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HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill., — Shop Your Way, a free membership program and social shopping community with tens of millions of members, has announced a major expansion of its rewards program with the addition of more than 50 brand-name partners. Once the exclusive membership program of Sears®, Kmart® and Lands’ End, Shop Your Way has expanded to include more partners in more categories, making it possible for members to earn rewards through more places than ever.

“Members are already shopping for many of these products and services and now they can be rewarded for it,” said Eric Jaffe, senior vice president of Shop Your Way. “Our goal is to make it easy to earn rewards wherever you shop, and our growing partner network shows we are poised to deliver.”

Shop Your Way partners include BURGER KING® restaurants, Groupon, Avis Car Rental, Hearst Magazines, Budget®, 1-800-FLOWERS®, Red Envelope, LifeLock®, ScoreBig, and Shoney’s. Examples of everyday discounts and rewards include $25-$50 in points back on services; up to 10 percent back in points on events and entertainment tickets; and two-percent or more in points at thousands of restaurants.

Partners also frequently present limited-time member promotions, above their regular offers. For example, BURGER KING® restaurants just launched a limited-time “Burger Back” promotion that gives members up to $10 ($12 for VIPs) in Shop Your Way points on one BURGER KING® restaurant purchase using their eligible Visa or MasterCard (through July 31, 2014, may only be redeemed once per member).

“It’s like getting one entire Burger King meal back in free points,” Jaffe said.

BURGER KING® restaurants are among the partners contributing to Shop Your Way’s expanded rewards offering via the Card Link program; members register their eligible Visa® or MasterCard® debit or credit cards one time, then automatically earn points every time they make a qualifying purchase with a participating partner. Rewards earned from either program can then be redeemed on millions of products at ShopYourWay.com.

“At Burger King, we’re always looking for new ways to deliver value to our customers,” said Samuel Heath, Director of Market Intelligence at Burger King. “Partnering with Shop Your Way makes it even easier to choose Burger King. It’s ‘great fire-grilled burgers – with a bonus.'”

Additional opportunities for members to save and earn include: Groupon – Members simply purchase any Groupon deal featured on ShopYourWay.com/Groupon – including all of the same localized offers they’re accustomed to seeing – and they’ll automatically receive five percent back in Shop Your Way points; and Hearst Magazines, which is offering specially-priced one-year subscriptions to popular magazines like Good Housekeeping, Woman’s Day, Cosmopolitan, Esquire, and Car & Driver and more at ShopYourWay.com/Mags. Plus, members earn 4,999 points ($4.99) for each subscription purchased.

Visit ShopYourWay.com/Partners to see the complete list of Shop Your Way partners and to learn more about partner rewards. The Shop Your Way channel on YouTube also features an overview of the partners program.

About Shop Your Way
Shop Your Way is a free social shopping destination and rewards program offering millions of products, personalized services, and advice. Through a network of retail partners and service providers, members can shop, compare, purchase items and earn points to use on future purchases. Members also enjoy special pricing, exclusive sales, events, access to celebrity brands and sweepstakes. And through the unique social community on shopyourway.com members can research and browse products, create wish lists, poll friends and family and even get advice from experts to help choose the products and services that best meet their needs.

There is no minimum purchase required for Shop Your Way members to redeem points and points can be used toward purchases across countless product categories. Download the free Shop Your Way app available on iTunes or Google Play.

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 Waytm, 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 more than 2,350 full-line and specialty retail stores in the United States and Canada. For more information, visit www.searsholdings.com.

Target Corp. (NYSE: TGT) announced today that nearly all online orders of $50 or more will now qualify for free shipping.

The new policy, which takes effect immediately, simplifies the experience for guests by making tens of thousands more products eligible for free shipping. Target’s new offer is among the most competitive in the industry in terms of value and breadth. Only oversize and heavy items will be excluded and subject to a handling fee.

“We’ve heard from guests they don’t fully understand our shipping policy – so we’ve changed it to make it simpler and reduce the friction in making purchases on the site,” said Jason Goldberger, senior vice president, Target.com and Mobile. “Providing our guests a better free shipping offer is just one of the many ways we continue to improve the Target.com experience.”

In addition to the new shipping policy, guests can now also browse Target.com for most in-store merchandise and purchase many of those items online to pick up in store. Target also recently expanded it’s online subscriptions service for everyday essentials like diapers and coffee. Additionally, Target.com returns are already free via postal service or by visiting a Target store.

Guests who use a REDcard credit or debit card will continue to receive free shipping and 5% off their purchases on Target.com.

About Target
Minneapolis-based Target Corporation (NYSE: TGT) serves guests at 1,916 stores – 1,789 in the United States and 127 in Canada – and at Target.com. Since 1946, Target has given 5 percent of its profit through community grants and programs; today, that giving equals more than $4 million a week. For more information about Target’s commitment to corporate responsibility, visit target.com/corporateresponsibility. For more information, visit Target.com/Pressroom.

Create an engaging experience, and they will come. That’s the lesson learned by Munchkin, an award-winning manufacturer of baby products, as it recently launched its new direct-to-consumer webstore built on eBay Inc.’s Magento platform. Munchkin’s thriving webstore also uses PayPal for payments, and the company has just tapped eBay Enterprise’s Marketing Solutions for demand generation.

Like many branded manufacturers, Munchkin’s original site’s goal was to offer product and retail partner information and not for processing orders.

In mid-2013, Munchkin decided that it was time to extend its well-known product innovations to its own site. Munchkin partnered with commerce solutions provider Gorilla Group to develop a new ecommerce-optimized website on Magento Enterprise Edition.

The site launch was timed to coincide with the debut of the company’s new, web-exclusive line of luxury baby apparel, mbaby. Using responsive design, the new site is tailored to the needs of parents on the go and is optimized for shopping across any device or screen size. It also features rich product imagery, unique gifting ideas and a seamless checkout process.

Since the January launch, Munchkin has experienced substantial growth in sales and site visits, specifically:

37% increase in visits
122% increase in total units sold
55% increase in units per order
112% increase in average order value
201% increase in daily revenue

Munchkin’s experience illustrates how Magento’s flexibility can empower merchants to more effectively engage customers online and also create a separate branded experience in the same site.

Gorilla reflects on Munchkin’s ecommerce journey on Magento and where ecommerce fits in its overall strategy: “Positioning the ecommerce channel as the focal point for a multi-channel customer experience, we were able to achieve multiple goals. By incorporating direct ecommerce capabilities alongside web retail partner and store locator functionality, we were able to create a cross-channel selling environment that minimizes partner conflict.”

“Tapping into the flexibility of the Magento Enterprise Edition for Munchkin’s direct-to-consumer web store helped facilitate a multichannel customer experience and is helping to establish Munchkin.com as the go-to consumer destination for Munchkin product research, content and new discovery. We are now activating campaigns offered through eBay Enterprise Marketing Solutions,” said Jonathan Bradbury, director of global ecommerce, Munchkin. “The ability to add new commerce solutions across the portfolio, as our business grows, is a great testament to the scalability offered by Magento and eBay Enterprise.”

Following its successful experience with the new website, Munchkin is activating a campaign using search, display, attribution and affiliate solutions offered through eBay Enterprise Marketing Solutions. This is just one example of how eBay Inc. serves SMBs by giving retailers the option to add new commerce technologies from across their portfolio as their businesses grow.

This is courtesy of www.ebay.com

New York, NY & Ridgefield Park, NJ – Samsung Electronics America and NOOK Media, a subsidiary of Barnes & Noble, Inc. (NYSE: BKS), today announced a partnership to develop co-branded Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 NOOK tablets that feature the award-winning Barnes & Noble digital reading experience.

The co-branded devices will combine popular Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 hardware with customized NOOK software to give customers powerful, full-featured tablets that are designed for reading, with easy access to Barnes & Noble’s expansive digital collection of more than three million books, leading magazines and newspapers.

