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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): March 24, 2005

Sears Holdings Corporation


(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
         
Delaware       20-1920798
 
(State or other jurisdiction of   (Commission   (IRS Employer
incorporation)   File Number)   Identification No.)
     
3333 Beverly Road, Hoffman Estates, Illinois   60179
 
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (847) 286-2500

Not Applicable


(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13.e-4(c)

 
 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

Item 2.01 Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets
Item 5.03 Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year
Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure
Item 9.01 Financial Statement and Exhibits
SIGNATURES
EXHIBIT INDEX
EX-3.1: RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
EX-3.2: RESTATED BYLAWS
EX-99.1: PRESS RELEASE
EX-99.2: PRESS RELEASE


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2

Item 2.01 Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets

     On March 24, 2005, pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”), dated as of November 16, 2004, by and among Sears Holdings Corporation (“Holdings”), Kmart Holding Corporation (“Kmart”), Sears, Roebuck and Co. (“Sears”), Kmart Acquisition Corp. (“Kmart Merger Sub”) and Sears Acquisition Corp. (“Sears Merger Sub”), Kmart Merger Sub (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Holdings) merged with and into Kmart (the “Kmart Merger”) and Sears Merger Sub (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Holdings) merged with and into Sears (the “Sears Merger” and, together with the Kmart Merger, the “Mergers”). As a result of the Mergers, each of Kmart and Sears is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of Holdings.

     Pursuant to the Kmart Merger, each share of common stock of Kmart (the “Kmart Common Stock”) was converted into one share of common stock of Holdings (the “Holdings Common Stock”). Pursuant to the Sears Merger, 45% of the outstanding common shares of Sears (the “Sears Common Stock”) were converted into $50.00 in cash per share of Sears Common Stock, and 55% of the shares of Sears Common Stock were converted into 0.50 of a share of Holdings Common Stock per share of Sears Common Stock.

     The issuance of the Holdings Common Stock pursuant to the Mergers was registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, pursuant to Holdings’ registration statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-120954) (the “Registration Statement”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and declared effective on February 18, 2005 and the Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File
No. 333-123544) filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 462(b) and declared effective on March 24, 2005.

     The definitive joint proxy statement-prospectus of Kmart and Sears, dated February 18, 2005 that forms a part of the Registration Statement (the “Joint Proxy Statement-Prospectus”) contains additional information about the Mergers, including information concerning the interests of directors, executive officers and affiliates of Kmart and Sears in the Mergers.

     Pursuant to Rule 12g-3(c) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), the Holdings Common Stock is deemed to be registered under Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act. The Holdings Common Stock has been approved for quotation on the Nasdaq National Market, and will trade under the symbol “SHLD”. The description of the Holdings Common Stock contained under the caption “Description of Holdings Capital Stock” in the Joint Proxy Statement-Prospectus is incorporated herein by reference.

     The Kmart Common Stock was registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act and quoted on the Nasdaq National Market, and the Sears Common Stock was registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act and listed on the New York Stock Exchange, Chicago Stock Exchange and Pacific Exchange. Kmart is delisting the Kmart Common Stock from the Nasdaq National Market and Sears is delisting the Sears Common Stock from the New York Stock Exchange, Chicago Stock Exchange and Pacific Exchange and each of Sears and Kmart have filed a Form 15 with the SEC to terminate the registration under the Exchange Act of the Kmart Common Stock and the Sears Common Stock, respectively.

     On March 24, 2005, Holdings issued a press release announcing the completion of the Mergers. The press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 5.03 Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year

     In connection with the Mergers, Holdings’ Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws were restated in their entirety to read as the forms of restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws included in the Joint Proxy Statement-Prospectus as Annexes F and G, respectively, except that Holdings’ fiscal year has been changed to end on the Saturday closest to January 31 of each year as previously disclosed. The description of the restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws contained under the caption “Comparison of Stockholders Rights” in the Joint Proxy Statement-Prospectus is incorporated herein by reference. The restated certificate of

 


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incorporation and the restated bylaws of Holdings are attached hereto as Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2, respectively, and are incorporated herein by reference.

