Sears Doubles Its Selection of Plasma, LCD Televisions

Sears, Roebuck and Co. announced today it is doubling the number of plasma and liquid crystal display (LCD) TV models it offers, as well as the number of brands it carries.

Sears now carries 22 plasma and LCD TV models, including eight plasma TV models from seven manufacturers: Hitachi, Panasonic, Philips, Pioneer, Samsung, Sony and Toshiba. Plasma TV screen sizes range from 32- to 50-inches. And beginning in August, Sears will also sell a TechView plasma TV at the opening price point of $2,999. Sears introduced its plasma and LCD TV products in September, 2002 and carried three brands of plasma TVs at that time.

When the expansion is completed in August, shoppers will be able to compare 14 different models of LCD TVs at Sears from seven brands: Philips, Samsung, Sharp, Sylvania, Sony, TechView and Toshiba. Sears will sell LCD screen sizes ranging from 13-inches to 30-inches, with prices beginning at $399. Plasma prices range from $2,999 to $9,999 and reflect a 50 percent decline since September 2002 when the lowest-priced plasma TV sold at Sears was $5,999.

"With prices of thin-screen plasma and LCD high-definition televisions decreasing rapidly, more consumers are able to experience these products," said Lyle Heidemann, executive vice president of home and off-mall stores for Sears.

"Plasma and LCD TVs have incredible 'stopping power' in our stores. Sears is uniquely positioned to take advantage of this trend and Sears is one of the only national retailers where consumers can compare a high-definition picture side-by-side with a traditional analog signal."

Plasma TV screens are about four-inches deep -- light and thin enough to hang on the wall. These products are the next level of home entertainment technology, combining high definition (HDTV) picture quality with ultra-thin design.

Sears will display its expanded selection of plasma and LCD TVs with home theater systems to give consumers the complete surround sound experience when shopping for and comparing products. Sears carries home theater system brands such as Bose, JVC, Nakamichi and Sony.

Sears first introduced its selection of plasma and LCD brands in September 2002 in more than 650 of its stores. In August 2003, all 870 Sears full-line stores will carry at least one plasma and LCD TV model, with the widest selection available at 650 of Sears' largest stores.

Research conducted by Sears indicates that 63 percent of Americans spend more time watching TV together than they do any other major family activity and 71 percent said they would rather stay home and watch TV with friends and family than go out for the evening.

"The electronics industry anticipates growth in the plasma and LCD market. Sales of plasma sets will rise by 40 percent in 2003, while sales of LCD televisions will jump from 965,000 units in 2002 to 1.1 million units in 2003," said Jeff Joseph, vice president of communications for the Consumer Electronics Association.

  About Sears Consumer Electronics
  Only Sears sells the top eight brands of big screen TVs and offers:
  *  Its notable customer service, including knowledgeable sales staff
  *  Competitive financing options through Sears cards that offer exclusive
     advantages
  *  Price match guarantees
  *  The largest technical service team in the country
  *  Three installation packages*
  *  The most comprehensive protection agreements in the industry

Sears also offers over 55 models of projection TVs (PTVs) that are high-definition-ready, with prices beginning at $1,399. This assortment of PTVs includes more than 10 models of new thin micro PTVs with screen sizes ranging from 42- to 60-inches. Manufactured by Hitachi, Panasonic, Philips, Samsung and Sony, micro PTVs create a picture using LCD, Digital Light Processing (DLP) and Liquid Crystal on Silicon (LCOS) projection technology. Micro PTVs are as thin as 16.3 inches, about one inch thinner than a 19-inch tube TV, and weigh only 70 pounds on average.

Sears carries a wide array of home theater equipment, including DVD players, VCRs, video game consoles and home-theater-in-a-box solutions. In addition, Sears provides a wide variety of electronics to use on-the-go and in the car, such as camcorders, cameras, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), MP3 players, car stereo equipment and satellite radio from XM Satellite and Sirius.

About Sears

Sears, Roebuck and Co. is a broadline retailer with significant service and credit businesses. In 2002, the company's revenues were more than $41 billion. The company offers its wide range of apparel, home and automotive products and services to families in the U.S. through Sears stores nationwide, including approximately 870 full-line stores. Sears also offers a variety of merchandise and services through its Web sites, sears.com and landsend.com, and a variety of specialty catalogs.

*Installation professionals will conduct a pre-installation phone survey to determine work to be performed and schedule your installation date. A site survey will be conducted and, if applicable, any additional charges will be quoted for approval prior to installation. All packages are for residential installations. Premium installation packages assume adequate access to wall, ceiling, or floor where wires are to be concealed. Additional charges will apply for carpentry, electrical work, floor covering modifications, furniture moving, additional wire, parts or accessories. For new purchases, delivery available for additional charge.

The following licenses are held by or on behalf of Sears, Roebuck and Co.: AK (Gen. Contr. - Exc. Res. #675); AR (HVAC #145708); AZ (ROC013509); CA (Gen. Bldg. Contr. #025455 HVAC Class C-20); CT (HVAC #308530); FL (HVAC #CAC057299); GA (Reg. CN-003489); HI (Classified Spec. #C-4285 C-68LA); KY (HVAC #M03912); LA (Mech./Spec. Contr. #5526); MD (MHIC #32117; James Myzick, HVAC #3942); NV (Plum. & Heating #0005543 C-1); Rockland County, NY Licensed Subcontractors; OR (Gen. Contr. #0001051); TX (HVAC Lic. Nos. TACLB016247E, 009563C, 019005E, 002235C, 001268C, 009589C, 013523C); VA (Class A Contr. #2705057009); WA (Gen. Contr. #SEARSR-372NT); WV (Gen. Bldg. Spec. #WV008529). Some services and installation performed by Sears associates. Other services and installation performed by Sears-Authorized licensed contractors; additional Sears license information available upon request. Service not available in all areas.

SOURCE: Sears, Roebuck and Co.

CONTACT: Media - Larry Costello of Sears, Roebuck and Co.,
+1-847-286-9036, lcoste5@sears.com, Mike Cummins, +1-312-251-1586,
mikec@domecom.com, for Sears, Roebuck and Co.

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