The companies are expected to introduce Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 NOOK in a 7-inch version in the U.S. in early August. The co-branded tablets will be prominently displayed along with NOOK eReaders and sold at Barnes & Noble’s nearly 700 bookstores across the U.S. and online at bn.com, one of the leading e-commerce sites.

“We are very excited and proud to partner with Samsung, a world-class technology and tablet leader, to create customized co-branded devices featuring our valuable NOOK reading experience and digital content catalog for Barnes & Noble customers nationwide,” said Michael P. Huseby, Chief Executive Officer of Barnes & Noble, Inc. “Standing behind these great new devices will be the power of our 40,000 Barnes & Noble booksellers combined with our deep bookselling and retail expertise to provide sales support and personalized in-store customer service for our lineup of new Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 NOOK products. Partnering with Samsung brings our customers great new products and evidences our commitment to our NOOK customers and growing our digital content business.”

Mr. Huseby noted that the Company will continue to offer its NOOK GlowLight™ and continue to provide customer support for its millions of customers. He added that the partnership is a major milestone in Barnes & Noble’s efforts to rationalize the NOOK business. Working with Samsung on co-branded tablets will allow the Company to reduce its exposure to the substantial cost structure and other financial commitments that accompany ownership of the hardware production aspects of the NOOK tablet business. Going forward, the Company will be able to focus on its proven expertise in acquiring and delivering the best digital reading experience to grow NOOK content sales.

“Samsung has had a strong relationship with Barnes & Noble, offering the company’s award-winning reading experience to users of Galaxy Tab products,” said Tim Baxter, President of Samsung Electronics America. “Samsung is dedicated to providing consumers with choices that best fit their lifestyle. So, we are excited to be taking this next step with Barnes & Noble to offer Galaxy Tab 4 devices that are tailored to the needs of their customers and enhance the NOOK reading experience.”
About Barnes & Noble, Inc.
Barnes & Noble, Inc. (NYSE:BKS) is a Fortune 500 company and the leading retailer of content, digital media and educational products. The company operates 663 Barnes & Noble bookstores in 50 states, and one of the Web’s largest e-commerce sites, BN.com (www.bn.com). Its NOOK Media LLC subsidiary is a leader in the emerging digital reading and digital education markets. The NOOK digital business offers award-winning NOOK® products and an expansive collection of digital reading and entertainment content through the NOOK Store® (www.nook.com), while Barnes & Noble College Booksellers, LLC operates 696 bookstores serving over 4.6 million students and faculty members at colleges and universities across the United States.

General information on Barnes & Noble, Inc. can be obtained via the Internet by visiting the company’s corporate website: www.barnesandnobleinc.com.

NOOK® and NOOK Store® are trademarks of Barnes & Noble, Inc. Other trademarks referenced in this release are the property of their respective owners.

About NOOK Media LLC
NOOK reading and entertainment products make it easy to Read What You Love, Anywhere You Like™ with a fun, easy-to-use and immersive digital reading experience. With NOOK, customers gain access to the expansive NOOK Store® of more than 3 million (US) and 2.5 million (UK) digital books, plus periodicals, comics, apps, movies and TV shows, and the ability to enjoy content across a wide array of popular devices through Free NOOK Reading Apps™ available at www.nook.com/freenookapps. NOOK owners receive Always Free NOOK Support in any of Barnes & Noble’s nearly 700 bookstores. Find NOOK devices in Barnes & Noble stores and online at www.nook.com, as well as leading retailers including Best Buy, Walmart, Target and many others. NOOK products are available in the United Kingdom at leading retailers; NOOK content can be purchased at www.nook.co.uk.

For more information on NOOK, follow us on www.twitter.com/nookBN or www.twitter.com/nook_UK and www.facebook.com/nook or www.facebook.com/nookGB.

About Samsung Electronics America
Headquartered in Ridgefield Park, NJ, Samsung Electronics America, Inc. (SEA), is a recognized innovation leader in consumer electronics design and technology. A wholly owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., SEA delivers a broad range of digital consumer electronics, IT and home appliance products. Samsung is the market leader for HDTVs in the U.S and America’s fastest growing home appliance brand. To discover more, please visit www.samsung.com.

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in technology, opening new possibilities for people everywhere. Through relentless innovation and discovery, we are transforming the worlds of TVs, smartphones, tablets, PCs, cameras, home appliances, printers, LTE systems, medical devices, semiconductors and LED solutions. We employ 286,000 people across 80 countries with annual sales of US$216.7 billion.

FRAMINGHAM, Mass.–Staples, Inc. (NASDAQ: SPLS) and Teen Vogue, the number one source of fashion, beauty, and pop-culture news for trendsetting teens, today announced a partnership to make more classroom style happen this back-to-school season with an exclusive product collection.

Beginning in July, Staples stores nationwide and Staples.com will be stocked with unique Teen Vogue products, including exclusive Staples BETTER® binders, notebooks, folders, pencil pouches, pencils, pens, compact staplers, lipstick and other die-cut erasers, sticky notes, clipboards, and more that make it easy for students to show their style and keep up with the latest trends. Staples will also be the official school-supplies destination for Teen Vogue’s annual Back-to-School Saturdays initiative.

“Staples and Teen Vogue are setting the style standard this back-to-school season so that every fashion-loving student can succeed in the classroom and keep up with the hottest trends,” said Scott Young, senior vice president, product and business development, Staples. “Students love school supplies that reflect their individual style, and we are excited to bring this trendsetting collection to our customers.”

The Staples brand product team and Teen Vogue editors worked together to create an exclusive collection of back-to-school supplies inspired by runway trends for 2014. The result is an authentic, fashionable, and functional collection perfect for any scene-stealing teen.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with Staples on an exclusive assortment of back-to-school supplies for millennial shoppers,” said Amy Astley, Editor in Chief, Teen Vogue. “Our editors took inspiration from looks straight off the runway to create patterns and designs, so trendsetting students can now pair function with fashion both inside and outside the classroom.”

The Teen Vogue collection, exclusively at Staples, includes a wide assortment of products in four distinct style families.

Electric Jungle
Oversized animal prints in explosive colors are the theme in Electric Jungle patterns. Reinterpreted cheetah and giraffe prints mixed with metallics will make a bright splash in lockers.
Punk Prodigy
Punk Prodigy patterns showcase the attitude and rebellion of a fashion revolution. With graphic plaids, skull patterns, and medallions, the Punk Prodigy trend will make a statement in classrooms.
Rive Gauche
These fun and full-of-life patterns offer a contemporary twist to classic Parisian feminine dressing. From oversized polka dots and hearts to bright candy colors, the Rive Gauche trend will bring an optimistic style to school hallways.
Festive Floral
Soft colors and tiny floral prints show off a sweeter side. Mixed and matched floral patterns will bring a flirty sophistication to students’ school supplies.
Visit http://www.staples.com/teenvogue for more information. Media can visit http://www.staples.com/btspr for more news and photos throughout the season.

About Staples
Staples makes it easy to make more happen with more products and more ways to shop. Through its world-class retail, online, and delivery capabilities, Staples lets customers shop however and whenever they want, whether it’s in-store, online, or on mobile devices. Staples offers more products than ever, such as technology, facility and break room supplies, furniture, safety supplies, medical supplies, and copy and print services. Staples also offers free shipping for Staples Rewards Members, in most cases overnight. Headquartered outside of Boston, Staples operates throughout North and South America, Europe, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. More information about Staples (SPLS) is available at www.staples.com.

About Teen Vogue
Teen Vogue, a Condé Nast publication, a division of Advance Publications, which operates in 25 countries, is the number one source of fashion and beauty news for style-conscious teens and 20-somethings everywhere. In the United States, Condé Nast publishes 18 consumer magazines, two trade publications, and 27 websites that garner international acclaim and unparalleled consumer engagement. The Teen Vogue brand brings the sophistication and authority of Vogue to a new generation of savvy young women who desire to be on the cutting edge of fashion, beauty, and culture. Launched in February 2003, Teen Vogue publishes 10 issues a year and has a circulation of more than 1,000,000 readers.