     The restated certificate of incorporation and the restated bylaws of Holdings are substantially identical to the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of Kmart in effect prior to the Mergers; however, certain bankruptcy-related provisions that existed in Kmart’s certificate of incorporation have been excluded from the restated certificate of incorporation of Holdings as more fully described in the Joint Proxy Statement-Prospectus under the caption “Exclusion of Bankruptcy-Related Charter Provisions”.

Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure

     On March 24, 2005, Kmart and Sears issued a press release announcing that their stockholders had adopted the Merger Agreement. The press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.2 and is incorporated herein by reference. In addition, at the Kmart special meeting held on March 24, 2005, Kmart stockholders approved the exclusion of certain bankruptcy-related charter provisions from the restated certificate of incorporation of Holdings (as described in Item 5.03 above) and certain grants of options and restricted shares to Aylwin Lewis, President and Chief Executive Officer of Kmart.

Item 9.01 Financial Statement and Exhibits

      (a) Financial Statements of Business Acquired.

     To be filed by amendment not later than 71 calendar days after the date this Current Report is required to be filed.

      (b) Pro Forma Financial Information.

     To be filed by amendment not later than 71 calendar days after the date this Current Report is required to be filed.

      (c) Exhibits

     
Exhibit No.   Description
 
   
Exhibit 2.1
  Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of November 16, 2004, by and among Sears Holdings Corporation, Kmart Holding Corporation, Sears, Roebuck and Co., Kmart Acquisition Corp. and Sears Acquisition Corp. (Incorporated by reference from Annex A of the Joint Proxy Statement-Prospectus included in Sears Holdings Corporation’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-120954)).
 
   
Exhibit 3.1
  Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Sears Holdings Corporation.
 
   
Exhibit 3.2
  Restated Bylaws of Sears Holdings Corporation.
 
   
Exhibit 99.1
  Press Release dated March 24, 2005.
 
   
Exhibit 99.2
  Press Release dated March 24, 2005.

 


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SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
         
  SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION
 
 
Dated: March 24, 2005    
  By:   /s/ William C. Crowley    
  Name:   William C. Crowley   
  Title:   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer   

 


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EXHIBIT INDEX

     
Exhibit No.   Description
 
   
Exhibit 2.1
  Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of November 16, 2004, by and among Sears Holdings Corporation, Kmart Holding Corporation, Sears, Roebuck and Co., Kmart Acquisition Corp. and Sears Acquisition Corp. (Incorporated by reference from Annex A of the Joint Proxy Statement-Prospectus included in Sears Holdings Corporation’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-120954)).
 
   
Exhibit 3.1
  Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Sears Holdings Corporation.
 
   
Exhibit 3.2
  Restated Bylaws of Sears Holdings Corporation.
 
   
Exhibit 99.1
  Press Release dated March 24, 2005.
 
   
Exhibit 99.2
  Press Release dated March 24, 2005.

 

 

Exhibit 3.1

RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION

          Sears Holdings Corporation, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware, does hereby certify:

          1. That the name of the corporation and the name under which it was originally incorporated is “Sears Holdings Corporation”;

          2. That the corporation’s original Certificate of Incorporation was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on November 23, 2004;

          3. That, pursuant to Sections 242 and 228 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, the amendment herein set forth has been duly adopted by the Board of Directors and the sole stockholder of Sears Holdings Corporation;

          4. That this Restated Certificate of Incorporation has been duly adopted in accordance with Section 245 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware; and

          5. That the text of the Certificate of Incorporation is hereby restated and amended to read in its entirety as follows:

ARTICLE I

          The name of the corporation is Sears Holdings Corporation (the “ Corporation ”).

ARTICLE II

          The address of the registered office of the Corporation in the State of Delaware is 1209 Orange Street, in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle. The name of the registered agent at that address is The Corporation Trust Company.

ARTICLE III

          The purpose of the Corporation shall be to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized and incorporated under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “ GCL” ).

ARTICLE IV

          The total authorized capital stock is 500,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $.01 per share (hereinafter called the “ Common Stock ”), and 20,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, par value $.01 per share, issuable in series (hereinafter called the “ Preferred Stock ”).

