Sears and Kmart Stores "Go Dark"...To Observe Earth Hour

WHAT:

Although our lights may be out for one momentous hour, we will still be open! Sears and Kmart stores nationwide will participate in this initiative by turning off or dimming all non-essential lighting on Saturday, March 26 from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m., including every other television and most computer monitors. During Earth Hour, we anticipate saving 80,000 kilowatt hours...that's enough energy to power almost eight American homes for a year!  

To go "beyond the hour," we have earned the ENERGY STAR® label for over 150 of our stores.  As of October 2010, nearly 80 percent of all Kenmore appliances were ENERGY STAR qualified, and our programs that educate our customers about energy-efficient products helped us win the ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year (Product Retailer) award for the second consecutive year. This is part of Sears Holdings (Nasdaq: SHLD) long-standing commitment and responsibility to minimize our impact on the environment every day, all year round.

WHEN:

Saturday, March 26th from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. (local time)

WHERE:

Sears and Kmart stores throughout the United States (To locate the nearest store, visit: http://www.sears.com/shc/s/StoreLocatorView?storeId=10153&catalogId=12605 or http://www.kmart.com/shc/s/StoreLocatorView?storeId=10151&catalogId=10104)

WHO:

Local store managers are available for in-store interviews

VISUALS:

Sears and Kmart store associates operating efficiently with computer monitors off and TVs silenced.

BACKGROUND:

Earth Hour is a world-wide call to action started by the World Wildlife Fund four years ago to help fight climate change. To get involved, a company or individual must commit to turning down or off (where possible) any non-essential lighting.

Last year, nearly 90 million Americans participated by turning off their lights as did many famous landmarks including Mount Rushmore, Niagara Falls, the Las Vegas Strip and all of the Broadway Theatre marquees in New York City.

Since 2006, Sears Holdings' energy team and associates have reduced their energy consumption by 20% and saved 1 billion kilowatt hours. This achievement was accomplished through unique lighting retrofits and by empowering their stores and associates with information on conserving energy.

For more information, visit www.Sears.com or www.EarthHour.org.