Read more: http://staples.newshq.businesswire.com/press-release/back-school/staples-and-teen-vogue-partner-exclusive-back-school-collection-make-more-#ixzz354x1O0fw

NEW YORK—- On Friday, July 4th, a national historic landmark will set a dramatic stage for dazzling pyrotechnics as the 38th Annual Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks® ignite the sky over New York City – Live from the Brooklyn Bridge. Set to deliver the nation’s largest display of patriotic firepower and ready to dazzle more than 3 million spectators and millions more on television nationwide, Macy’s Fireworks this year will be launched from barges positioned on the lower East River and from the world-famous Brooklyn Bridge.

“Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks are a one-of-a-kind spectacle that will once again inspire audiences nationwide as we illuminate the shores of lower Manhattan and Brooklyn with stunning effects, color and sound,” said Amy Kule, executive producer of Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks. “This year, we are thrilled to incorporate the magnificent Brooklyn Bridge as a showcase for never-before-seen effects and as a stunning backdrop to the multi-dimensional, hyperkinetic experience of the nation’s best Independence Day fireworks display.”

Against the iconic New York City skyline, the 38th annual Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks will fire more than 40,000 pyrotechnic shells and effects during an expertly synchronized display. Pyro Spectaculars by Souza is once again at the helm of the pyrotechnics set to launch from the Brooklyn Bridge and from three barges positioned on the lower East River between the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges heading south towards the historic South Street Seaport district and the shores of Brooklyn’s famed piers and promenade.

Beginning with the score, the musical blueprint to the high-flying explosions will be a patriotic wonder. The 25-minute display will be choreographed to dynamic new arrangements of both classic patriotic favorites and new musical selections. From “God Bless America” to “This Land Is Your Land,” the score will feature the talents of the all-female musicians of The DIVA Jazz Orchestra; with vocal artistry featuring Tony Award® winner Billy Porter helming the new song “It’s a Patriotic Kind of Day;” the world-famous Charlie Daniels Band on the patriotic “My Home;” and the acclaimed vocal ensemble Judith Clurman’s Essential Voices USA putting their special touch on “America the Beautiful.” In honor of the 200th anniversary of “The Star Spangled Banner,” Broadway superstar and Tony Award-winner Idina Menzel will inspire the entire nation with her heartfelt rendition of the National Anthem. As a special fan treat, Menzel’s spectacular version of “The Star Spangled Banner” will be available as a free, limited-time download from June 14 – July 5 on macys.com/fireworks.

Since 1976, Macy’s Fireworks have grown in scale and artistry as they burst to life over many of New York City’s waterways and neighborhoods. Incorporating landmarks and milestones is a Macy’s Fireworks signature. Macy’s last showcased the Brooklyn Bridge in its Fireworks spectacle in 1995. This year’s more intricate and advanced creative presentation on the Bridge will accentuate a jam-packed show of stunning effects.

Amy Kule added, “We’ve had our eyes set to feature this world-famous landmark in our show for many years, and with the advancements in pyrotechnic technology and artistry we expect to launch a series of custom effects at various featured points during the 25-minute show that will delight millions of spectators as this quintessential New York icon joins the 4th of July party.”

From a rapid-fire comet chase along the roadways and towers to a stunning rainbow cascade effect, the highlighted moments of the Brooklyn Bridge’s integration into the show will enhance the dynamic multi-angle, multi-dimensional fireworks presentation along the lower East River. With 5,000 custom-made effects among others emanating from the Bridge at various points during the display, the presentation ranges from special accent moments to full-scale Bridge solos, creating a spectacle fit for the record books. The 38th annual display which begins at approximately 9:20 p.m., will also debut new shells and effects including a red serpent star fish, puffy snowballs with red and blue centers, and amber-colored glitter shells. Revelers lining viewing locations are encouraged to enjoy the full experience by tuning in to radio station 1010 WINS-AM to hear the musical score to which the show is choreographed.

Macy’s explosive spectacle is made possible in part by Cracker Jack®, FYI™ Network, The Howard Hughes Corporation’s South Street Seaport, Kool-Aid®, Planters®, South Street Seaport Museum, and is presented in partnership with the City of New York.

Fans joining the revelry in person along viewing points on the water will be in for extra special treats as the fun begins with two rumbling flyovers from United States Navy F-18 jets at approximately 7:30 p.m. and a patriotic flight from the NYPD Helicopter unit at approximately 7:45 p.m.. In addition, the FDNY will return with their famed 4th of July water show beginning at 8 p.m. Public viewing locations and dedicated entry points will be set up along various streets in the South Street Seaport historic district for FDR Drive viewing in lower Manhattan and from various streets in Brooklyn for access to Brooklyn Bridge Park Piers 1-6, as well as the Brooklyn Heights Promenade.

Spectators from coast-to-coast will also have a front row view of the pyro in the sky by tuning to NBC’s national broadcast of “Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular” at 8 p.m. ET (check local listings). In addition to the pyrotechnics, the 4th of July’s most popular entertainment special will be hosted by Nick Cannon and feature performances from Ariana Grande, Hunter Hayes, Miranda Lambert, Lionel Ritchie, and more of the nation’s hottest musical acts.

For more information on the 38th annual Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks including detailed public viewing entry points and spectator tips, please visit www.macys.com/fireworks or call the Macy’s Fireworks Hotline at (212) 494-4495. For marine viewing information please call 212-494-5243.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill., — This year, Father’s Day will be more than just one day of celebration as the Craftsman brand remakes the holiday, serving up new traditions, including a cool “Dad” anthem, bacon-inspired wrapping paper, and the ultimate “MAKEcation” weekend. The Craftsman MAKEcation is a legendary vacation where making things with your hands takes center stage. It’s like a fantasy camp for tool enthusiasts, hosted by actor and comedian Rob Riggle, with expert instructors from across the US.

Actor and comedian Rob Riggle announces the Craftsman MAKEcation, Wednesday, June 4, 2014, in New York. MAKEcation is the ultimate “making” vacation to be held Labor Day weekend. Attendees will learn skills from hardcore blacksmiths, rugged woodworkers and cigar rolling experts. Visit www.craftsmanmakecation.com to enter for a chance to win a coveted spot for the event or to buy a ticket.

“For decades, the Craftsman brand has been America’s most trusted tool brand, with innovations that have allowed Americans to ignite their passion for building and making,” said Michael Castleman, president of Kenmore, Craftsman and DieHard brands and senior vice president of Sears Holdings. “MAKEcation continues in this tradition and gives our members an opportunity to enhance existing skills, learn new ones and just have fun in the process of making things.”

Now through July 12, Craftsman Club and Shop Your WayTM members can enter for a chance to win a coveted spot on the trip, and even gift their winning ticket to their dad for the ultimate Father’s Day gift*. The Craftsman MAKEcation is a four-day experience set in the picturesque mountains of Southern California at Lake Arrowhead Resort and Spa over the Labor Day weekend. It’s easy to enter for a chance to win – visit www.CraftsmanMAKEcation.com for details and click the “Enter For A Chance To Win On Shop Your Way” button. Craftsman Club and Shop Your WayTM members can also purchase a spot on the trip for $5,000.

“I live for my tool belt, getting my hands dirty making and building things like my kids’ swing set. I have always been made to make,” said Rob Riggle, host of the Craftsman MAKEcation. “I can’t wait to head to the mountains and teach the attendees some making skills and expect to learn from them, as well. As a dad, I would love getting a trip to MAKEcation as a gift.”

Not a Craftsman Club member? It’s easy to sign up. Members will be eligible to win a spot at MAKEcation and receive access to exclusive deals, members-only projects and events, expert tips and news on the latest tool innovations from the brand. Craftsman Club is part of the Shop Your WayTM network, so points can be redeemed for purchases at Sears and Kmart and online at Craftsman.com. For more information, visit www.CraftsmanClub.com.