 


 

          A statement of all or any of the designations and the powers, privileges and rights and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of the Common Stock and the Preferred Stock of the Corporation is as follows:

     A.  Common Stock .

          1. Dividends . The holders of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive when and as declared by the Board of Directors, out of the assets of the Corporation which by law are available therefor, dividends payable either in cash, in property or in Common Stock. No dividends (other than dividends payable in Common Stock) shall be paid on Common Stock if cash dividends in full on all outstanding Preferred Stock to which the holders thereof are entitled shall not have been paid or declared and set apart for payment or any sinking fund for the Preferred Stock is in arrears.

          2. Voting Rights . At every meeting of stockholders, the holders of Common Stock shall have the right with the holders of Preferred Stock (to the extent such holders of Preferred Stock are entitled to vote) to vote in the election of directors and upon each other matter coming before any meeting of the stockholders on the basis of one vote for each share of Common Stock held. Subject to the provisions of paragraphs 2 and 3 of Section B below and except as otherwise provided by law, the holders of Common Stock and the holders of Preferred Stock (to the extent such holders of Preferred Stock are entitled to vote) shall vote together as one class.

          3. Liquidation Rights . In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, the holders of Common Stock shall be entitled, after payment or provisions for payment of the debts and other liabilities of the Corporation and the amounts to which the holders of the Preferred Stock shall be entitled, to share ratably in the remaining net assets of the Corporation.

          4. Preemptive Rights . The holders of shares of Common Stock shall have no preemptive right to subscribe for any additional shares of capital stock or other obligations convertible into shares of capital stock which may hereafter be issued by the Corporation.

     B.  Preferred Stock .

          1. Authorization . The Corporation shall not issue Preferred Stock unless such issuance is approved by the affirmative vote of 66-2/3% of the directors then in office.

          2. Issuance of Preferred Stock in Series . The Board of Directors shall have authority to divide and issue shares of Preferred Stock into series and, within the limitations set forth in the Corporation’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation, to fix and determine the relative rights and preferences of the shares of any series so established. Each series of Preferred Stock shall be designated by the Board of Directors as to distinguish the shares thereof from the shares of all other series of Preferred Stock and other classes of stock of the Corporation. Before any shares of any such series are issued,

 


 

the Board of Directors shall fix, and hereby is expressly empowered to fix, by resolution or resolutions, the following provisions of the shares thereof: (a) the rate of dividend, the extent of further participation in dividend distributions, if any, and the preferences or relation which such dividends shall bear to the dividends payable on any shares of stock of any other class or any other series of this class; (b) the price and the terms and conditions on which the shares are redeemable; (c) the amount payable upon shares in event of voluntary or involuntary liquidation; (d) sinking fund provisions for the redemption or purchase of shares; (e) the terms and conditions on which shares are convertible; (f) except as provided in paragraph 3 below, the circumstances under which shares are entitled to vote; and (g) any other powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights, and any qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof.

          The powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights of each series of Preferred Stock, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, if any, may differ from those of any and all other series at any time outstanding. All shares of any one series of Preferred Stock shall be identical in all respects with all other shares of such series, except that shares of any one series issued at different times may differ as to the dates from which dividends thereon shall accrue and/or be cumulative.

          3. Dividends . The holders of Preferred Stock of each series shall be entitled to receive out of any funds legally available therefor, when and as declared by the Board of Directors, dividends in such amount as may be fixed by the Board of Directors in accordance with the resolution adopted providing for the issue of such series before any dividend (other than dividends payable in Common Stock) shall be paid on the Common Stock or other stock ranking junior to the applicable series of Preferred Stock. Such dividends shall be cumulative from the date or dates fixed in the resolution adopted by the Board of Directors providing for the issue of such series. Whenever dividends on a series of Preferred Stock shall be in arrears in an aggregate amount equivalent to six quarterly dividends on all shares of such series of Preferred Stock at the time outstanding, then and in such event the shares of all series of Preferred Stock in such arrears then outstanding, voting separately as a class, shall be entitled at each meeting of stockholders thereafter held for the election of directors to elect two of the total number of directors to be elected at such meeting.

