Sears Named 2001 Energy Star® Partner of the Year

The U.S. Department of Energy and the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have named Sears, Roebuck and Co. the 2001 Energy Star® Partner of the Year. This is the second straight year that Sears, the number one retailer of Energy Star® appliances in the United States, has won the award.

"The current focus on high energy costs has demonstrated the importance of nationwide energy efficiency," said Kathleen Hogan, director, climate protection partnership division of the EPA. "Companies such as Sears, Roebuck and Co., are making great strides in delivering Energy Star products that contribute significantly to an overall reduction in energy use. We are pleased to recognize their efforts at the 2001 Energy Star Awards."

Sears pledged to sell one million Energy Star appliances in 2000. The company easily beat that goal with the sale of 1.1 million energy-efficient products.

"Partnering with Energy Star is an essential activity to Sears. The fact that we have received this award two years running indicates that energy-efficiency is not only good for society, but it's also good business," said Tina Settecase, vice president of home appliances. "As the largest retailer of home appliances in the nation, we view this as a leading responsibility. It's not just about selling home appliances. It's about helping consumers learn about the benefits of energy efficiency."

Sears roll-out of 84 different models of energy-efficient refrigerators that meet or beat the new U.S. Department of Energy standards, which go into effect July 1, 2001 underscores the company's commitment to setting the pace in presenting energy-efficient choices to consumers.

"In addition," Settecase said, "Sears will continue to develop energy- efficient products that meet or exceed government requirements, while meeting our customers' requirements for style, performance and innovation."

The Partner of the Year Award recognizes the Energy Star partner that best demonstrates its commitment to educating consumers about the benefits of energy-efficient products. Sears was selected because of it demonstrable achievements in these four areas:

   -- Amount of inventory and shelf/floor space dedicated to Energy Star-
      labeled products.
   -- Level of total sales that were Energy Star compliant.
   -- Extent and quality of point-of-purchase materials.
   -- Extent and quality of employee education and training activities.

Only Sears sells more than 250 Energy Star appliance models from all the leading brands including: Amana, Bosch, Frigidaire, G.E., Jenn-Air, KitchenAid, Maytag, Whirlpool and the most popular brand in America -- Kenmore and Kenmore Elite.

The Sears-exclusive Kenmore brand continues to lead the industry in energy-efficient innovations. In 2000, Kenmore introduced a new Energy Star Kenmore Elite washer with Calypso Wash Motion. It uses 46 percent less water and 65 percent less energy than a conventional clothes washer. In the same year, Sears introduced three Energy Star-rated air conditioners, four new Energy Star dishwashers, Trane Energy Star central air conditioning units, and a line of premium Kenmore energy-efficient heating and cooling systems.

Also in 2000, Sears gave customers incentives to purchase Energy Star appliances and heating and cooling systems by providing special promotional offers such as zero percent financing, free delivery or rebates during various events throughout the year.

The Sears Energy Star program has been implemented in all 50 states in more than 860 full-line stores and 750 independently-owned dealer stores. Sears supports the Energy Star program by displaying and selling qualified products of appliances, electronics and office equipment in each of the Sears locations and online at http://www.sears.com/ .

Sears, Roebuck and Co. is a leading U.S. retailer of apparel, home and automotive products and services, with annual revenue of more than $40 billion. The company serves families throughout the country through approximately 860 full-line department stores, and more than 2,100 specialized retail locations, and a variety of online offerings accessible through the company's Web site, http://www.sears.com/ .

SOURCE: Sears, Roebuck & Co.

Contact: Marlene Tsareff of MRA, Inc., 317-769-7600, or
mtsareff@iquest.net , for Sears, Roebuck & Co., or Larry Costello, Sears PR,
847-286-9036, or lcoste5@sears.com

Website: http://www.sears.com/