*No purchase necessary to enter or win a prize. Sweepstakes ends July 12, 2014. Sweepstakes open to legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia who are 18 years of age or older. Void where prohibited. Sweepstakes subject to complete Official Rules available at www.craftsmanmakecation.com.

About Craftsman
The Craftsman brand is America’s most trusted tool brand. For 87 years, the Craftsman brand has developed innovative tools and products, earning a reputation for unsurpassed quality and durability, trusted for generations. The Craftsman brand offers a full range of hand and power tools that meet the needs of the DIY user to the demanding professional. In addition, the Craftsman brand also offers lawn and garden products and tool storage.

About Shop Your WayTM
Shop Your WayTM is a free and instant member-based loyalty program and social shopping community that offers rewards, personalized services and a unique experience. The integrated retail platform creates new convenience for members by connecting all of the ways to shop – in store, at home, online and by phone. Members can browse, review and purchase items, create custom wish lists to share with friends and family, seek advice and enter amazing daily sweepstakes. In addition, Shop Your Way offers members access to exclusive celebrity brand pages including Adam Levine and Nicki Minaj. Members can also earn and redeem points based on purchases and tracking healthy movement through fitstudio.com Points for Progress program.

There is no minimum required for Shop Your Way members to redeem points and points can be used toward purchases across countless product categories. Download the free Shop Your Way app available on iTunes or Google Play.

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 WayTM, 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 more than 2,350 full-line and specialty retail stores in the United States and Canada. For more information, visit www.searsholdings.com

With growth in cross-border trade skyrocketing, eBay China VP John Lin recently weighed in in an interview on the challenge of leading in this exciting market. Here are his thoughts.

How much has the Greater China Export business grown in the last few years?
It’s been a privilege to see our export business develop from a very small operation in 2006 (generating several million dollars in GMV) to the multi-billion dollar business it is today. China currently accounts for 250 of eBay’s 1,000 biggest sellers globally, which gives you an idea of how far we’ve come.

What has made that kind of growth possible?
Back in 2006 there were lots of problems and risks associated with retail export in China, including fraud and counterfeit goods. But we saw the enormous potential and realised what could be done if we provided sellers with the right training and support to market their products globally. By introducing strict regulation, verification and monitoring of our sellers, we reinvented the world’s perception of doing business with China online.

Do you think there had been a misconception of Chinese sellers in the past?
I do think that ensuring our sellers meet our high retail and service standards has increased trust, yes, but there is still a misconception that our sellers offer value simply because they can source products cheaply. Our biggest sellers ship around 50,000 products a day to 200 countries, so these are highly complex, efficient operations. It’s all about being able to scale things up and that’s something our sellers are very good at.

How has eBay helped them achieve this?
We have a very effective account management team and are passionate about helping our sellers be profitable, encouraging them to invest and to expand into other countries. Their success is our success, so everyone, including the customers, benefits. We give them a route to market that is trusted internationally and the peace of mind of harmonized customer support. We’re also getting our sellers to move towards heavier, higher price items by helping them improve their warehousing capabilities. What few people realize is that around a third of the items they currently buy from Chinese sellers are already held in warehouses in Europe or the US, so this is already happening and I see that increasing.

Why is the Greater China Retail Export market so important to eBay?
It is a massive growth market and is destined to be the number one country for ecommerce in the coming years. Our margins are good and we currently contribute more than a fifth of the total items sold on eBay’s US site. Plus, the statistics show that a significant proportion of first-time eBay buyers make their first purchase from Greater China.

What are your hopes for the future and what challenges lie ahead?
I think we have everything we need to maintain our position as a premium operator and our plans are now to help our sellers make the shift from exporting mainly low cost, low weight products to more expensive, heavier items. In terms of challenges, when you have a winning formula, clearly your competitors will follow. One of our main rivals, Alibaba, has much smaller fees, which is giving them plenty of success, especially in exporting to emerging markets. Amazon is also increasingly active, so we need to keep progressing.

This is courtesy of www.ebay.com

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark., – At the company’s Annual Shareholders Meeting, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. President and CEO Doug McMillon reaffirmed Walmart’s mission and outlined new ways the company will serve customers through three core principles.

“First, we will be a customer-driven company. We’ve always said the customer is our boss and we’ll make decisions based on how we can serve them better,” said McMillon. “Second, we will invest in our people. As we change and grow, it will be our associates who will make the difference. Finally, we need to be at the forefront of innovation and technology. We will lead with urgency to get ahead of change.”

Customer-Driven
McMillon said Walmart is picking up the pace of change to serve the customer better. “Customers will increasingly expect and require the best of both worlds. They want the excitement and the immediacy of shopping in a physical store and the freedom to shop whenever, however and wherever they want. They want an experience that seamlessly adapts to their life. Walmart can bring together our stores with new digital commerce capabilities to help customers save money, save time, and have access to what they want and need. Walmart will exceed their expectations,” McMillon said.

McMillon continued, “Our stores, 11,000 and growing, will provide access and convenience. If you need it right here, right now, we’ve got it. We will run great stores and clubs with great associates. We’ll keep adding services and pick-up points to our stores to become even more convenient. We’ll also strive to have collection points wherever our customers want us to be, and we’ve seen the demand for food delivery in places like the U.K., Mexico and China. And of course, we’ll keep improving our traditional e-commerce offering of ordering online and shipping to customers’ homes.”

McMillon also discussed how Walmart would run better stores today to drive same-store sales. He called for: “Price leadership. Strong in stock. Friendly customer service and compelling merchandise. Items that surprise and delight. Merchandise that is presented aggressively. When we’re at our best, the features in our stores anticipate what our customers want and need,” he said.

President and CEO of Sam’s Club Rosalind Brewer spoke about the importance of personalizing the customer and member experience. “Today at Walmart, our data is more organized, more analyzed and more visualized than ever,” said Brewer. “This is helping us make faster and smarter business decisions. But most important, it’s helping personalize our service to customers and members. Retailers that lead on data and personalization will be the retailers of the future.”

Investing in Our Associates
McMillon also emphasized the importance of Walmart’s associates and said they are the company’s competitive advantage. “To bring all of this to life, we’re investing in our people,” he said. “I’m proud of the jobs and opportunities we offer, and we can do an even better job of creating opportunities to learn and grow. We’ll prepare our associates to serve customers better, while building the careers you want at Walmart.”

President and CEO of Walmart U.S. Bill Simon said the company is investing in new programs that will give associates even more opportunity. “We’re re-defining what it means to work at Walmart and we’re going to be even clearer about what it takes for associates to advance. We’re working to create more flexible work schedules to support you and the needs of all our associates, now and in the future,” Simon said.

Leading at the Forefront of Technology and Innovation
“We will also develop new capabilities to serve customers in new ways. It is important that we all understand the shift that has happened in technology and retail, what it means for us and what we’re doing to win. There’s a lot of innovation and opportunity available to us.” McMillon said.

President and CEO of Walmart International David Cheesewright focused on how customers are changing and how associates are innovating to exceed their expectations. “Wherever we operate, everything starts with the customer, and I see customers’ shopping habits changing more rapidly than I can remember,” said Cheesewright. “Customers are shopping more online, with mobile devices, and they really like convenience. If our customer changes fast, we have to change even faster if we want to continue to exceed her expectations.”

President and CEO of Walmart Global eCommerce Neil Ashe highlighted the strong growth of e-commerce sales and how Walmart is bringing together digital and physical retail to serve customers better. “We are integrating digital retail and physical retail to create one seamless, customer-driven Walmart experience. This is providing our shoppers with more value, more time, and greater access,” said Ashe. “We are helping people save money in new and convenient ways so they can live a better life. And we’re doing it by bringing together the best of e-commerce and the best of retail.”

Keeping Its Culture Strong, Always
McMillon reaffirmed Walmart’s commitment to its purpose, culture and values. “Our values won’t change. Integrity, service, respect and excellence – these are our guiding beliefs and our behaviors will support those beliefs. Our culture is what makes us special,” McMillon said.