          Such right shall continue until such time as all accumulated dividends on all such series of Preferred Stock at the time outstanding have been paid or declared and set aside for payment. While holders of Preferred Stock voting as a class are entitled to elect two directors, they shall not be entitled to participate with the holders of Common Stock in the election of any other directors, if applicable. In the event any vacancy shall occur in the case of a director elected by holders of such series of Preferred Stock voting as a class (unless at the time such vacancy occurs all accumulated dividends on the Preferred Stock shall have been paid or declared and set aside for payment), a special meeting of the holders of shares of all applicable series of Preferred Stock shall be called promptly to fill any such vacancy. Such meeting shall be held within 40 days after such call at a place and upon notice as provided for the holding of meetings of stockholders,

 


 

except that no such special meeting shall be required to be called if any such vacancy shall occur less than 90 days before the date fixed for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The directors elected by the class vote of holders of such series of Preferred Stock shall serve until the next Annual Meeting of Stockholders or until their successors shall be elected and shall qualify; provided , however , that whenever during the term of office of the directors so elected, all accumulated dividends shall have been paid or declared and set aside for payment, the term of office of such directors shall forthwith terminate.

          4. Preemptive Rights . The holders of shares of Preferred Stock shall have no preemptive right to subscribe for any additional shares of capital stock or other obligations convertible into shares of capital stock which may hereafter be issued by the Corporation.

ARTICLE V

          The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of a Board of Directors consisting of not less than three or more than fifteen directors, the exact number of directors to be determined from time to time by a resolution adopted by an affirmative vote of a majority of the entire Board of Directors.

          A director shall hold office until the next Annual Meeting of Stockholders after which he or she was elected and until his or her successor shall be elected and shall qualify, subject, however to prior death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal from office. Unless and except to the extent that the By-Laws of the Corporation shall so require, the election of directors of the Corporation need not be by written ballot.

          Any vacancy on the Board of Directors that occurs through death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal or other cause, or resulting from an increase in the number of directors, may be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors, though less than a quorum, for a term of office continuing only until the next election of directors by the stockholders.

          Notwithstanding the foregoing, whenever the holders of any one or more classes of Preferred Stock or series thereof issued by the Corporation shall have the right, voting separately by class or series, to elect directors at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, the election, term of office, filling of vacancies and other features of such directorship shall be governed by the terms of this Restated Certificate of Incorporation applicable thereto.

ARTICLE VI

          In furtherance of, and not in limitation of, the powers conferred by law, the Board of Directors is expressly authorized and empowered to adopt, amend or repeal the By-Laws of the Corporation; provided , however , that the By-Laws adopted by the Board of Directors under the powers hereby conferred may be amended or repealed by the Board of Directors or by the stockholders having voting power with respect thereto.

 


 

ARTICLE VII

          A. Right to Indemnification .

          Each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (hereinafter, a “ proceeding ”), by reason of the fact that he or she is serving or had served as a director or officer of the Corporation or, while serving as such director or officer, is serving or had served at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of, or in any other capacity with respect to, another corporation or a partnership, joint venture, trust or other entity or enterprise, including service with respect to employee benefit plans (hereinafter, an “ indemnitee ”), whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director, officer, employee or agent or in any other capacity while serving as a director or officer of the Corporation, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Corporation to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law, as the same exists or may hereafter be changed or amended (but, in the case of any such change or amendment, only to the extent that such change or amendment permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights than permitted prior thereto), against all expense, liability and loss (including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties and amounts to be paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by an indemnitee in connection therewith and such indemnification shall continue as to an indemnitee who has ceased to be a director or officer of the Corporation and shall inure to the benefit of the indemnitee’s heirs, executors and administrators; provided, however, that except as provided in paragraph B hereof with respect to proceedings seeking to enforce rights to indemnification, the Corporation shall indemnify an indemnitee in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by the indemnitee only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board of Directors of the Corporation. The right to indemnification conferred in this Article VII shall be a contract right and shall include the right to be paid by the Corporation the expenses incurred in defending any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition (hereinafter, an “ advancement of expenses ”); provided , however , that, if the GCL requires, an advancement of expenses incurred by an indemnitee in his or her capacity as a director or officer (and not in any other capacity in which service was or is rendered by such indemnitee, including, without limitation, service to an employee benefit plan) shall be made only upon delivery to the Corporation of an undertaking (hereinafter, an “ undertaking ”), by or on behalf of such indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined by final judicial decision from which there is no further right to appeal (hereinafter, a “ final adjudication ”) that such indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified for such expenses under this Article VII or otherwise.

