CONTACT:
Sears Public Relations And Communications
(847) 286-8371
Sears and Kmart Help Shoppers Save for the Upcoming Holiday Season
National survey shows consumers are thinking ahead when it comes to
spending during the holidays, but need help when it comes to saving their
money
HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill., July 21 /PRNewswire/ -- While summer
temperatures are still on the rise, believe it or not, many American
families are already planning ahead for the upcoming holiday shopping
season. According to a new national survey* conducted by Sears and Kmart,
60 percent of Americans have put money into a savings account to save for a
specific time of year, such as the upcoming winter holidays. Beyond this,
42 percent say they will rely on savings opportunities, such as rewards or
points programs or coupons, even more now than they did last year.
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In response, Sears and Kmart are again bringing back the Christmas Club
card to help consumers budget for the holidays and save money over time,
without incurring credit card interest or debt. The Christmas Club card can
be used across all Sears and Kmart platforms - whether customers are
shopping online, in stores or paying off layaway.
"Sixty-seven percent of Americans feel guilty that they aren't saving
enough money, so we want to make it as easy as possible for them to budget
and save for the upcoming 2010 holiday season," said Susan Ehrlich,
president, Financial Services, Sears Holdings. "The Christmas Club card
garnered tremendous positive feedback from our customers last year and
we're looking to provide them with the same shopping choices and
convenience, while continuing to offer yet another unique way to save."
These survey numbers are also significantly higher for multicultural
audiences. Of those surveyed, 70 percent of African Americans and 58
percent of Hispanics feel guilty for not saving enough money. However, even
though both groups admit they don't save as much as they would like, saving
for the holidays is one of the top priorities when they do save. Fifty-nine
percent of African Americans and 56 percent of Hispanics say that winter
holidays, such as Christmas, are times when they typically save money in
advance.
When activated between now and Oct. 31, Christmas Club card users will
earn a three percent reward- up to a maximum $100 - based upon the value
they have on their Christmas club cards on Nov. 15, 2010. The reward will
be added to customers' Christmas Club cards by Nov. 24, 2010. To activate
cards or add additional value at any time, customers can visit any Sears or
Kmart store location, or online at http://www.sears.com/christmasclub or
http://www.kmart.com/christmasclub.
Starting, adding value to and redeeming the Christmas Club card are
designed to be easy and flexible for shoppers. Customers can start their
Christmas Club cards with as little as $5, and they can add value as often
as they want at any one of Sears Holdings' approximately 3,900 full-line
and specialty retail stores, or online. Customers can also transfer money
left over from their 2009 red Christmas Club cards to the new gold 2010
Christmas Club card if they participated in or received cards as gifts from
last year's program.
"The holidays are about enjoying time with family and friends - not
stressing over financial worries," said Ehlrich. "We are constantly looking
for more ways to help serve our customers needs and improve their everyday
lives, and the Christmas Club card was designed to do just that."
As with all Sears and Kmart gift cards, there are no fees associated
with the Christmas Club card, and the value on the card will not expire.
Cash or credit refunds are not allowed except where required by law. All
Sears and Kmart Christmas Club cards can be redeemed at Sears, Kmart,
Lands' End and The Great Indoors store locations, as well as online at
http://www.sears.com, http://www.kmart.com, http://www.mygofer.com, http://www.landsend.com and
http://www.thegreatindoors.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. Sears Holdings is the 2010 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 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.
About Kelton Research
Kelton Research is a full service market research consultancy with
offices in Los Angeles and New York. Kelton serves as a strategic partner
to both Fortune 500 corporations and smaller companies, utilizing a wide
range of qualitative and quantitative methodologies to drive tactical
recommendations for clients. For more information about Kelton's services,
please visit http://www.keltonresearch.com
*Methodological Notes on the Sears/Kmart Holiday Survey
The Sears/Kmart Christmas Club Survey was conducted by Kelton Research
between July 6 and July 12, 2010 via email invitation and an online survey.
Quotas were set to ensure reliable and accurate representation of the
entire U.S. population ages 18 and over. Results of any sample are subject
to sampling variation. The magnitude of the variation is measurable and is
affected by the number of interviews and the level of the percentages
expressing the results. In this particular study, the chances are 95 in 100
that a survey result does not vary, plus or minus, by more than 3.1
percentage points from the result that would be obtained if interviews had
been conducted with all persons in the universe represented by the sample.
SOURCE Sears Holdings Corporation
Web site: http://www.sears.com
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Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Company News On Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/923204.html
CONTACT: Shannelle Armstrong, Sears Holdings, +1-847-286-0715,
shannelle.armstrong@searshc.com; or Morgan Calef, Euro RSCG
Worldwide PR, +1-212-367-6949, morgan.calef@eurorscg.com