“We believe in Walmart’s responsibility to lead on big issues, in big ways. It’s one of the reasons many of us love being part of Walmart. There are so many ways that Walmart can make a difference around the world. We’re committed to doing just that. We will strengthen the trust we’ve established with customers and the communities we serve,” said McMillon.

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, more than 250 million customers and members visit our 10,994 stores under 71 banners in 27 countries and e-commerce websites in 10 countries. With fiscal year 2014 sales of over $473 billion, Walmart employs more than 2 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. Online merchandise sales are available at http://www.walmart.com and http://www.samsclub.com.

Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT) today announced it is partnering with Altuzarra – a luxury fashion brand known for merging femininity, sophistication and practicality – on a limited-edition collection of women’s ready-to-wear, accessories and shoes. The collection will be available Sept. 14 at most Target stores in the United States and Canada, as well as Target.com. Additionally, an edited assortment of the Target collection will be available globally at NET-A-PORTER.COM.

“As a designer, I believe firmly in the transformative power of fashion. It has the ability to not only change how you look, but also how you feel,” said Joseph Altuzarra, the brand’s designer and creative director. “I’ve admired the elegance that Target brings to fast fashion. By working together on this capsule collection, we hope to instill a sense of power, confidence and beauty in women everywhere.”

The Altuzarra brand is celebrated for embodying a combination of French sophistication and American ease, appealing to refined, independent women. This fall, Altuzarra’s aesthetic arrives at Target, empowering women to discover the transformative power of fashion at affordable prices. The collection features a mix of iconic Altuzarra silhouettes with designs created specifically for Target. It includes nearly 50 items, ranging in price from $17.99 to $89.99 for apparel and lingerie, and $29.99 to $79.99 for shoes and accessories.

“We’re always on the hunt for designers who we believe will inspire our guests,” said Trish Adams, executive vice president of apparel and home, Target. “Joseph’s passion for making women feel confident in their fashion choices is unrivaled, and this fall, Target’s guests can experience his signature style at prices that are almost too good to be true.”

“We are thrilled to be a part of this collaboration with Target and Altuzarra,” states Alison Loehnis, president, NET-A-PORTER.COM. “The collection is everything we have come to expect from Joseph’s aesthetic – chic, sophisticated and modern. We are so excited to offer NET-A-PORTER customers an opportunity to own these fabulous pieces.”

Season after season, the Altuzarra brand continues to grow in popularity, with a strong celebrity following including Jennifer Lawrence, Kate Bosworth, Cameron Diaz, Michelle Dockery and Cate Blanchett, among others. Born in Paris and raised by a Chinese-American mother and French father, Joseph attended Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania and remained in the United States to begin his design career in New York City. His multicultural influences and early work with prominent designers led him to establish his namesake line in 2008. From there, Joseph quickly became a fashion force, receiving numerous prestigious awards and nominations. In January 2010, he was the recipient of the Ecco Domani Fashion Fund Award and Fashion Group International’s Rising Star of the Year Award. He also received the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA)/Vogue Fashion Fund Award in 2011 and the CFDA Swarovski Award for Womenswear Design in 2012. Most recently, he received a nomination for the 2014 CFDA Womenswear Designer of the Year.

More information about Altuzarra for Target is available on ABullseyeView.com. Guests can join in on the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using #AltuzarraforTarget.

About Target
Minneapolis-based Target Corporation (NYSE: TGT) serves guests at 1,916 stores – 1,789 in the United States and 127 in Canada – and at Target.com. Since 1946, Target has given 5 percent of its profit through community grants and programs; today, that giving equals more than $4 million a week. For more information about Target’s commitment to corporate responsibility, visit target.com/corporateresponsibility.

About NET-A-PORTER.COM
NET-A-PORTER.COM was launched in June 2000 and has since established itself as the world’s premier online luxury fashion destination. Presented in the style of a fashion magazine,
NET-A-PORTER.COM features collections from over 350 of the world’s most coveted designers, including Chloe, Marc Jacobs, Burberry, Miu Miu and Stella McCartney. In 2013, NET-A-PORTER added beauty as a new category. With its acclaimed editorial format, express worldwide shipping to 170 countries (including same-day delivery to Manhattan and London), luxurious packaging and easy returns, NET-A-PORTER.COM offers an unparalleled shopping experience.

Known for bringing great design to the masses through signature partnerships and products, Target Corp. (NYSE: TGT) is now introducing “Made to Matter – Handpicked by Target.” The first-of-its-kind collection brings together 17 leading natural, organic and sustainable brands to introduce new products and make them more accessible to guests.

“Our guests are looking for products they can feel good bringing home without sacrificing price and performance,” said Kathee Tesija, executive vice president, Merchandising and Supply Chain, Target. “We’re taking the guesswork out of buying better-for-you products by bringing together 17 trusted brands.”

Spanning Target’s Baby, Beauty and Personal Care, Grocery, Healthcare and Household product categories, Made to Matter brands include Annie’s Homegrown, Burt’s Bees, Chobani, Clif Bar & Company, Ella’s Kitchen, EVOL, Horizon Organic, Hyland’s, Kashi, Method, Plum Organics, Seventh Generation, SheaMoisture, Target’s Simply Balanced, Vita Coco, Yes To and Zarbee’s Naturals. The Made to Matter collection includes all products currently offered at Target by the participating brands and at least one new exclusive item from each brand.

There will be more than 120 new and limited-time exclusive Made to Matter products. They range from first-to-market product designs and innovations to new scent and flavor options. Products will be available throughout the store, both in the products’ usual aisles and as part of specialized collection displays. Select products also will be available on Target.com and Target’s mobile app. First introduced in Target stores at the end of March, new Made to Matter products will be added throughout spring and summer, with the complete collection available by September 2014.

For additional information on “Made to Matter – Handpicked by Target,” visit Target.com/Pressroom and ABullseyeView.com.

About Target

Minneapolis-based Target Corporation (NYSE: TGT) serves guests at 1,924 stores – 1,797 in the United States and 127 in Canada – and at Target.com. Since 1946, Target has given 5 percent of its profit through community grants and programs; today, that giving equals more than $4 million a week. For more information about Target’s commitment to corporate responsibility, visit target.com/corporateresponsibility.

WAYNE, NJ – At presentations today for investors, industry analysts and the media, Toys“R”Us, Inc. outlined its strategy for improving the company’s operational performance and positioning the business to drive profitable growth in the future. Antonio Urcelay, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, Toys“R”Us, Inc., and Hank Mullany, President, Toys“R”Us, U.S., provided a comprehensive assessment of the company’s fiscal 2013 performance and discussed the go-forward priorities and actions that will drive its “TRU Transformation” strategy.

“As we look to the future, our strategy will establish a path to sustainable business growth, building upon the company’s unique strengths. Toys“R”Us is one of the most recognized brands in the world with a strong international presence and a large and loyal customer base,” Mr. Urcelay said. “Our global network of stores generates strong profitability, and together with our $1.2 billion global e-commerce business, is integral to our growing omnichannel capabilities. And, as the world’s leading dedicated toy and juvenile products retailer, we have well-established relationships with our manufacturing partners, and can provide them with a year-round distribution outlet that showcases the broadest selection of their products in 36 countries around the world.”

Mr. Urcelay added, “Our 2013 performance was, no doubt, disappointing. While this was partly driven by macro conditions, such as the decline in birth rates since 2007 which has contributed to stagnating overall toy and baby industry sales, and the rapid growth of online shopping, we cannot blame these factors. We believe that several execution issues also impacted these results. Over the past several months, we have undertaken a comprehensive analysis and diagnosis of the business, and believe we have four main issues to resolve – improve the customer experience in-store and online, make progress on changing price perception, put disciplines back into inventory management, and right-size our cost structure on a global basis. We are encouraged that all of these foundational issues are firmly within our own control to fix, and our strategy will address these to improve the business over the short-term and put the company on track for the future.”