          B. Right of Indemnitee to Bring Suit .

          If a claim under paragraph A of this Article VII is not paid in full by the Corporation within sixty days after a written claim has been received by the Corporation, except in the case of a claim for advancement of expenses, in which case the applicable period shall be twenty days, the indemnitee may at any time thereafter bring suit against

 


 

the Corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim. If successful in whole or in part in any such suit, or in a suit brought by the Corporation to recover payments by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to terms of an undertaking, the indemnitee shall be entitled to be paid also the expense of prosecuting or defending such suit. In (i) any suit brought by the indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification hereunder (other than a suit brought by the indemnitee to enforce a right to an advancement of expenses) it shall be a defense that, and (ii) any suit by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking the Corporation shall be entitled to recover such expenses upon a final adjudication that, the indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the GCL. Neither the failure of the Corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such suit that indemnification of the indemnitee is proper in the circumstances because the indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the GCL, nor an actual determination by the Corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) that the indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall create a presumption that the indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct or, in the case of such a suit brought by the indemnitee, be a defense to the action. In any suit brought by the indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification or to an advancement of expenses hereunder, or by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the burden of proving that the indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified, or to such advancement of expenses, under this Article VII or otherwise shall be on the Corporation.

          C. Indemnification of Employees and Agents of the Corporation .

          The Corporation may, to the extent authorized from time to time by its Board of Directors, grant rights to indemnification, and to be paid by the Corporation the expenses incurred in defending any proceeding in advance of its final disposition, to any employee or agent of the Corporation to the fullest extent of the provisions of this Article VII with respect to the indemnification and advancement of expenses of directors and officers of the Corporation.

          D. Non-Exclusivity of Rights .

          The right to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses conferred in this Article VII shall not be exclusive of any other right which any person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, this Restated Certificate of Incorporation, By-Law, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise.

          E. Insurance .

          The Corporation may maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect itself and any director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any expense, liability or loss, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against

 


 

such expense, liability or loss under the GCL.

          F. Elimination of Certain Liability of Directors .

          A director of the Corporation shall not be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except to the extent such exemption from liability or limitation thereof is not permitted under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware as the same exists on the date hereof or may hereafter be amended.

          Any repeal or modification of the foregoing paragraph shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director of the Corporation existing hereunder with respect to any act or omission occurring prior to such repeal or modification.

ARTICLE VIII

          Except as may be expressly provided in this Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the Corporation reserves the right at any time and from time to time to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision contained in this Restated Certificate of Incorporation and any other provisions authorized by the laws of the State of Delaware at the time in force may be added or inserted, in the manner now or hereafter prescribed herein or by applicable law, and all rights, preferences and privileges of whatsoever nature conferred upon stockholders, directors or any other persons whomsoever by and pursuant to this Restated Certificate of Incorporation in its present form or as hereafter amended are granted subject to the right reserved in this Article VIII; provided , however , that any amendment or repeal of Article VII of this Restated Certificate of Incorporation shall not adversely affect any right or protection existing hereunder in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to such amendment or repeal.

ARTICLE IX

          Section 203 of the GCL shall not be applicable to the Corporation.

 

 

Exhibit 3.2

RESTATED BY-LAWS
OF
SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION
A DELAWARE CORPORATION

ARTICLE I
STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETINGS

     SECTION 1. PLACE OF MEETINGS. The annual meeting of stockholders for the election of directors and all special meetings for that or for any other purpose shall be held at such time and place, either within or without the State of Delaware as may from time to time be designated by the Board of Directors.

     SECTION 2. ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of stockholders for the election of directors and for the transaction of any other business authorized or required to be transacted by the stockholders, shall be held on the fourth Tuesday in May in each year after 2005 at nine o’clock A.M., or at such other time as the Board of Directors may designate. Any annual meeting not held at the time prescribed therefor may be held at any time thereafter to which said meeting may be adjourned or for which it may be called.

     SECTION 3. SPECIAL STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETINGS. Special meetings of stockholders other than those regulated by statute may be called only by the Board of Directors, either by a Directors’ resolution or a written instrument signed by a majority of the Directors.

     SECTION 4. NOTICE OF MEETINGS. Written notice of the time, place and purposes of a meeting of stockholders shall be given not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting, either personally or by mail, to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be given when deposited in the United States mail, addressed to the stockholder at his or her address as it appears on the stock transfer books of the Corporation, with postage prepaid.

