Sears Holdings Names Ron Boire to Lead Merchandising and Store Formats

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill., Jan. 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Sears Holdings (NASDAQ: SHLD) announced today that Ron Boire has joined the company as executive vice president, chief merchandising officer and president, Sears and Kmart formats. Mr. Boire comes to Sears Holdings from Brookstone, Inc. where he was president and CEO. 

In this new role, Mr. Boire 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.

"We are in the midst of a transformation of our business, from top to bottom, as we seek to become the leading integrated retailer in the country," said Lou D'Ambrosio, Sears Holdings' chief executive officer and president. "By attracting someone with Ron's significant experience in retail, merchandising and product development as well as in leading companies through turnarounds, we're adding a key talent in accelerating our transformation."

Commenting on his appointment, Mr. Boire said, "I am excited to join Sears Holdings at this time.  I understand the company's challenges, but I am more persuaded by the company's opportunities and strengths.  As a company with over $40 billion in sales, millions of customers, irreplaceable brands, thousands of stores and committed associates, we have a lot to work with to improve our business and delight our customers. It is also important to have a board of directors and shareholders who are truly long-term oriented and who have made such a significant financial commitment in working to transform this iconic company."

D'Ambrosio added, "We have made some difficult decisions recently and will make the hard choices necessary to turn our business around going forward.  At the same time, we will continue to invest to better serve our customers by delivering world-class, integrated experiences across our stores, our online sites, our services and our mobile capabilities.  And, we will continue to invest in our people, ensuring that we have the talent and skills necessary to effect this transformation."

Prior to Brookstone, Mr. Boire served as president, U.S. Toys, North America for Toys "R" Us from 2006 to 2009, overseeing merchandising, marketing and operations for 600 stores in the U.S. and 70 in Canada.   He joined Toys "R" Us after serving as the executive vice president, global merchandise manager for Best Buy, responsible for managing Best Buy's $30 billion U.S. Business Teams, global technology and vendor management, global sourcing and private label development. Before that, Mr. Boire served in a variety of increasingly senior roles during a 17-year career at Sony Electronics Inc., including president of Sony's Consumer Sales Company and president of Sony's Personal Mobile Products Company. 

Mr. Boire has MBAs from both Columbia Business School and London Business School. 

About Sears Holdings Corporation

Sears Holdings Corporation is a leading 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. Twitter: @searsholdings||Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SHCCareers

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SOURCE Sears Holdings