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NEW YORK, NY – Barnes & Noble, Inc. (NYSE: BKS), the world’s largest retail bookseller, today announced that it collected approximately 1.2 million books during its 2018 Holiday Book Drive program. The books are being donated to more than 630 local charities across the country that provide services to children.

The donation was made possible through the generous support of Barnes & Noble customers, who purchased books for donation at Barnes & Noble bookstores nationwide between November 1, 2018, and December 31, 2018. Community partners are distributing the books collected to hospitals, schools, literacy organizations and social service organizations.

“The annual Holiday Book Drive is something that our booksellers and customers look forward to every year because it has such a positive impact on the lives of children in need in their local communities,” said Tracy Vidakovich, Vice President of Business Development at Barnes & Noble. “Our customers recognize the importance of reading in the lives of children and their enormous generosity gives kids of every background the chance to read, discover and learn.”

Every Barnes & Store across the country participates in the Book Drive with local recipients including: Big Brothers Big Sisters; the YMCA; Salvation Army; First Book; children’s hospitals from around the country; Ronald McDonald House; Head Start; United Way; various school districts, schools and public libraries; and hundreds of other deserving organizations.

In addition, during the holiday season, Barnes & Noble once again made its annual donation to the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation with more than $250,000 worth of products in the New York City and Reno, NV areas. The donation included books, toys, games, puzzles, and collectibles, which were all distributed by the Marine Corps to families in need.

For more information on Barnes & Noble visit your local store or check the Barnes & Noble Store Locator.

About Barnes & Noble
Barnes & Noble, Inc. (NYSE: BKS) is the world’s largest retail bookseller, and a leading retailer of content, digital media and educational products. The Company operates 630 Barnes & Noble bookstores in 50 states, and one of the Web’s premier e-commerce sites, BN.com (www.bn.com). The Nook Digital business offers a lineup of popular NOOK® tablets and eReaders and an expansive collection of digital reading and entertainment content through the NOOK Store®. The NOOK Store (www.nook.com) features digital books, periodicals and comics, and offers the ability to enjoy content across a wide array of popular devices through Free NOOK Reading Apps™ available for Android™, iOS® and Windows®.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Sears Holdings Corporation (“Holdings,” “we,” “our,” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: SHLD) today announced that the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York (the “Court”) granted interim approval of all the Company’s first day motions related to its voluntary Chapter 11 restructuring. Collectively, the approvals by the Court immediately improve the Company’s liquidity position and allow Holdings to continue its business operations throughout the financial restructuring process.

The Court entered an order granting the Company authorization to access its $300 million in senior priming debtor-in-possession (“DIP”) financing from its senior secured asset-based revolving lenders. The Company also received authorization to continue paying employee wages and benefits, and to honor member programs including warranties and promotions.

“The Court’s approval of our First Day motions is an important step forward in our financial restructuring process that will allow the Company to continue operating in the normal course and providing our customers and members with trusted service,” said Robert A. Riecker, Chief Financial Officer, and member of the Office of the Chief Executive. “Our stores, online and mobile platforms, and related businesses are open and we continue to offer our customers and members the brands and products they want. We look forward to continuing to engage in productive discussions with our creditors and other stakeholders to pursue a plan of reorganization as expeditiously as possible.”

As previously announced, on October 15, 2018, Holdings and certain of its subsidiaries filed voluntary petitions for relief under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York.

Additional information is available on the Company’s restructuring website at restructuring.searsholdings.com. For Court filings and other documents related to the court-supervised process, please visit http://restructuring.primeclerk.com/sears, call (844) 384-4460 (for toll-free domestic calls) and +1 (929) 955-2419 (for tolled international calls), or email searsinfo@primeclerk.com.

Advisors
Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP is serving as legal counsel, M-III Partners is serving as restructuring advisor and Lazard Frères & Co. LLC is serving as investment banker to Holdings.

About Sears Holdings Corporation
Sears Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ: SHLD) is a leading integrated retailer focused on seamlessly connecting the digital and physical shopping experiences to serve our members – wherever, whenever and however they want to shop. Sears Holdings is home to Shop Your Way®, a social shopping platform offering members rewards for shopping at Sears and Kmart as well as with other retail partners across categories important to them. The Company operates through its subsidiaries, including Sears, Roebuck and Co. and Kmart Corporation, with full-line and specialty retail stores across the United States. For more information, visit www.searsholdings.com.

Tomorrow, we’re opening Amazon 4-star, a new physical store where everything for sale is rated 4 stars and above, is a top seller, or is new and trending on Amazon.com. The store is located in one of New York’s most vibrant neighborhoods—SoHo—on Spring Street between Crosby and Lafayette Streets.

We created Amazon 4-star to be a place where customers can discover products they will love. Amazon 4-star’s selection is a direct reflection of our customers—what they’re buying and what they’re loving.

We started with some of the most popular categories on Amazon.com including devices, consumer electronics, kitchen, home, toys, books, and games, and chose only the products that customers have rated 4 stars and above, or are top sellers, or are new and trending.

Today, the average rating of all the products in Amazon 4-star is 4.4 stars, and collectively, the products in store have earned more than 1.8 million 5-star customer reviews.

Throughout the store there are features like “Most-Wished-For,” a collection of products that are most added to Amazon.com Wish Lists; “Trending Around NYC,” hot products that NYC-area customers are buying on Amazon.com; “Frequently Bought Together”; and “Amazon Exclusives.” These features, along with customer review cards with quotes from actual customer reviews, make it fun and easy to shop.

Customers will find products like the card game Codenames (4.8 stars, with more than 2,000 customer reviews), which 88% of reviewers rated 5 stars, and a Lodge 3.5 Inch Cast Iron Mini Skillet (4.4 stars, with more than 10,900 customer reviews), which 76% of reviewers rated 5 stars. Of course, Amazon 4-star shoppers can also find Amazon devices like the Echo Spot (4.5 stars, with more than 5,600 customer reviews), and the Fire TV Stick (4.4 stars, with more than 197,000 customer reviews). Customers can test-drive dozens of Amazon devices and smart home accessories that work with Alexa, and shop a curated selection of speakers, fitness tech, and other highly rated consumer electronics.

Amazon 4-star opens to all customers tomorrow (Monday-Saturday: 10:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m.; Sunday: 11:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.). Prime members pay the Amazon.com price in store.

Digital price tags alongside every product show the Prime price and list price, as well as Prime member savings, average star rating, and the total number of reviews a product has received. Customers who aren’t already Prime members can easily sign up for a free 30-day trial and instantly receive the Amazon.com price in store.

Tesco has today launched a new brand, and stores – Jack’s. Part of the Tesco Family, Jack’s offers great tasting food that is grown, reared or made in Britain at the lowest possible prices to bring customers outstanding value.

In 1919, Tesco’s founder Jack Cohen started selling armed forces surplus stock from his market stall in Well Street, Hackney. With nothing more than £30 demob money and an intuition for what customers needed, Jack built a business famed for making food available to everyone at a time when many families simply couldn’t afford the food sold in shops.

The launch of Jack’s is part of Tesco’s centenary celebrations which will see the business mark 100 years of delivering great value to British shoppers.

Jack’s will proudly support Britain’s food producing communities. 8 out of 10 food and drink products at Jack’s will be grown, reared or made in Britain and stores will stock a unique own brand range, also named Jack’s as a mark of quality and value.

In addition to the Jack’s brand, Jack’s will stock some familiar grocery brands and a range of general merchandise on a “When it’s Gone, It’s Gone” basis.

Jack’s will operate a low-cost business model that is designed to keep costs low and prices down. It’s a no fuss approach with a simplified range of products, no fancy fixtures or fittings, and no added extras, just good quality at low prices.

Dave Lewis, Tesco Group Chief Executive, said:

“Jack Cohen championed value for customers and changed the face of British shopping. He’s an inspiration for all of us and that same spirit still drives Tesco now.

“It’s fitting that today, we mark the beginning of Tesco’s celebration of 100 Years of Great Value by launching a new brand, and stores bearing his name: Jack’s. Great tasting food at the lowest possible prices with 8 out of 10 products grown, reared or made in Britain.”

Over the next six months Tesco will launch 10-15 Jack’s stores in the UK. The first two stores will open on 20th September in Chatteris, Cambridgeshire and Immingham, Lincolnshire, on sites which make use of excess Tesco space. The stores to follow will include a mix of entirely new sites, sites adjacent to existing Tesco stores, and a small number of converted Tesco stores.

New York, NY – Barnes & Noble, Inc. (NYSE: BKS), the world’s largest retail bookseller, today announced world-famous vlogger Hank Green’s debut novel, An Absolutely Remarkable Thing, as this fall’s Barnes & Noble Book Club selection. Barnes & Noble is selling a special Book Club Edition of An Absolutely Remarkable Thing, with an exclusive essay about the book by Hank Green, as well as a Reading Group Guide. The Bookseller will host its third free Book Club Night to discuss the novel in all of its stores on Wednesday, October 24, at 7pm. Customers can pre-order the book and sign up for the Book Club at BN.com/bnbookclub.