Mr. Mullany noted, “Our ‘TRU Transformation’ strategy is grounded in consumer research and customer insights, and is anchored by three guiding principles – Easy, Expert, Fair. Among our highest priorities will be to deepen our focus on the customer, build meaningful relationships through loyalty and targeted marketing programs, and improve the shopping experience both in-store and online. This will include putting more emphasis on the distinct needs of our customer base of new and expectant parents and gift-givers. We are committed to delivering on our mission to bring joy into the lives of our customers by being the toy and juvenile products authority and definitive destination for kid fun, gift-giving solutions and parenting services.”

For 2014, the objective of “TRU Transformation” will be to slow the company’s sales decline, stabilize cash flow and improve EBITDA to effectively position the business to grow revenue and profits in 2015 and beyond. “TRU Transformation” will focus on four key priorities:

Transform the shopping experience in-store and online. To improve the customer experience in-store and online and become a customer-centric business, the company has already begun to implement initiatives, such as cleaning up existing stores and improving in-store execution; improving out-of-stocks and the speed of checkout; solidifying customer relationships through strengthened loyalty and targeted marketing programs;improving price perception by developing a clear pricing strategy and simplifying promotional offers; and optimizing the e-commerce experience by capitalizing on the online shopping growth and omnichannel integration with stores.

During the meeting, Mr. Mullany unveiled a new customer promise to provide the broadest selection of products to help kids and babies develop, learn, have fun and be safe; be the easiest place to research and find solutions throughout the journey of parenthood; and be the best resource for children’s gift-giving occasions – all at fair prices in an environment that offers expert service and unique services with the ability to shop whenever, wherever and however they want.

Collaborate with business partners to drive differentiation, innovation and value. As part of “TRU Transformation,” Toys“R”Us will leverage business partner relationships in the U.S. and abroad to drive category leadership and effective differentiation in products, events and services, and create exciting shops and product statements in-store.

Develop high-performing, highly engaged, diverse talent. Internally, priorities will include reviewing the organizational structure, creating an infrastructure that promotes talent development, maintaining a culture of productivity and accountability, driving training in the areas that matter most for customers, cultivating a culture of engagement, and enhancing the ability to hire and retain great talent.

Become fit for growth. The company will focus on improving operational and financial performance, while positioning the business to capitalize on future growth opportunities through the implementation of a right-sized cost structure, a strong focus on disciplined inventory management, and the deployment of capital to key growth initiatives.
Right-size the cost structure. Overall, the company is in the midst of a renewed assessment of its operations and business structure to determine where greater efficiencies can be created and where additional resources can be allocated to help best serve customers. As part of this evaluation, in a comprehensive review of functional areas throughout the organization, a number of opportunities were identified to streamline functions and reduce headcount. In total, throughout its U.S. and International operations, Toys“R”Us, Inc. has now eliminated more than 500 positions across all functions. The company has been actively helping with the transition of those impacted by offering all eligible employees severance benefits and outplacement services. In addition, there are some areas of the business where the optimal go-forward structure is still being evaluated based on strategic reviews currently underway.
Like all retailers, the company regularly looks at the performance of its physical locations to ensure they are meeting the needs of the business. While it may close some stores during the year primarily due to lease expirations, at this time the company has no plans to close a significant number of stores. After a thorough evaluation of its current fulfillment capabilities in the U.S., the company has made the decision to close the McCarran Distribution Center in Storey County, Nevada effective June 1, 2014. Over the past few years, the company has expanded its omnichannel capabilities and the ability to ship online orders from stores and distribution centers that serve stores, resulting in the ability to flex inventory more efficiently, leverage underutilized space and ship from points closer to customers. The company will continue to open stores and expand fulfillment capabilities in markets where it makes the most sense, including in China where growth has accelerated.
No near-term debt, strong balance sheet, ample liquidity. The company ended the year with a strong liquidity position of approximately $1.8 billion and reduced its total long-term debt by $322 million to $5 billion. In addition, it successfully refinanced its $1.85 billion senior secured revolving credit facility in last week, a key component of the company’s capital structure. The execution of this transaction ensures the company’s ability to appropriately fund the working capital needs of its operations at rates that are significantly lower than the prior revolving credit facility. The company has no material outstanding debt repayments due until 2016, providing a large window to grow and develop new strategic initiatives.
To learn more about “TRU Transformation,” please visit the company’s corporate website, Toysrusinc.com, where it has posted presentation materials.

About Toys“R”Us, Inc.
Toys“R”Us, Inc. is the world’s leading dedicated toy and juvenile products retailer, offering a differentiated shopping experience through its family of brands. Merchandise is sold in 873 Toys“R”Us and Babies“R”Us stores in the United States and Puerto Rico, and in more than 715 international stores and over 180 licensed stores in 35 countries and jurisdictions. In addition, it exclusively operates the legendary FAO Schwarz brand and sells extraordinary toys in the brand’s flagship store on Fifth Avenue in New York City. With its strong portfolio of e-commerce sites including Toysrus.com, Babiesrus.com, eToys.com and FAO.com, it provides shoppers with a broad online selection of distinctive toy and baby products. Headquartered in Wayne, NJ, Toys“R”Us, Inc. employs approximately 70,000 associates annually worldwide. The company is committed to serving its communities as a caring and reputable neighbor through programs dedicated to keeping kids safe and helping them in times of need. Additional information about Toys“R”Us, Inc. can be found on Toysrusinc.com.

This news is courtesy of www.toysrusinc.com

Washington, D.C. – The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), as conservator of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, today announced it has reached a settlement in cases involving Bank of America, Countrywide Financial, Merrill Lynch, and certain named individuals totaling approximately $5.83 billion. Bank of America Corporation owns Countrywide and Merrill Lynch. The cases alleged violations of federal and state securities laws in connection with
private-label, residential mortgage-backed securities (PLS) purchased by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac between 2005 and 2007. Allegations of common law fraud were made in the Countrywide and Merrill Lynch cases.

The Agreement provides for an aggregate payment of approximately $9.33 billion by Bank of America that includes the litigation resolution as well as a purchase of securities by Bank of America from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

“FHFA has acted under its statutory mandate to recover losses incurred by the companies and American taxpayers and has concluded that this resolution represents a reasonable and prudent settlement of these cases. This settlement also represents an important step in helping restore stability to our broader mortgage market and moving to bring back the role of private firms in providing mortgage credit. Many potential homeowners will benefit from increasing certainty in the marketplace and that is very much the direction we should be taking,” said FHFA Director Melvin L. Watt.

This news is courtesy of www.fhfa.gov

BENTONVILLE, Ark. – Walmart is giving the more than 110 million gamers across the U.S. a new way to unlock value in their current purchases and save even more when it comes to one of the fastest-growing forms of entertainment.

Starting Wednesday, March 26, customers will be able to trade in their video games and apply the value immediately towards the purchase of anything sold at Walmart and Sam’s Club, both in stores and online. The traded-in games will then be sent to be refurbished and made available for purchase in like-new condition at a great low price.

“Gaming continues to be an important business for us and we’re actively taking aim at the $2 billion pre-owned video game opportunity,” said Duncan Mac Naughton, chief merchandising and marketing officer for Walmart U.S. “When we disrupt markets and compete, our customer wins. They’ll save money on video games and have the flexibility to spend it however they want.”

How it Works

Walmart’s video game trade-in program is easy.
Customers bring their working video games, in the original packaging, to the electronics department.
Associates scan the UPC code on the case and evaluate the game for obvious damage such as deep scratches or cracks.
The customer is then provided with a trade-in value for each game to accept.
The total value accepted by the customer is awarded immediately and can be applied at checkout in a Walmart store or Sam’s Club, or online at Walmart.com or SamsClub.com

Available at more than 3,100 Walmart stores nationwide, the new trade-in service will accept thousands of games for popular consoles like the Sony PlayStation3 and Microsoft Xbox 360. Trade-in value will vary.

