears, Roebuck offers its wide range of home merchandise, apparel and automotive products and services through more than 2,400 Sears-branded and affiliated stores in the United States and Canada, which includes approximately 926 full-line and 1,100 specialty stores in the U.S. Sears, Roebuck also offers a variety of merchandise and services through sears.com, landsend.com, and specialty catalogs. Sears, Roebuck offers consumers leading proprietary brands including Kenmore, Craftsman, DieHard and Lands' End -- among the most trusted and preferred brands in the U.S. The company is the nation's largest provider of home services, with more than 13 million service calls made annually. For more information, visit the Sears, Roebuck website at http://www.sears.com/ or the Sears Holdings Corporation website at http://www.searsholdings.com/ .

SOURCE: Sears, Roebuck and Co.

CONTACT: Corinne Gudovic of Sears Holdings Corp., +1-847-286-3226,
cgudovi@searshc.com

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