An Absolutely Remarkable Thing is the first novel by Hank Green, known for his popular YouTube channels Vlogbrothers, Crash Course and the SciShow. Green’s debut book tells the story of a young woman named April May who stumbles upon a mysterious statue that leads to her becoming an overnight celebrity before realizing she’s part of something bigger, and stranger, than anyone could have imagined.

“Hank Green’s first novel is as fun and rollicking as it is heartfelt and thought-provoking, and we knew it would be a great Book Club selection,” said Liz Harwell, Senior Director of Merchandising at Barnes & Noble. “Hank brings the same energy, insight, and wonder to his writing as he does to his popular vlogs and performances, and we can’t wait to feel the energy in our stores when readers gather to discuss this unique and wonderful book.”

Customers can pre-order An Absolutely Remarkable Thing on BN.com, or buy it at their local Barnes & Noble when it goes on sale Tuesday, September 25. Barnes & Noble will hold its third Book Club Night on Wednesday, October 24 at 7pm. Barnes & Noble Cafés will be sampling food and beverages during the event, and each store will give away one signed copy of the book.

Last night, Barnes & Noble hosted its second book club in stores nationwide, with lively discussion of Pulitzer Prize-winning author Anne Tyler’s Clock Dance, which follows the arc of a woman’s life from childhood to adulthood. The Bookseller’s first Book Club selection was Meg Wolitzer’s The Female Persuasion, a timely novel about a young woman who meets the mentor who changes her life.

For more details on the Barnes & Noble Book Club and Book Club Night, customers can ask one of their local Barnes & Noble booksellers, or go to BN.com/bnbookclub. They can also join the conversation on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Snapchat (bnsnaps) and Facebook, using hashtag #BNBookClub.

About Barnes & Noble
Barnes & Noble, Inc. (NYSE: BKS) is the world’s largest retail bookseller, and a leading retailer of content, digital media and educational products. The Company operates 630 Barnes & Noble bookstores in 50 states, and one of the Web’s premier e-commerce sites, BN.com (www.bn.com). The Nook Digital business offers a lineup of popular NOOK® tablets and eReaders and an expansive collection of digital reading and entertainment content through the NOOK Store®. The NOOK Store (www.nook.com) features digital books, periodicals and comics, and offers the ability to enjoy content across a wide array of popular devices through Free NOOK Reading Apps™ available for Android™, iOS® and Windows®.

New York, NY — The Board of Directors of Barnes & Noble, Inc. (NYSE: BKS) today announced the termination of its Chief Executive Officer, Demos Parneros, for violations of the Company’s policies. This action was taken by the Company’s Board of Directors who were advised by the law firm Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP. Mr. Parneros’ termination is not due to any disagreement with the Company regarding its financial reporting, policies or practices or any potential fraud relating thereto. Mr. Parneros will not receive any severance payment and he is no longer a member of the Company’s Board of Directors.

In order to ensure continuity going forward, the Company has appointed a leadership group to share the duties of the office of the CEO until a new leader is named. Those appointed include: Allen Lindstrom, Chief Financial Officer, Tim Mantel, Chief Merchandising Officer and Carl Hauch, Vice President, Stores. Leonard Riggio remains Executive Chairman of the Company and will be involved in its management.

The Company said it will begin an executive search for a new CEO and that no changes in its goals or objectives are planned. Additionally, the Company affirms its previously announced EBITDA guidance of $175 million to $200 million for fiscal 2019.

A reconciliation of the Company’s EBITDA guidance to operating income is included in the press release issued by the Company on June 21, 2018. EBITDA means earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill., Kmart announced today the launch of two rewards programs offering FREECASH in points to current members and non-members in search of great deals on toys, games and baby products. Kmart is offering $10 FREECASH in points through the seamless in-store exchange of Toys “R” Us and Babies “R” Us gift cards at Kmart locations nationwide. In addition, through its Toy of the Month program, Kmart is providing shoppers with $5 FREECASH in points toward the in-store purchase of any $5 or more item in the toys department.

“Kmart has long been a family shopping destination for expecting and current parents,” said Leena Munjal, chief digital officer for Sears Holdings Corporation. “We’re adding more excitement to shopping and giving more savings back to our members by offering incentives to shop easily and conveniently for popular children’s items. This is another example of how we’re putting our members first – finding creative offers that deliver real value in their everyday lives.”

Toys “R” Us Gift Card Exchange Program
Now through July 31, if any Shop Your Way® member has a Toys “R” Us or Babies “R” Us gift card, they can simply visit the customer service desk at their nearby Kmart to register for the exchange program. They’ll receive a link to fill out a brief survey and, after completing the survey, Kmart will issue $10 FREECASH in points to the member’s Shop Your Way account for use on any in-store purchase of $10 or more*. It does not matter if the Toys “R” Us or Babies “R” Us gift card has expired; Kmart will accept them after the April 21, 2018 expiration date. Kmart will reward members with a one-time-only offer of $10 FREECASH in points, regardless of the number of gift cards exchanged or the previous value on the card(s).

Toy of the Month Program
To apply, Shop Your Way members simply text “TOY” to 56278**. Shoppers will receive $5 FREECASH in points on the 15th of every the month, and points are valid through the 28th of the month. Savings can go toward a toy department purchase of $5 or more at Kmart stores or online at Kmart.com. Members also will receive ongoing updates via text message on the retailer’s special deals, promotional events and product launches for baby items, toys and games.

Limited-Time Baby Diapers and Wipes Promotion
Additionally, shoppers can earn 50 percent CASHBACK in points on all diapers, wipes and training pants purchases from participating Kmart stores nationwide. Offer is valid now through June 2. There is a maximum of $20 CASHBACK in points per member. Members earn points the next day after a purchase, and points are valid for only 14 days from the purchase date. Members can visit their local Kmart for more details and confirm if the store is eligible for this limited time program.

*By accepting Shop Your Way member benefits and offers, you agree to the Shop Your Way terms and conditions, available at www.shopyourway.com/terms.

**By texting the keyword, you agree to receive recurring autodialed messages from Kmart alerts to your mobile number and also agree to the program terms and privacy policy at www.shcterms.com/mobile. Message and data rates may apply. Text STOP to cancel. Text HELP for info. Consent is not a condition of any purchase.

About Kmart
Kmart, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sears Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ: SHLD), is a mass merchandising company and part of Shop Your Way, a social shopping experience where members have the ability to earn points and receive benefits across a wide variety of physical and digital formats through shopyourway.com. Kmart offers customers quality products through a portfolio of exclusive brands that include Jaclyn Smith, Joe Boxer, Route 66 and Smart Sense. For more information, visit the company’s website at kmart.com | Sears Holdings Corporation website at www.searsholdings.com | Facebook: facebook.com/kmart | Twitter: twitter.com/kmart | Instagram: Instagram.com/kmart

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill., Sears Holdings Corporation (SHC) has been named a 2018 ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year – Sustained Excellence Award winner for continued leadership in protecting our environment through superior energy efficiency achievements. In addition, the Kenmore brand has been named a 2018 ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year – Product Brand Owner. According to the EPA, it marks the first time a company has won all three awards: Retailer, Energy Management and Brand Owner. Sears Holdings’ and Kenmore’s accomplishments will be recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., on April 20, 2018.

Sears Holdings, an ENERGY STAR partner since 1998, will be honored for long-term commitment to energy efficiency. The company’s related accomplishments in 2017 included:

Energy Savings: From February through August 2017, Sears reduced total store energy consumption by nine percent and saved 82 million kilowatt hours of power, which equates at an average rate, to almost $10 million.
Responsible Appliance Disposal: Sears processed and responsibly disposed of more than 182,000 refrigerators, freezers, AC units and dehumidifiers from January 2017 through September 2017. These efforts resulted in avoided greenhouse gas emissions of approximately 226,000 metric tons CO2 equivalent.
Product Selection and Sales of ENERGY STAR Products: From Sears’ sales of ENERGY STAR products in 2017, customers were able to achieve energy savings of 298 million kWh, $70 million in utility costs, 459 million pounds of CO2 reduced, or equivalent emissions of 44,000 cars. In 2017, SHC offered 849 unique ENERGY STAR certified models across categories such as lighting, appliances, consumer electronics, doors, windows, and HVAC. In Appliances alone, SHC saw a 9.5% increase in ENERGY STAR certified products over 2016 numbers. For the fourth straight year, more than 99% of our door and window installations were completed using ENERGY STAR certified products.
Training: Sears conducted its Home Appliance business sales associate product training road show in 2017 to educate its associates on ENERGY STAR. Over 1,900 associates were trained and gained specific knowledge on ENERGY STAR certified products.
Partnership: Sears and the Kenmore brand partnered with Amazon to launch major appliances on amazon.com. The launch and marketing materials have focused heavily on ENERGY STAR certified appliances and the majority of the products are ENERGY STAR certified. This is introducing the Kenmore brand and the ENERGY STAR Program to a new demographic audience. In addition, we continue to support ENERGY STAR with participation in ENERGY STAR events. SHC successfully upgraded two homeless veteran shelters with energy-efficient appliances, lighting, consumer electronics, doors, windows and HVAC. This event with Rebuilding Together and ENERGY STAR took place in advance of the ENERGY STAR Products Partner Meeting.
“We truly value Sears Holdings’ partnership with ENERGY STAR and are honored to receive the Partner of the Year Award in Sustained Excellence for the ninth consecutive year in Retail and the seventh consecutive year in Energy Management,” said Edward S. Lampert, chairman and chief executive officer of Sears Holdings. “Being recognized by ENERGY STAR as a retail leader only further increases our members’ trust in us to continuously provide energy-efficient solutions that meet their needs. We remain committed to continuing our work to help increase energy efficiency, to offer savings to our members, and to protect the environment through our dedicated efforts.”