Later this year, Walmart customers will also be able to purchase pre-owned video games in stores and on Walmart.com. The video games will be labeled “Certified Pre-Owned” which means the product is fully refurbished and in like-new condition.

“While new releases will remain the focus of our gaming business, we’re glad to give our customers the option to buy pre-owned games,” added Mac Naughton.

Walmart’s Trade-In Continues to Grow In-Store and Online
Walmart’s in-store video game trade-in program builds on its existing trade-in offerings. In-store, customers can trade in tablets and smartphones and apply the trade-in value towards the purchase of a new device. Online at www.walmart.com/gadgetstogiftcards, customers can receive credit for a larger range of products such as MP3 players, cameras and laptops, in addition to smartphones, tablets and video games.

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, more than 245 million customers and members visit our 10,955 stores under 69 banners in 27 countries and ecommerce websites in 10 countries. With fiscal year 2013 sales of approximately $466 billion, Walmart employs more than 2 million associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunity.

This news is courtesy of www.walmart.com

PLEASANTON, CA and BOISE, ID – Safeway Inc. (NYSE: SWY) and Albertsons announced today a definitive agreement under which AB Acquisition LLC (“AB Acquisition”) will acquire all outstanding shares of Safeway (the “Merger”). The merger agreement was unanimously approved by the Board of Directors of Safeway.

AB Acquisition is the owner of Albertson’s LLC and New Albertson’s, Inc. (collectively “Albertsons”) and is controlled by a Cerberus Capital Management, L.P. (“Cerberus”)-led investor group, which also includes Kimco Realty Corporation (NYSE:KIM), Klaff Realty LP, Lubert-Adler Partners LP, and Schottenstein Stores Corporation.

As a result of the Merger, plus other actions to be taken by the Safeway Board of Directors as described below, including the separate sales of certain other primarily non-core assets, and the distribution of Blackhawk shares, Safeway shareholders are expected to receive total value estimated at $40 per share.

Albertsons’ Chief Executive Officer Bob Miller stated, “This transaction offers us the opportunity to better serve customers by adapting more quickly to evolving shopping preferences in diverse regions across the country. It also brings together two great organizations with talented management teams. Robert Edwards and his team have done an outstanding job in positioning Safeway’s core business for success, by investing in its stores and creating innovative strategic marketing programs that contribute to shareholder value. Working together will enable us to create cost savings that translate into price reductions for our customers. Together, we will be able to respond to local needs more quickly and deliver outstanding products at the lowest possible price, more efficiently than ever before.”

“This Merger is one of several actions we have taken in recent months as a result of our strategic business review. The combined value of the transactions described above is expected to deliver a premium to Safeway’s shareholders of 72% from one year ago, and 56% over the share price six months ago,” said Robert Edwards, President & Chief Executive Officer of Safeway Inc. “Safeway has been focused on better meeting shoppers’ diverse needs through local, relevant assortment, an improved price/value proposition and a great shopping experience that has driven improved sales trends. We are excited about continuing this momentum as a combined organization. We look forward to working with Bob Miller and the rest of the Albertsons team as we proceed together on a path towards becoming an even stronger organization.”

Value to Safeway Shareholders

Under the merger agreement, Safeway shareholders will receive $32.50 per share in cash. Additionally, shareholders will have the right to receive pro-rata distributions of net proceeds from primarily non-core assets with an estimated value of $3.65 per share. The proceeds are from:

(1) The sale of the assets of real-estate development subsidiary Property Development Centers, LLC (“PDC”) comprised of its shopping center portfolio including certain related Safeway stores, and

(2) The monetization of its 49% equity interest in Mexico-based food and general merchandise retailer Casa Ley, S.A. de C.V. (“Casa Ley”).

If the sales of PDC and/or Casa Ley are completed prior to the closing of the Merger, the net proceeds from these sales will be paid to shareholders at or before the closing of the Merger in a special dividend. If the PDC sale and/or Casa Ley sales are not completed by the closing of the Merger, Safeway shareholders will receive a non-transferable contingent value right (a “CVR”), which will provide shareholders with their pro-rata share of the net proceeds from the PDC and/or Casa Ley sales, as applicable, subject to the terms and conditions of the CVRs. The PDC CVR will have a two-year term. The Casa Ley CVR will have a four-year term. If Safeway is unable to sell Casa Ley before the four-year expiration of the CVR, shareholders would receive a cash distribution equal to the after-tax fair market value of Safeway’s interest in Casa Ley at such time. There can be no assurances that Safeway will be able to sell either or both of PDC or Casa Ley.

Distribution of Blackhawk Shares

The Merger does not alter Safeway’s previously announced plan to distribute the remaining 37.8 million shares of Blackhawk stock that it owns to its shareholders in mid-April and prior to the completion of the Acquisition. Safeway’s shares of Blackhawk are contemplated to be distributed pro-rata to the shareholders, with a current value of $3.95 per Safeway share based on the closing price of Blackhawk’s common stock of $25.06 per share on March 5, 2014 and a diluted share count at Safeway of approximately 235 million shares. The final ratio and the value of the Blackhawk shares will be determined at the time of the distribution and will depend on the market value of Blackhawk at that time and the number of diluted Safeway shares. The Blackhawk distribution is not dependent upon the completion of the Acquisition, and is being undertaken for independent business reasons. The Blackhawk distribution is intended to maximize the value of Safeway’s long-term investment in Blackhawk, which the Board determined to be in the best interests of Safeway, Blackhawk, and the shareholders of both companies.

In connection with the completion of the Merger, it is expected that Safeway’s distribution of Blackhawk shares will be taxable to Safeway and Safeway’s shareholders. AB Acquisition will assume the corporate tax on the distribution of Blackhawk shares to Safeway’s shareholders. It is also anticipated that there will be a step up in Blackhawk’s tax basis in assets which could generate approximately $30 million in cash tax savings per annum for Blackhawk. On a present value basis over 15 years, this tax savings, resulting from future tax deductions, is valued at approximately $4.50 per Blackhawk share and $0.70 per Safeway share.

Stock Price Premium

The combined value for Safeway shareholders who receive both a distribution of Blackhawk shares and the aggregate cash and contingent consideration in the Merger, based on Safeway’s current estimates of the value of the contingent consideration, would represent a premium of 72 percent over Safeway’s closing share price of $23.27 on March 6, 2013, one year ago; 56 percent over Safeway’s closing price of $25.62 on September 6, 2013, six months ago; and 17 percent over Safeway’s closing share price of $34.10 on February 18, 2014, the day before Safeway announced it was in discussions regarding a potential sale of the company.

About the Combined Company

The Merger will create a diversified network that includes over 2,400 stores, 27 distribution facilities and 20 manufacturing plants with over 250,000 dedicated and loyal employees. No store closures are expected as a result of this transaction. Bob Miller, Albertsons current Chief Executive Officer, will become Executive Chairman. Robert Edwards, Safeway’s current President and Chief Executive Officer, will become President and Chief Executive Officer of the combined company.

Banners will include Safeway, Vons, Pavilions, Randalls, Tom Thumb, Carrs, Albertsons, ACME, Jewel-Osco, Lucky, Shaw’s, Star Market, Super Saver, United Supermarkets, Market Street and Amigos.

The Merger will enable Albertsons and Safeway to implement operational best practices in order to offer customers an enhanced shopping experience and more competitive prices, while enabling the combined company to pursue industry-leading customer service in an increasingly competitive and dynamic marketplace. Realizing substantial cost savings will allow for investments that are expected to benefit customers, including price reductions as well as store remodels and refurbishments. The diversified network of retail assets, associated distribution centers and manufacturing assets will allow for a broader assortment of products, a more efficient distribution and supply chain, enhanced fresh and perishable offerings, and expanded private label alternatives for customers.

“Albertsons has successfully transformed underperforming retail grocery stores into strong performers by focusing on enhancing the local customer experience,” said Lenard Tessler, Co-Head of Global Private Equity and Senior Managing Director at Cerberus. “Similarly, Safeway has consistently provided outstanding value and customer service throughout the communities it serves. Combining these strong management teams will strengthen the ability of Safeway and Albertsons to deliver on a shared commitment to offering customers higher quality products at lower prices, which will undoubtedly yield positive results for all stakeholders in the business.”

Timing and Closing Conditions

The Merger is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2014 following the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including approval of the Merger by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Safeway common stock and regulatory approvals including expiration or termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976. Under certain circumstances, if the Merger fails to close, AB Acquisition would be required to pay Safeway $400 million.

Regular Quarterly Dividends

The merger agreement allows Safeway to pay its regular quarterly dividends over the next 12 months, prior to closing, and to increase the dividend within certain limits, assuming the deal is closed during that time period. If the deal is not closed within 12 months, Albertsons can extend the merger agreement by an additional three months under certain circumstances. During the extended time, Safeway would not be permitted to pay a dividend to its shareholders but shareholders would receive additional cash consideration equal to 6% per annum on the $32.50 per share cash price for the number of days that pass during the three month extension until closing.

Acquisition Funding

AB Acquisition plans to fund the Merger in part with debt financing of approximately $7.6 billion, equity contributions from its current investors and their affiliates, partners and co-investors of approximately $1.25 billion, and cash on hand of Safeway. Safeway’s existing indebtedness is contemplated to be repaid at closing, other than capital leases and the company’s 5.00% Senior Notes due 2019, 3.95% Notes due 2020, 4.75% Senior Notes due 2021, 7.45% Debentures due 2027 and 7.25% Debentures due 2031.

Go-Shop Period

The merger agreement includes a so-called “go-shop” period, during which Safeway, with the assistance of Goldman Sachs, its financial advisor, will actively solicit, receive, evaluate and potentially enter into negotiations with parties that offer alternative proposals. The initial go-shop period is 21 days. For a 15-day period following the termination of the go-shop period, Safeway will be permitted to continue discussions and enter into or recommend a transaction with any person that submitted a qualifying proposal during the 21-day period. A successful competing bidder who makes a superior proposal during the go-shop period would bear a $150 million termination fee. For a competing bidder who did not qualify during the go-shop period, the termination fee would be $250 million. There can be no assurance that this process will result in a superior proposal. Safeway does not intend to disclose developments with respect to the solicitation process unless and until its Board has made a decision with respect to any potential superior proposal.

Advisors

Goldman, Sachs & Co. served as financial advisor to Safeway in connection with the Company’s strategic review and the transactions. Greenhill & Co. has also served as financial advisor to Safeway. Latham & Watkins LLP served as Safeway’s outside legal counsel. Citigroup, lead financial advisor, Bank of America Merrill Lynch and Credit Suisse served as financial advisors to Albertsons, Cerberus and the investor group. Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP served as lead outside legal counsel to Albertsons, Cerberus and the investor group, and Dechert LLP, Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP and Baker Botts LLP served as outside legal counsel on antitrust matters.

Property Development Centers and Casa Ley

Formed in 2008, PDC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Safeway Inc., engaged in retail shopping center development and capitalizing on Safeway’s core real estate competency. PDC projects are concentrated in Safeway’s urban and suburban markets, and are predominantly located in California and Hawaii. PDC’s portfolio consists of 25 properties with an estimated three million square feet, and is comprised of 11 operating assets, nine projects under construction, and five projects in the due diligence and entitlement phases. Safeway will soon be initiating a process to sell PDC.

Safeway owns 49% of Casa Ley, the fifth largest food and general merchandise retailer in Mexico based on sales. Casa Ley is a private company, and does not publicly disclose financials. Safeway has begun discussions with the majority owners of Casa Ley regarding a potential sale of Safeway’s interests.

On a combined basis, the value of the CVRs is estimated in the range of $3.45 to $3.85 per share. The estimated values for PDC and Casa Ley are based on analyses that Safeway has performed with the help of financial advisors, valuations from independent third parties and market information. The actual net after-tax proceeds received upon a sale could vary substantially from these estimates.

About Safeway Inc.

Safeway Inc., which operates Safeway, Vons, Pavilion’s, Randall’s, Tom Thumb, and Carrs stores, is a Fortune 100 company and one of the largest food and drug retailers in the United States with sales of $36.1 billion in 2013. The company operates 1,335 stores in 20 states and the District of Columbia, 13 distribution centers and 20 manufacturing plants, and employs approximately 138,000 employees. The company’s common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol SWY. For more information, please visit www.Safeway.com.

About Albertsons

Established in 2006, AB Acquisition LLC (“Albertsons”), which operates ACME, Albertsons, Jewel-Osco, Lucky, Shaws, Star Market and Super Saver, and stores under the United Family of stores, Amigos, Market Street and United Supermarkets, is working to become the favorite food and drug retailer in every market it serves. The company is privately owned by Cerberus Capital Management, Kimco Realty Corporation, Klaff Realty, Lubert-Adler Partners, and Schottenstein Stores Corporation, and operates 1,075 stores and 14 distribution centers in 29 states and employs approximately 115,000 associates. For more information, please visit www.Albertsons.com.

About Cerberus Capital Management, L.P.

Established in 1992, Cerberus Capital Management, L.P. is one of the world’s leading private investment firms. Cerberus has more than US $25 billion under management invested in four primary strategies: distressed securities & assets; control and non-control private equity; commercial mid-market lending and real estate-related investments. From its headquarters in New York City and large network of affiliate and advisory offices in the US, Europe and Asia, Cerberus has the on-the-ground presence to invest in multiple sectors, through multiple investment strategies in countries around the world.

This Press Release is courtesy of www.albertsons.com

Today, eBay Inc. announced it has acquired PhiSix, a computer graphics company that creates 3D models of clothing from photos, pattern files and other sources and simulates the behavior of the garments. PhiSix’s technology has exciting possibilities – both online and offline – as it allows consumers to see how clothes fit, look and move in different environments without actually having to try them on. Financial terms were not disclosed.

“PhiSix’s technology enables consumers to understand the fit and movement of clothes in an online shopping environment,” said Steve Yankovich, vice president of Innovation and New Ventures of eBay Inc. “Consumers can experience the merchandise in a more efficient and impactful way, which we believe will drive sales for retailers and create a delightful experience for shoppers.”

PhiSix’s innovative technology can help solve one of the common problems online shoppers face – fit and look. With a virtual fitting room enabled by PhiSix technology, shoppers can determine fit with physically accurate simulations of the garments. The technology is able to recommend a size for the user’s body based on basic measurement inputs. All of this points to an immersive shopping experience that enables consumers to try on clothes virtually before buying online, which the company believes will reduce returns and enhance the overall shopping experience. PhiSix technology may be utilized for omni-channel commerce so users can shop anytime, anywhere, from any device.

The technology could also be integrated across the entire eBay Inc. portfolio to enable a more immersive and compelling user experience so consumers can make informed choices whether at home or in a store.

The in-store experience is equally compelling. These 3D models allow shoppers to use a virtual fitting room to view the clothes in various scenarios – such as walking down the street or hitting a golf club, rather than using a dressing room. eBay Inc. believes it can integrate the PhiSix technology to power various online and physical store shopping experiences

PhiSix was founded in 2012 by Jonathan Su, a former Intel research scientist who received his PhD in computer science from Stanford University. Su, founder and CEO, has a background in special effects, and has contributed towards the simulation technologies being used today by major Hollywood companies like ILM and DreamWorks to create scenes with life-like behavior and movement. Su and his team of three, including two world-class computer science engineers, will all be joining eBay Inc.’s Innovation and New Ventures team as part of the acquisition and continue working on ways to transform retail.

“This is an exciting opportunity for us to bring PhiSix’s expertise to one of the world’s leading commerce platforms,” said Su. “We believe today’s acquisition will help us better scale our expertise and meet the needs of digitally-minded shoppers and create new customer experiences for the eBay Inc. portfolio.”

This Press Release is courtesy of www.ebayinc.com