“The Kenmore brand has been an iconic American brand since 1913 and has been a significant supporter of ENERGY STAR since 1992,” said Tom Park, president of Kenmore, Craftsman and DieHard brands at Sears. “In 2017, Kenmore increased the percentage of total sales dollars from ENERGY STAR certified Kenmore appliances by over 7% compared to the prior year.”

“The 2018 ENERGY STAR Partners of the Year have demonstrated real leadership, showing how American families and businesses can save energy, save money, and reduce air emissions,” said Bill Wehrum, EPA Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation.

The 2018 Partner of the Year – Sustained Excellence Awards are bestowed upon companies and other organizations demonstrating continued leadership in energy efficiency and commitment to the ENERGY STAR program. Winners hail from small, family-owned businesses to Fortune 500 organizations – representing energy-efficient products, services, new homes, and buildings in the commercial, industrial, and public sectors.

For a complete list of 2018 winners and more information about ENERGY STAR’s awards program, visit energystar.gov/awardwinners.

About Sears Holdings Corporation
Sears Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ: SHLD) is a leading integrated retailer focused on seamlessly connecting the digital and physical shopping experiences to serve our members – wherever, whenever and however they want to shop. Sears Holdings is home to Shop Your Way®, a social shopping platform offering members rewards for shopping at Sears and Kmart as well as with other retail partners across categories important to them. The company operates through its subsidiaries, including Sears, Roebuck and Co. and Kmart Corporation, with full-line and specialty retail stores across the United States. For more information, visit www.searsholdings.com.

About the Kenmore Brand
The Kenmore Brand is an industry leader in delivering trusted performance in the home with smart and stylish appliance innovations that help consumers do things quicker, easier and better. Recognized as a top appliance brand for over 100 years, the Kenmore brand continues to give consumers more time, efficiency and improved results for better living with industry-leading products across small and large appliance categories. For more information, visit www.kenmore.com, www.cookmore.com/press-kit/ or www.facebook.com/kenmore.

About ENERGY STAR
ENERGY STAR® is the simple choice for energy efficiency. For over 25 years, EPA’s ENERGY STAR program has been America’s resource for saving energy and protecting the environment. Join the millions already making a difference at energystar.gov. More background information about ENERGY STAR can be found at energystar.gov/about and energystar.gov/numbers. Thousands of industrial, commercial, utility, state, and local organizations—including more than 40 percent of the Fortune 500®—rely on their partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to deliver cost-saving energy efficiency solutions. Together, since 1992, ENERGY STAR and its partners have helped save American families and businesses over $450 billion and over 3.5 trillion kilowatt-hours of electricity while also achieving broad emissions reductions—all through voluntary action.

New York, NY – Barnes & Noble, Inc. (NYSE: BKS), the world’s largest retail bookseller, today announced the launch of the “Barnes & Noble Book Club,” a national book club designed to bring readers in communities across the country together to discuss some of the greatest books being published. The Company will host a free Book Club night seasonally at its 632 stores nationwide, which will be led by its expert booksellers and feature exclusive content and special in-store promotions for book club members. Bestselling author Meg Wolitzer’s novel, The Female Persuasion, has been chosen as the first book club pick for the inaugural Book Club night, which will take place on May 2, from 6pm-7pm local time, at stores across the country.

“Many book clubs and reading groups already meet at Barnes & Noble stores across the country, but customers have let us know that they would love to participate in an official Barnes & Noble Book Club,” said Liz Harwell, Director of Merchandising at Barnes & Noble. “That’s why we are so pleased to bring readers together to engage in a national conversation about books in a way that only Barnes & Noble can.”

Barnes & Noble is excited to launch its seasonal book club this spring with Wolitzer’s The Female Persuasion, a novel that showcases one of the country’s great authors, as well as engages readers in a timely discussion around women, work, and power.

“Meg Wolitzer’s The Interestings firmly established her as one of the most important writers of our time, and The Female Persuasion further cements her importance with a timely story about a young woman who meets a mentor that changes her life,” Harwell added. “The Female Persuasion is a must read of the year, and we’re looking forward to discussing it at our first Book Club meeting on May 2.”

As part of the new Barnes & Noble Book Club, the Company is offering customers an exclusive edition of the book that includes a special Reading Group Guide and an essay by the author. Customers who come to the free Book Club discussion May 2 will also receive one free regular, tall, hot or iced coffee and one free cookie from the Café, and one signed copy of the book will be given away. Customers are asked to sign up at the Customer Service counter in store to participate.

On May 2, Meg Wolitzer will appear at Barnes & Noble’s Upper West Side store for a discussion, Q&A, and book signing. Customers can visit the Barnes & Noble Store Locator for details.

Pre-orders of the exclusive edition of Meg Wolitzer’s The Female Persuasion are available now at BN.com, and the novel will be available in stores on April 3.

About Barnes & Noble
Barnes & Noble, Inc. (NYSE: BKS) is the world’s largest retail bookseller, and a leading retailer of content, digital media and educational products. The Company operates 630 Barnes & Noble bookstores in 50 states, and one of the Web’s premier e-commerce sites, BN.com (www.bn.com). The Nook Digital business offers a lineup of popular NOOK® tablets and eReaders and an expansive collection of digital reading and entertainment content through the NOOK Store®. The NOOK Store features more than 4.5 million digital books in the US (www.nook.com), plus periodicals and comics, and offers the ability to enjoy content across a wide array of popular devices through Free NOOK Reading Apps™ available for Android™, iOS® and Windows®.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill., Shop Your Way’s ongoing effort to provide its members with unparalleled service options and money-saving benefits has expanded to yet another new category: live streaming video services.

Shop Your Way, a business unit of Sears Holdings (NASDAQ: SHLD), announced today a strategic partnership with sports-first live streaming TV provider fuboTV. This partnership will enable sports-loving Shop Your Way members to access the best-in-class video service, which includes more than 65 channels of live sports, entertainment and news content. fuboTV joins Shop Your Way’s ever-expanding ecosystem of partners and services designed to save members time and money every day. Members who subscribe to the Fubo Premier package will receive CASHBACK in Shop Your Way® Points totaling the first month of paid subscription fees, plus additional CASHBACK in points every month during the first year of paid service*.

CASHBACK in points available to Shop Your Way members who subscribe to fuboTV can include*:

$20 CASHBACK in points of first full paid month of service after the 7 day trial
$3 CASHBACK in points per month for the next 11 months of paid service for the first year fulfilled subscription term
These points can be used on millions of items from Shop Your Way partners such as Sears, Kmart, Lands’ End and at ShopYourWay.com.

fuboTV, one of the world’s fastest-growing subscription services, delivers an over-the-top (OTT) bundle of more sports channels than any other live streaming TV company. Customers can stream programming on desktop computer or mobile web at www.fubo.tv; mobile devices via fuboTV’s highly-rated apps for iOS and Android; or on connected TVs via Apple TV, Roku, Chromecast and Amazon Fire TV. After the trial, Fubo Premier is available at an introductory rate of $19.99 for the first month, and $44.99 per month to follow.

Shop Your Way members can learn more about fuboTV and sign up for the service online via shopyourway.com/fubotv, instore at Sears and Kmart, or via phone (800.991.8708).

“Cutting the cord on traditional TV has never been easier or more rewarding than with this Shop Your Way partnership,” said Robert Naedele, Chief Commercial Officer, Shop Your Way. “Our newest partner fuboTV offers the channels our members love, plus movies and incredible sports content – we’re giving members 100 percent of their first month of paid service CASHBACK in Shop Your Way points after they sign up. This partnership offers members new flexibility and personalization to their entertainment options with the everyday value they’ve come to expect from Shop Your Way.”

“We couldn’t be more excited to team up with Shop Your Way to bring even more value to our subscribers,” said fuboTV Co-Founder and CMO Alberto Horihuela. “We pride ourselves in providing fans with the most sports for the least money, and now are able to provide fuboTV customers with unparalleled access to the Shop Your Way network.”

fuboTV joins partners such as Uber and Meredith Corp. (the former Time Inc./Synapse) on the Shop Your Way platform, where tens and tens of millions of members can earn and redeem points on everyday purchases. It’s free and easy to become a Shop Your Way member and begin enjoying benefits immediately when you visit shopyourway.com. Download the free Shop Your Way app from the App Store or Google Play.

* Shop Your Way members will receive CASHBACK in points after they purchase the initial fuboTV monthly subscription and remain subscribed each month in order to continue to be eligible for CASHBACK in points during their first year of subscription. Points valid for 90 days. By accepting offer and Shop Your Way benefits, members agree to be bound by Shop Your Way Terms and Conditions available at www.shopyourway.com/terms.

About fuboTV
fuboTV is a sports-first streaming TV service that brings subscribers over-the-top (OTT) access to the most sports for the least money. This includes a growing line-up of national channels, local broadcasters and regional sports networks (RSNs) that hold rights to the most popular sports in the world. Officially launched in January 2015 as a streaming soccer service, fuboTV has evolved into one of the leading virtual MVPDs in the U.S. Its entry-level Fubo Premier bundle offers more than 65 channels, including up to 37 that carry sports, and brings customers access to popular entertainment, news and information content that complements the core sports offering, including more than 10,000 titles available on-demand. It is available on desktop or mobile web via www.fubo.tv; on Amazon Fire TV and Fire TV Stick; Android and iOS devices; Apple TV; Chromecast; Kindle Fire; Roku; and through T-Mobile’s Binge On.

The company has raised a total of $75.6 million in funding to date, including a $55 million Series C round that closed in June 2017, led by Northzone, and including 21st Century Fox, Sky and Scripps Networks Interactive. Investors also include DCM Ventures, i2bf, Luminari Capital, LionTree Partners, Univision Communications Inc., Edgar Bronfman, Jr. (former Chairman and CEO of Warner Music Group), Chris Silbermann (founding partner, ICM Partners) and former NBA Commissioner David Stern.

About Shop Your Way
Shop Your Way® is at your service 24/7 to help you in the moments that matter. Whether it’s shopping your favorite brands, eating at your favorite restaurants, or simply taking an Uber to a party, you get rewarded with money-saving points that can be redeemed on millions of items across our Partner network. You can even connect with a free Personal Shopper to find everything on your list so that you can spend more time enjoying life and less time on the details. The benefits are endless with Shop Your Way, and they add up fast every time you connect. It’s easy – the more you do, the more you get, so start earning your rewards today.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill., Sears Holdings Corporation (“Holdings,” “we,” “us,” “our,” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: SHLD) today announced that it intends to commence exchange offers (the “Exchange Offers”) pursuant to which it would offer to (1) issue in exchange for its outstanding 8% Senior Unsecured Notes Due 2019 (“8% Senior Notes”) new 8% Senior Unsecured Notes Due 2019, of a like principal amount, convertible into common stock of the Company, at a conversion price of approximately 120 shares per $1,000 in principal amount of indebtedness (or approximately $8.33 in principal amount per share), with interest on such notes to be payable in kind at the Company’s option (“New 8% Senior Notes”), and (2) issue in exchange for its outstanding 6 5/8% Senior Secured Notes Due 2018 (“6 5/8% Senior Secured Notes”) new 6 5/8% Senior Secured Notes Due 2019, of a like principal amount, convertible into common stock of the Company, at a conversion price of approximately 200 shares per $1,000 in principal amount of indebtedness (or approximately $5 in principal amount per share), with interest on such notes to be payable in kind at the Company’s option (“New 6 5/8% Senior Secured Notes”). The New 8% Senior Notes and New 6 5/8% Senior Secured Notes would be optionally convertible by the holders thereof, and would be mandatorily convertible at the Company’s option if the volume weighted average trading price of the common stock on the NASDAQ exceeds $10 for a prescribed period.

The Company contemplates that the Exchange Offers would be made under an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), exclusively to certain accredited investors (as defined in Rule 501 of Regulation D under the Securities Act), and to certain non-U.S. residents pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act, in each case who are holders of 8% Senior Notes or 6 5/8% Senior Secured Notes.

The Company also intends to pursue (1) an amendment with the lenders thereunder, certain funds managed by ESL Investments, Inc. or an affiliate thereof (the “Lenders”), of its outstanding $300 million principal amount second lien term loan to include a feature permitting the payment of interest in kind at the Company’s option and to provide that the Company’s obligation under the loan would be convertible into common stock of the Company, on the same conversion terms as the New 6 5/8% Senior Secured Notes, and (2) a negotiated exchange, with certain third parties (the “Noteholders”), of approximately $95 million in principal amount of senior unsecured notes maturing between 2027 and 2043 and bearing interest at rates between 6.50% and 7.50% per annum issued by the Company’s subsidiary, Sears Roebuck Acceptance Corp. (the “SRAC Notes”), for new unsecured notes (the “SRAC Exchange Notes”) maturing in March 2028, which would bear interest at a rate equal to 7.00% per annum (which interest may be paid in kind at the option of the Company at rate equal to 12.00% per annum). The SRAC Exchange Notes would be guaranteed by the same subsidiaries of the Company which guarantee the 6 5/8% Senior Secured Notes. The Company contemplates that the negotiated exchange of the SRAC Notes would be effected under an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. The Lenders and Noteholders have each indicated that they would expect to support the Exchange Offers and the respective transactions described in this press release and applicable to them.

The purpose of the Exchange Offers and the other contemplated transactions described in this press release would be to enhance the Company’s liquidity.

This press release is issued pursuant to Rule 135c under the Securities Act. This press release is neither an offer to sell nor the solicitation of an offer to buy New 8% Senior Notes, New 6 5/8% Senior Secured Notes or any other securities and shall not constitute an offer, solicitation or sale in any jurisdiction in which, or to any person to whom, such an offer, solicitation or sale is unlawful. The securities referenced herein will not be registered under the Securities Act and may not be offered or sold without registration unless an exemption from such registration is available.

About Sears Holdings Corporation
Sears Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ: SHLD) is a leading integrated retailer focused on seamlessly connecting the digital and physical shopping experiences to serve our members – wherever, whenever and however they want to shop. Sears Holdings is home to Shop Your Way®, a social shopping platform offering members rewards for shopping at Sears and Kmart as well as with other retail partners across categories important to them. The company operates through its subsidiaries, including Sears, Roebuck and Co. and Kmart Corporation, with full-line and specialty retail stores across the United States. For more information, visit www.searsholdings.com.

SEATTLE & BEIJING– Amazon Web Services, Inc. (AWS), an Amazon.com company (NASDAQ:AMZN), and Ningxia Western Cloud Data Technology Co. Ltd. (NWCD), a cloud services provider in China, today announced a strategic technology partnership and the launch of the AWS China (Ningxia) Region, operated by NWCD. The AWS China (Ningxia) Region, operated by NWCD, joins the AWS China (Beijing) Region, operated by Sinnet, as the second AWS China Region and the seventh Region in Asia Pacific, along with AWS Regions in Beijing, Mumbai, Seoul, Singapore, Sydney, and Tokyo. With this launch, AWS now provides 46 Availability Zones across 17 technology infrastructure regions globally, with announced plans for another 15 Availability Zones across five AWS Regions in Bahrain, France, Hong Kong SAR, Sweden, and the US.

Already, thousands of active customers are using best-in-class cloud services available from the AWS China (Beijing) Region, operated by Sinnet. Starting today, Chinese developers, startups, and enterprises, as well as government, education, and non-profit organizations, can leverage AWS to run their applications and store their data in the new AWS China (Ningxia) Region, operated by NWCD. Existing customers can choose the AWS China (Beijing) Region, operated by Sinnet, and/or the AWS China (Ningxia) Region, operated by NWCD, by selecting either AWS China Region directly from the AWS Management Console, while new customers can request an account at www.amazonaws.cn to begin using either AWS China Region.

AWS has formed a strategic technology collaboration with NWCD, and NWCD operates and provides services from the AWS China (Ningxia) Region, in full compliance with Chinese regulations. Founded in 2015, NWCD is a licensed datacenter and cloud services provider, based in Ningxia, China. NWCD joins Sinnet, the operator of the AWS China (Beijing) Region, as AWS’s second operating partner in China. Through these relationships, AWS provides its industry-leading technology, guidance, and expertise to NWCD and Sinnet, while NWCD and Sinnet operate and provide AWS Cloud services to local customers. While the cloud services offered in both AWS China Regions are the same as those available in other AWS Regions, the AWS China Regions are isolated from all other AWS Regions and operated by AWS’s Chinese partners separately from all other AWS Regions. Customers using the AWS China Regions enter into customer agreements with Sinnet in Beijing and NWCD in Ningxia, rather than with AWS.

The AWS China (Ningxia) Region, operated by NWCD, offers two Availability Zones at launch. AWS Regions are comprised of Availability Zones, which refer to technology infrastructure in separate and distinct geographic locations with enough distance to significantly reduce the risk of a single event impacting availability, yet near enough for business continuity applications that require rapid failover. Each Availability Zone has independent power, cooling, and physical security, and is connected to national backbone networks via local telecom carriers’ high-speed fiber optic networks. AWS customers focused on high availability can architect their applications to run in multiple Availability Zones or across both AWS China Regions to achieve even higher fault-tolerance.

“Together with our partner NWCD, and with deep appreciation of the support we’ve received from the Zhongwei municipal government and Ningxia government, we’re excited to announce the launch of the AWS China (Ningxia) Region, operated by NWCD. The second AWS Region in China is part of AWS’s ongoing commitment to offer best-in-class cloud technologies to Chinese customers,” said Andy Jassy, CEO, AWS. “For years, AWS and our partners have had an enthusiastic base of customers in China, a country with one of the world’s largest and most dynamic cloud ecosystems. Our customers build their businesses on AWS because in addition to being the world’s largest cloud, it has more functionality than any other cloud platform, an extensive partner community, and unmatched maturity, security, and performance. We’re taking this step jointly with the Ningxia government and our operating partner, NWCD, both of whom worked tirelessly with us to achieve this milestone. Coupled with the AWS China (Beijing) Region, operated by Sinnet, the second AWS China Region will serve as the foundation for new cloud initiatives in China, especially in Western China, helping to transform businesses, increase innovation, and enhance the regional economy.”

“I have been promoting and incubating cloud computing and technology startups for the last five years, and have worked with various Chinese local governments to create a cloud computing incubation center called Cloud Valley,” said Edward Tian, founder of NWCD. “Today, we are honored to announce operationally availability of the AWS China (Ningxia) Region, operated by NWCD. We expect it to play a significant role in the ongoing development of China’s western region. It will be an important part of Cloud Valley in China. As one of AWS’s strategic partners when it first entered China, we are delighted to witness this moment as an important step in furthering our collaboration. The AWS China (Ningxia) Region, operated by NWCD, ensures the delivery of AWS’s leading cloud services, along with flexible and effective local support. As an important part of the cloud computing ecosystem, the combination of cloud technology and Western China’s rich resources will enhance the local economy of the region, foster the development of the manufacturing and industrial sector, and promote the prosperity and development of China’s cloud ecosystem.”

He Jian, Secretary of Zhongwei Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), said, “By establishing the Western Cloud Valley in Ningxia Autonomous Region, we see an opportunity to develop our cloud industry and to align with the opportunities presented by the national One Belt One Road Initiative. We have developed a close collaboration with AWS based on mutual trust, and are delighted that our region is now offering highly resilient, high performance data centers to enterprises across the nation. We have already seen a rapid growth in the cloud computing industry, and with the unique resources of Ningxia combined with the mature expertise of AWS Cloud, we will set a great example for economic transformation in the west of China.”

The establishment of the AWS China (Ningxia) Region, operated by NWCD, will also boost development of the industrial ecosystem of the Western Cloud Valley in Zhongwei, as well as help educate and train local students as future cloud computing talent for Western China. Jointly conceived of and launched by Ningxia University, AWS, and the Zhongwei City Government, the Ningxia University – Amazon Cloud Computing School has about 600 students enrolled to date, with 140 students expected to graduate in 2018.

Customers Welcome the AWS China (Ningxia) Region
Thousands of active customers in China already use AWS China (Beijing) Region services, operated by Sinnet, and tens of thousands of Chinese customers use other AWS Regions around the world, including Aucma, BGI, BSH, Changyou.com, Cheetah Mobile, EF, Envision Energy, Hikvision, Hisense, iQIYI, Kunlun.com, Lenovo, Lianjia.com, Liulishuo, MangoTV, MaryKay, Meitu, Mengniu Dairy Group, Midea, musical.ly, OPPO, Oriental Pearl Group, Samsung Electronics, Sengled, Suzhou Daily, Sixth Tone, Sunshine Paper, TCL, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Top Score Fashion Shoes, TP-LINK, TuSimple, Unipus, VIPKID, Xiaomi, Xiaoshouyi and many more.

TCL Corporation is a business conglomerate focused on smart product manufacturing and Internet application services on a global scale. Chen Jun, deputy general manager of HAWK, TCL Group, said, “By launching the AWS China (Ningxia) Region, AWS continues to bring their world-class cloud services to the Chinese market. Now TCL, and many others in the manufacturing industry, will have access to an even more reliable cloud platform that provides broader functionality in analysis, artificial intelligence/machine learning, and Internet of Things (IoT) for our strategic business transformation, in particular TCL’s Product plus Service and Intelligence plus Internet solutions.”

Lenovo is a global leader in providing innovative consumer, commercial, and data center technology. Yu Chentao, Director and Distinguished Researcher, Big Data Business Unit, Capital and Incubator Group, said, “Lenovo industrial big data solutions not only support Lenovo’s production and operations worldwide, but also offer our manufacturing customers a high-performance and one-stop business analysis and optimization environment with industrial intelligence. As AWS’s customer and APN partner, both in China and globally, the addition of a second AWS China Region in Ningxia, operated by NWCD, will provide Lenovo and our customers with more services and expanded disaster recovery solutions in China.”

Samsung Electronics is a global technology leader transforming televisions, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, digital appliances, and more, through their focus on constant innovation. Daijun Zhang, CEO of Samsung Electronics China Research Center (Beijing), said, “We have been anticipating the launch of the AWS China (Ningxia) Region for some time. A second AWS Region in China will help Samsung to provide more flexible and resilient applications while reducing our costs. This significantly accelerates our ability to bring more innovations to our customers in China.”

Envision Energy is a top-tier global provider for smart energy technologies and services, including sales of smart turbines, smart wind farms, energy management software, and technological services. Colin Yu, Vice President of Envision, said, “Envision has been working with AWS to develop the largest Energy IoT Platform – EnOS™, to connect devices, systems, and people in the energy world. A second AWS China Region will help EnOS better serve its customers throughout the country with lower costs, higher scalability, and faster performance.”

Investing in China’s Startup Community
Many of the most well-known and fastest-growing startups in China are using AWS services to build and rapidly expand their businesses, both within China and around the world. Companies such as 5miles, 90kmile, Camera360, Fruit Day, FunPlus, Genetalks, Globalegrow, Huan.tv, Huivo, IGG, Insta360, Inveno, Moji, NeuCloud, Patsnap, PingWest, R2Games, RockVR, SoundBus, Webull, Xiaohongshu, XtalPi, Yeahmobi, and Zhugeio have embraced AWS to power their businesses. The AWS Activate program provides startups with the resources they need to quickly get started and scale their businesses on AWS. In 2017, AWS announced Joint Innovation Centers in Qingdao and Xi’an, providing startups with the cloud computing resources and support, including free office space, exposure to local and global venture capital firms, and training.

AWS offers a full range of training and certification programs to help Chinese professionals advance their technical skills in the latest cloud technologies and best practices. Additionally, the AWS Educate program, which recently launched in China, promotes cloud learning in the classroom and has been adopted by more than 1,500 institutions worldwide. A group of professors from Tsinghua University, Peking University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, the Harbin Institute of Technology, and Xian Jiaotong University are now registered in the AWS Educate Program to develop pilot courses in subjects such as cloud computing, IOT, Software Engineering, and computer science fundamentals. The program helps provide an academic gateway for the next generation of China’s IT and cloud professionals.

AWS Partners Leading Cloud Future
AWS Partner Network (APN) also welcomed the arrival of the new AWS China (Ningxia) Region, operated by NWCD. The APN includes tens of thousands of independent software vendors (ISVs) and systems integrators (SIs) around the world, with APN Partner participation in China growing significantly over the past 12 months. APN Partners build innovative solutions and services on the AWS Cloud and the APN helps by providing those partners with business, technical, marketing, and go-to-market (GTM) support. APN SIs such as Accenture, Deloitte, Digital China Cloud, Neusoft, Ultrapower, DCITS, HAND Enterprise Solutions, Sinoage, Lenovo, Beyondsoft, Futong, and Teamsun are helping enterprise and public sector customers migrate to AWS, deploy mission-critical applications on AWS, and provide a full range of monitoring, automation, and management services for customers’ AWS environments. AWS ISVs including Kingdee, Sinosoft, Asiainfo, Tingyun, Xiaoshouyi, GrowingIO, TalkingData, Envision, K2DATA, Goldwind, and Ayla Networks can now serve their China customers from both local AWS Regions.

About Ningxia Western Cloud Data Technology Co. Ltd. (NWCD)
Founded in 2015, the Ningxia Western Cloud Data Technology Co. Ltd. (NWCD) is a licensed datacenter and cloud services provider, based in Ningxia. NWCD provides outstanding value-added telecommunications services to Chinese customers. Its businesses include Internet Data Center (IDC) services, Internet Access (ISP) services, and cloud computing (IRC) services. Headquartered in Zhongwei, Ningxia, NWCD is committed to leveraging cutting-edge technologies, high quality resources, and services to help Ningxia Zhongwei city government build and develop the Western Cloud Valley to serve the vast number of China-based developers, start-ups, enterprises, government organizations, and non-profits.

About Amazon Web Services
For more than 11 years, Amazon Web Services has been the world’s most comprehensive and broadly adopted cloud platform. AWS offers over 100 fully featured services for compute, storage, databases, networking, analytics, machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), mobile, security, hybrid, and application development, deployment, and management from 46 Availability Zones (AZs) across 17 geographic regions in the U.S., Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, India, Ireland, Japan, Korea, Singapore, and the UK. AWS services are trusted by millions of active customers around the world—including the fastest-growing startups, largest enterprises, and leading government agencies—to power their infrastructure, make them more agile, and lower costs. To learn more about AWS, visit https://aws.amazon.com.

About Amazon
Amazon is guided by four principles: customer obsession rather than competitor focus, passion for invention, commitment to operational excellence, and long-term thinking. Customer reviews, 1-Click shopping, personalized recommendations, Prime, Fulfillment by Amazon, AWS, Kindle Direct Publishing, Kindle, Fire tablets, Fire TV, Amazon Echo, and Alexa are some of the products and services pioneered by Amazon. For more information, visit www.amazon.com/about and follow @AmazonNews.

FRAMINGHAM, Mass.–Staples is the recipient of two prestigious HP Partner of the Year awards; U.S. Partner to Watch and U.S. Supplies Partner of the Year, both received at HP’s largest global partner forum, HP Reinvent.

More than 1,400 leading partners from across the globe attended the annual event, and Staples was one of only 50 partners to receive multiple awards. The selected partners are evaluated across a variety of criteria including innovation, category leadership across print, PC and supplier, distributor and re-seller categories.

“Our partnership with HP allows us to provide our customers with the best possible services and solutions, as proven through our recent commercial computing and print offerings including the next-generation A3 wide format multi-functional devices, and we look forward to continued alignment on strategy,” said Marty Robertson, vice president of Technology Solutions, Staples Business Advantage. “Being awarded U.S. Partner to Watch demonstrates Staples’ strong strategic relationship with HP and highlights our expertise in managed print services and commitment to growing our commercial hardware and services business.”

“Staples was chosen out of a select group of valued partners based on a variety of growth factors that were reviewed and ultimately determined by our channel leadership team,” said Stephanie Dismore, vice president and general manager, Americas Channels, HP. “Staples continues to be a strategic partner and HP’s largest supplies partner in the U.S. as well as HP’s top pMPS partner. These awards are perfect examples of what happens when we focus on aligning goals, putting the customer first, and driving strategic growth together, as we did with Staples.”

About Staples
Staples brings technology and people together in innovative ways to consistently deliver products, services and expertise that elevate and delight customers. Staples is in business with businesses and is passionate about empowering people to become true professionals at work. Headquartered outside of Boston, Mass., Staples operates primarily in North America, with additional offices in South America and Asia. More information about Staples is available at www.staples.com.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill., — To help shoppers get a jump on holiday shopping, Sears announced it is now offering Black Friday pricing online at Sears.com. Sears and Kmart also lowered the minimum purchase threshold for free shipping on qualifying online orders to $25 (was $49), and launched a new CASHBACK in points offer for Shop Your Way members.

The Sears and Kmart CASHBACK in points online offer includes:

Spend $50, get free shipping + $10 CASHBACK in points
Spend $100, get free shipping + $20 CASHBACK in points
Spend $150, get free shipping + $30 CASHBACK in points
Spend $200, get free shipping + $40 CASHBACK in points
Use code: CASH*
“The Black Friday game is changing as shoppers want access to the best deals earlier, and we’re using the power and flexibility of our digital channels and integrated retail services to do exactly that,” said Leena Munjal, senior vice president, customer experience and integrated retail at Sears Holdings. “In addition, the CASHBACK in points offer is like getting free money to spend toward additional holiday gifts – when everyone could use a little more in their wallet.”

The holidays are also a time when Sears and Kmart see a spike in members taking advantage of their integrated retail services to make holiday shopping less chaotic and more convenient. Services such as:

Free Buy Online, Pickup In-Store, In-Vehicle Pickup: Members can purchase all products available on Sears.com or Kmart.com, ship to the store for free, then pick up their items at the store when they arrive, where they will be ready in five minutes, guaranteed.** Members can even choose to have their item delivered right to their car by using Sears’ innovative In-Vehicle Pickup service.**
Sears & Kmart Mobile Apps: The apps let members quickly find the right products and compare features, prices and user reviews; find deals, get digital coupons, and make the most of Shop Your Way FREECASH in points; make purchases, track orders, manage layaway, and access free shopping conveniences like Buy Online, Pickup In-Store, In-Vehicle Pickup, and free in-store shipping.
Free Shipping: Sears and Kmart offer free shipping on any order $25 or more, and Shop Your Way Max members get two-day free shipping on qualifying online orders.
Anyone, Anywhere Pickup: Members can order any item on Sears.com or Kmart.com and send a friend or family member to pick up the purchase.
Join Sears and Kmart on social media to hear more about the latest news – “Like” Sears on Facebook, and “follow” Sears on Twitter and Instagram. “Like” Kmart on Facebook, and “follow” Kmart on Twitter and Instagram.

About Sears, Roebuck and Co.
Sears, Roebuck and Co., a wholly owned subsidiary of Sears Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ: SHLD), is a leading integrated retailer providing merchandise and related services and is part of Shop Your Way, a social shopping experience where members have the ability to earn points and receive benefits across a wide variety of physical and digital formats through shopyourway.com. Sears, Roebuck offers its wide range of home merchandise, apparel and automotive products and services through Sears-branded and affiliated full-line and specialty retail stores. Sears, Roebuck also offers a variety of merchandise and services through sears.com and specialty catalogs. Sears, Roebuck offers consumers leading brands including Kenmore, Craftsman, and DieHard — 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 6,000 expert technicians who make nearly 11 million service calls annually. For more information, visit the Sears, Roebuck website at www.sears.com or the Sears Holdings Corporation website at www.searsholdings.com.

About Kmart
Kmart, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sears Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ: SHLD), is a mass merchandising company and part of Shop Your Way, a social shopping experience where members have the ability to earn points and receive benefits across a wide variety of physical and digital formats through shopyourway.com. Kmart offers customers quality products through a portfolio of exclusive brands that include Jaclyn Smith, Joe Boxer, Route 66 and Smart Sense. For more information visit the company’s website at www.kmart.com.

*Points credit to member account on Dec. 1 and are valid between Dec. 1-15. Max. $40 in points per order. Excludes delivery items including home appliances. Additional exclusions apply, see sears.com or kmart.com for details. By accepting Shop Your Way® member benefits and offers, you agree to the Shop Your Way terms and conditions, available at www.shopyourway.com/terms.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. and NEW YORK, NY – Walmart.com and Lord & Taylor announced today that Lord & Taylor will launch a flagship store on Walmart.com. Expected to launch in spring 2018, Walmart.com will introduce a specialized online experience offering premium fashion brands directly from the Lord & Taylor flagship.

“Our goal is to create a premium fashion destination on Walmart.com,” said Denise Incandela, Head of Fashion, Walmart U.S. eCommerce. “We see customers on our site searching for higher-end items, and we are expanding our business online to focus on adding specialized and premium shopping experiences, starting with fashion. We’re excited that Lord & Taylor is part of the team we’re working with as we continue to create a new Walmart.com.”

In conjunction with the launch of the Lord & Taylor flagship store on Walmart.com next year, Walmart is also evolving how customers will be able to shop fashion on the site, adding elements of discovery and inspiration. As part of this experience, Lord & Taylor will have a dedicated store on Walmart.com and the Walmart app that will reflect the premium fashion it is known for, reaching exponentially more shoppers than it currently does through lordandtaylor.com.

“As retail continues to change, this flagship store creates enormous growth opportunities for Lord & Taylor and our brand partners,” said Liz Rodbell, President of Lord & Taylor. “Our customers trust us to deliver high-quality fashion apparel and accessories, and we will soon be able to extend the reach of that offering to new customers through this flagship store. Walmart.com is a shopping destination that reaches a wide base of customers looking for premium fashion brands. They are a great company for us to work with as we continue to grow our digital presence.”

Over the past year, Walmart has aggressively expanded its online assortment. Walmart.com currently offers more than 60 million items on the site, compared to 20 million items last year. At the same time, Lord & Taylor continues to evolve its department store model, combining brick and mortar locations with compelling online destinations for a truly exciting all-channel experience.

# # #

About Walmart
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) helps people around the world save money and live better – anytime and anywhere – in retail stores, online, and through their mobile devices. Each week, over 260 million customers and members visit our more than 11,600 stores under 59 banners in 28 countries and e-commerce websites in 11 countries. With fiscal year 2017 revenue of $485.9 billion, Walmart employs approximately 2.3 million associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunity. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting http://corporate.walmart.com, on Facebook at http://facebook.com/walmart and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/walmart.

About Lord & Taylor
Founded in 1826, Lord & Taylor is the oldest department store in the United States and one of the country’s premier retailers. It has built its reputation on offering high-quality fashion apparel and accessories, exciting store environments, and seamless service. Lord & Taylor operates 50 full-line locations primarily in the northeastern and mid-Atlantic U.S. and lordandtaylor.com. It is part of the Hudson’s Bay Company brand portfolio.

The CMA has provisionally concluded that Tesco’s purchase of Booker does not raise competition concerns.

A group of independent Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) panel members has investigated how bringing together the UK’s largest grocery retailer and the UK’s largest grocery wholesaler would affect competition. It examined evidence from Tesco and Booker, as well as evidence from more than 65 wholesalers, suppliers and retail chains and a survey of hundreds of retailers.

The CMA found that Tesco as a retailer and Booker as a wholesaler – supplying to caterers, independent and symbol group retailers including Premier, Londis and Budgens – do not compete head-to-head in most of their activities. In particular, Tesco does not supply the catering sector to which Booker makes over 30% of its sales.

The group, recognising that Tesco’s shops nevertheless compete with Booker-supplied shops, considered the impact of the merger in every local area where a Tesco and a Booker-supplied shop are both present (over 12,000 shops). It did this to examine whether, in any of these areas, it might be profitable for the merged company to raise prices or reduce service levels either in retail or wholesale. The CMA has provisionally concluded that the level of competition in the grocery wholesale and retail markets would be sufficient to defeat such a strategy.

A number of competing wholesalers expressed concern that Booker would benefit from improved suppliers’ terms after the merger, making it difficult for them to continue to compete. They argued that as a result, in the longer term, Booker might be able to raise prices to the shops that it supplies.

The CMA found that it was likely Booker would be able to negotiate better terms from a number of its suppliers for some of its groceries, and that it was likely to pass on some of the benefits of these savings to the shops that it supplies. This might increase competition in the wholesale market, as well as reducing prices for shoppers. However, the CMA also concluded that the wholesale market would remain competitive in the longer term, noting that Booker’s share of the UK grocery wholesaling market – at less than 20% – was not sufficient to justify the longer-term concerns.

Simon Polito, Chair of the inquiry group, said:

Millions of people use their local supermarket or convenience store to buy their groceries or essentials. Strong competition in the market ensures that shoppers can choose the best deal for them.

Our investigation has found that existing competition is sufficiently strong in both the wholesale and retail grocery sectors to ensure that the merger between Tesco and Booker will not lead to higher prices or a reduced service for supermarket and convenience shoppers.

The CMA opened its phase 1 investigation into the merger in May. At the end of June, the companies requested a ‘fast track’ referral to the next stage of the investigation.

This is a provisional decision and the CMA is now inviting further comment and evidence before coming to a final view.

Tesco operates more than 3,000 stores across the UK. Booker supplies services to over 5,000 ‘symbol’ stores as well as to thousands of independent retailers and caterers.

A ‘symbol’ store is an independent grocery retailer operating under a brand owned by a wholesaler. The retailer is usually required to purchase some of its wholesale supplies from the brand owner, in return for use of the brand and other supporting services. Booker’s symbol group brands are Premier, Londis, Budgens and Family Shopper.

The provisional findings also found that Booker operates a very small number of shops. In the areas where Tesco and Booker compete, the CMA has found that existing competition is likely to prevent prices from going up.

The CMA is the UK’s primary competition and consumer authority. It is an independent non-ministerial government department with responsibility for carrying out investigations into mergers, markets and the regulated industries and enforcing competition and consumer law. For CMA updates, follow us on Twitter @CMAgovuk, Facebook, Flickr and LinkedIn.

All the CMA’s functions in phase 2 merger inquiries are performed by inquiry groups chosen from the CMA’s independent panel members. The appointed inquiry group is the decision-maker on phase 2 inquiries. The CMA’s panel members come from a variety of backgrounds, including economics, law, accountancy and/or business. The membership of an inquiry group usually reflects a mix of expertise and experience (including industry experience).

SEATTLE & AUSTIN, Texas- Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) and Whole Foods Market, Inc. (NASDAQ:WFM) today announced that they have entered into a definitive merger agreement under which Amazon will acquire Whole Foods Market for $42 per share in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $13.7 billion, including Whole Foods Market’s net debt.

“Millions of people love Whole Foods Market because they offer the best natural and organic foods, and they make it fun to eat healthy,” said Jeff Bezos, Amazon founder and CEO. “Whole Foods Market has been satisfying, delighting and nourishing customers for nearly four decades – they’re doing an amazing job and we want that to continue.”

“This partnership presents an opportunity to maximize value for Whole Foods Market’s shareholders, while at the same time extending our mission and bringing the highest quality, experience, convenience and innovation to our customers,” said John Mackey, Whole Foods Market co-founder and CEO.

Whole Foods Market will continue to operate stores under the Whole Foods Market brand and source from trusted vendors and partners around the world. John Mackey will remain as CEO of Whole Foods Market and Whole Foods Market’s headquarters will stay in Austin, Texas.

Completion of the transaction is subject to approval by Whole Foods Market’s shareholders, regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. The parties expect to close the transaction during the second half of 2017.

About Amazon
Amazon is guided by four principles: customer obsession rather than competitor focus, passion for invention, commitment to operational excellence, and long-term thinking. Customer reviews, 1-Click shopping, personalized recommendations, Prime, Fulfillment by Amazon, AWS, Kindle Direct Publishing, Kindle, Fire tablets, Fire TV, Amazon Echo, and Alexa are some of the products and services pioneered by Amazon. For more information, visit www.amazon.com/about and follow @AmazonNews.

About Whole Foods Market
Founded in 1978 in Austin, Texas, Whole Foods Market is the leading natural and organic foods supermarket, the first national “Certified Organic” grocer, and uniquely positioned as America’s Healthiest Grocery Store™. In fiscal year 2016, the Company had sales of approximately $16 billion and has more than 460 stores in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Whole Foods Market employs approximately 87,000 team members and has been ranked for 20 consecutive years as one of the “100 Best Companies to Work For” in America by Fortune magazine. For more information, please visit www.WholeFoodsMarket.com or @WholeFoods on Twitter.

The European Commission has today unveiled a series of measures to improve the Value Added Tax (VAT) environment for e-commerce businesses in the EU. Our proposals will allow consumers and companies, in particular start-ups and SMEs, to buy and sell goods and services more easily online.

By introducing an EU wide portal for online VAT payments (the ‘One Stop Shop’), VAT compliance expenses will be significantly reduced, saving businesses across the EU €2.3 billion a year. The new rules will also ensure that VAT is paid in the Member State of the final consumer, leading to a fairer distribution of tax revenues amongst EU countries. Our proposals would help Member States to recoup the current estimated €5 billion of lost VAT on online sales every year. Estimated lost revenues are likely to reach €7 billion by 2020 and it is essential that we act now.

Finally, the Commission is delivering on its pledge to enable Member States to apply the same VAT rate to e-publications such as e-books and online newspapers as for their printed equivalents, removing provisions that excluded e-publications from the favourable tax treatment allowed for traditional printed publications.

Andrus Ansip, Vice President for the Digital Single Market, said: “We are delivering on our promises to unlock e-commerce in Europe. We have already proposed to make parcel delivery more affordable and efficient, to protect consumers better when they buy online and to tackle unjustified geo-blocking. Now we simplify VAT rules: the last piece in the puzzle. Today’s proposal will not only boost businesses, especially the smallest ones and startups, but also make public services more efficient and increase cooperation across borders.”

Pierre Moscovici, Commissioner for Economic Affairs, Taxation and the Customs Union, said: “Online businesses operating in the EU have been asking us to make their lives simpler. Today we’re doing that. Companies big and small that sell abroad online will now deal with VAT in the same way as they would for sales in their own countries. That means less time wasted, less red tape and fewer costs. We’re also simplifying rules for micro-businesses and startups, allowing them to tap new markets more easily. Our proposals mean that European governments stand to gain an additional €100 million a week to spend on services for their citizens.”

Today’s proposals embrace a new approach to VAT for e-commerce and follow up on the commitments made by the European Commission in the Digital Single Market (DSM) strategy for Europe and the Action Plan towards a single EU VAT area.

In particular, we propose:
New rules allowing companies that sell goods online to deal easily with all their EU VAT obligations in one place;
To simplify VAT rules for startups and micro-businesses selling online, VAT on cross-border sales under €10,000 will be handled domestically. SMEs will benefit from simpler procedures for cross-border sales of up to €100,000 to make life easier;
Action against VAT fraud from outside the EU, which can distort the market and create unfair competition;
To enable Member States to reduce VAT rates for e-publications such as e-books and online newspapers.
These legislative proposals will now be submitted to the European Parliament for consultation and to the Council for adoption.

Key actions in detail:
New VAT rules for sales of goods and services online: Currently, online traders have to register for VAT in all the Member States to which they sell goods. Often cited as one of the biggest barriers to cross-border e-commerce, these VAT obligations cost businesses around €8,000 for every EU country into which they sell. We are now proposing that businesses make one simple quarterly return for the VAT due across the whole of the EU, using the online VAT One Stop Shop. This system already exists for sales of e‑services such as mobile phone apps, and has been proven successful with more than €3 billion in VAT being collected through the system in 2015. Administrative burdens for companies will be reduced by a staggering 95%, giving an overall saving to EU business of €2.3 billion and increasing VAT revenues for Member States by €7 billion.

Simplifying VAT rules for micro-businesses and startups: A new yearly threshold of €10,000 in online sales will be introduced under which businesses selling cross-border can continue to apply the VAT rules they are used to in their home country. This will make complying with VAT rules easier for 430,000 companies across the EU, representing 97% of all micro-business trading cross‑border. A second new yearly threshold of €100,000 will make life easier for SMEs when it comes to VAT, with simplified rules for identifying where their customers are based. The thresholds could be applied as early as 2018 on e‑services, and by 2021 for online goods. Other simplifications would allow the smallest businesses to benefit from the same familiar VAT rules of their home country, such as invoicing requirements and record keeping. The first point of contact will always be with the tax administration where the business is located and businesses will no longer be audited by each Member State where they have sales.

Action against VAT fraud from outside the EU: Small consignments imported into the EU that are worth less than €22 are currently exempt from VAT. With around 150 million parcels imported free of VAT into the EU each year, this system is open to massive fraud and abuse, creating major distortions against EU business. Firstly, EU businesses are put at a clear disadvantage since unlike their non-EU competitors, they are liable to apply VAT from the first eurocent sold. Secondly, imported high-value goods such as smartphones and tablets are consistently undervalued or wrongly described in the importation paperwork in order to benefit from this VAT exemption. The Commission has therefore decided to remove this exemption.

Equal rules for taxing e-books, e-newspapers and their printed equivalents: Current rules allow Member States to tax printed publications such as books and newspapers at reduced rates or, in some cases, super-reduced or zero rates. The same rules exclude e-publications, meaning that these products must be taxed at the standard rate. Once agreed by all Member States, the new set-up will allow – but not oblige – Member States to align the rates on e-publications to those on printed publications.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. and HOBOKEN, N.J., – Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. and Jet.com, Inc. today announced they have entered into a definitive agreement for Walmart to acquire Jet for approximately $3 billion in cash, a portion of which will be paid over time. Additionally, $300 million of Walmart shares will be paid over time as part of the transaction.

The acquisition will build on and complement the significant foundation already in place to serve customers across the Walmart app, site and stores and position the company for even faster e-commerce growth in the future by expanding customer reach and adding new capabilities. The acquisition, which is subject to regulatory approval, has been approved by the Boards of Directors for both companies and is expected to close this calendar year.

“We’re looking for ways to lower prices, broaden our assortment and offer the simplest, easiest shopping experience because that’s what our customers want,” said Doug McMillon, president and CEO, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. “We believe the acquisition of Jet accelerates our progress across these priorities. Walmart.com will grow faster, the seamless shopping experience we’re pursuing will happen quicker, and we’ll enable the Jet brand to be even more successful in a shorter period of time. Our customers will win. It’s another jolt of entrepreneurial spirit being injected into Walmart.”

Jet is among the fastest growing and most innovative e-commerce companies in the U.S., with an experienced leadership team led by co-founder and CEO Marc Lore, together with fellow co-founders Mike Hanrahan and Nate Faust. Among other things, Lore previously co-founded and led Quidsi, the parent company of e-commerce sites Diapers.com, Soap.com and Wag.com. With the help of Faust and Hanrahan, Lore grew Quidsi into a prominent and successful business that was ultimately sold. The acquisition of Jet will infuse Walmart with fresh ideas and expertise, as well as an attractive brand with proven appeal, especially with Millennials, the first generation of true digital natives. Among other things, Jet has:

Demonstrated ability to scale with speed, reaching $1 billion in run-rate Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) and offering 12 million SKUs in its first year.
A growing customer base of urban and millennial customers with more than 400,000 new shoppers added monthly and an average of 25,000 daily processed orders.
Best-in-class technology that rewards customers in real time with savings on items that are bought and shipped together, thereby reducing the supply-chain and logistics costs often buried in the price of goods.
A select group of more than 2,400 retailer and brand partners tailored to create an attractive and distinctive assortment for consumers.
“We started Jet with the vision of creating a new shopping experience,” Lore said. “Today, I couldn’t be more excited that we will be joining with Walmart to help fuel the realization of that vision. The combination of Walmart’s retail expertise, purchasing scale, sourcing capabilities, distribution footprint, and digital assets – together with the team, technology and business we have built here at Jet – will allow us to deliver more value to customers.”

Walmart and Jet will maintain distinct brands, with Walmart.com focusing on delivering the company’s Everyday Low Price strategy, while Jet will continue to provide a unique and differentiated customer experience with curated assortment. Walmart and Jet will leverage innovative technology solutions from both companies to develop new offerings to help customers save time and money.

Walmart believes it will obtain the necessary regulatory approvals to complete the transaction and both companies intend to make all necessary filings in the near future.

As a reminder, Walmart will release its second quarter earnings on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016.

Financial advisors to Walmart on this transaction were Allen & Company and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC.

About Walmart
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) helps people around the world save money and live better – anytime and anywhere – in retail stores, online, and through their mobile devices. Each week, nearly 260 million customers and members visit our 11,527 stores under 63 banners in 28 countries and e-commerce websites in 11 countries. With fiscal year 2016 revenue of $482 billion, Walmart employs more than 2.3 million associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunity. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting http://corporate.walmart.com on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/walmart and on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/walmart. Online merchandise sales are available at http://www.walmart.com and http://www.samsclub.com.

ATLANTA, – The Home Depot®, the world’s largest home improvement retailer, is hiring more than 80,000 associates nationwide to ensure its nearly 2,000 stores are staffed and ready for the company’s busiest selling season.

“There’s no better time to join our team than spring, whether you’re a college student, recent grad or a veteran hoping to build a career, a retiree who wants a fun job, or anyone who simply enjoys home improvement,” said Tim Crow, executive vice president—Human Resources.
Opportunities include sales, operations and cashier positions across all departments, from the lumber aisle to the Pro desk to outside garden.
Store Merchandising Execution Teams are seeking new associates to set product merchandising displays, help maintain store appearance, and keep products customer-ready.

The Home Depot’s 75 distribution facilities also are seeking new associates, from Rapid Distribution Centers that replenish stores to the company’s three new Direct Fulfillment Centers that fulfill customers’ online orders.

Applications must be submitted online at The Home Depot’s careers site, www.careers.homedepot.com.
The time Home Depot associates accrue during their seasonal assignments applies to eligibility for benefits if they transition to a permanent position. The Home Depot offers part-time and full-time permanent hourly associates profit sharing, tuition assistance, 401k and a discounted stock purchase plan.

Quick Facts
The Home Depot’s “Success Sharing” profit sharing program has paid out $1.5 billion in bonus checks to hourly associates since it began in 2006.
The Home Depot has granted associates more than $124 million in tuition reimbursement over the past 10 years.
More than 70 percent of Home Depot store managers started as hourly associates.
More than half of Home Depot’s seasonal hires transitioned to permanent positions last year.

Digital Newsroom
For major market hiring numbers and interview tips, visit The Home Depot’s digital newsroom at thd.co/springhiring16.
The Home Depot is the world’s largest home improvement specialty retailer, with 2,274 retail stores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, 10 Canadian provinces and Mexico. In fiscal 2014, The Home Depot had sales of $83.2 billion and earnings of $6.3 billion. The Company employs more than 370,000 associates. The Home Depot’s stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: HD) and is included in the Dow Jones industrial average and Standard & Poor’s 500 index.