     SECTION 5. QUORUM. At all meetings of stockholders, except where it is otherwise provided by law, the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote, being present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum for all purposes.

     SECTION 6. INSPECTORS OF ELECTION. Prior to the annual meeting of stockholders, the Board of Directors and in the absence of the Board of Directors, the Chairman or Vice Chairman of the Board or the Chief Executive Officer (if one is designated) or the President shall appoint one or more Inspectors of Election to act as inspectors at such meeting and at any meeting of stockholders which may be held during the ensuing year. It shall be the duty of Inspectors of Election to receive and classify all proxies as received, and check same with the record of stockholders entitled to vote at such meetings, to tabulate votes, and to report to the chairman of the meeting the total number of shares represented at the meeting in person or by proxy, and the result of the voting.

 


 

2

     SECTION 7. VOTING. At all meetings of stockholders, every stockholder of record as of the applicable record date shall be entitled to vote, either in person or by proxy appointed by instrument in writing or by electronic means (telephone or internet), signed, or identified by the stockholder’s identification number or other unique identifier, as applicable, by such stockholder or such stockholder’s authorized agent. Each outstanding share of capital stock is entitled to one vote on each matter submitted to a vote, except as otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation. A vote may be cast either orally or in writing, at the discretion of the chairman of the meeting.

     SECTION 8. ADJOURNMENTS. Any annual or special meeting of stockholders, whether or not a quorum is present, may be adjourned from time to time by a majority vote of the shares present in person or by proxy. Unless the Board of Directors fixes a new record date for the adjourned meeting, it is not necessary to give notice of the adjourned meeting if the time and place to which the meeting is adjourned are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken and at the adjourned meeting only such business is transacted as might have been transacted at the original meeting.

     SECTION 9. CONDUCT OF BUSINESS. Only such business shall be conducted at a meeting of stockholders as is specified in the notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) or as may be properly brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or by a stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting. In addition to any other applicable requirements and limitations (including requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and rules and regulations thereunder with respect to inclusion of proposals in the Corporation’s proxy solicitation materials), for business to be properly brought before a meeting by a stockholder (other than the nomination of candidates for election as directors as provided in Article II, Section 2), notice thereof in writing must be delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation not later than (a) with respect to an annual meeting of stockholders, ninety (90) days in advance of such meeting, provided, however, if the annual meeting is not held on or within eight (8) days of the date set forth in Article I, Section 2 and if less than one hundred (100) days notice or public disclosure of the date of the meeting is given to the stockholders, such notice by a stockholder must be not later than the tenth day following the date on which notice or public disclosure of the date of the meeting was first given the stockholders and (b) with respect to a special meeting of stockholders, such notice by a stockholder must be not later than the tenth day following the date on which notice or public disclosure of the date of the meeting was first given to the stockholders. A stockholder’s notice to the Secretary shall set forth as to any matter the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting (a) the name and address of the stockholder, (b) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting, and (c) any material interest of the stockholder in such business. The chairman of the meeting may rule out of order any business not properly brought before the meeting in compliance with the foregoing procedures.

ARTICLE II
DIRECTORS

     SECTION 1. NUMBER AND TERM OF OFFICE. The number of directors constituting the entire Board of Directors of the Corporation shall be not less than three (3) nor more than

 


 

3

fifteen (15) and shall be determined in the manner set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation. At each annual meeting of stockholders, directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast, to hold office until the next annual meeting and until their successors are elected and qualified, except as provided in the Certificate of Incorporation.

     SECTION 2. NOMINATIONS OF DIRECTOR CANDIDATES. Nominations of candidates for election as directors may be made by the Board of Directors or by any stockholder entitled to vote for the election of directors. Nominations by a stockholder must be made by notice in writing delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation not later than (a) with respect to an election to be held at an annual meeting of stockholders, ninety (90) days in advance of such meeting, provided, however, if the annual meeting is not held on or within eight (8) days of the date set forth in Article I, Section 2 and if less than one hundred (100) days notice or public disclosure of the date of the meeting is given to the stockholders, such notice by a stockholder must be not later than the tenth day following the date on which notice or public disclosure of the date of the meeting was first given the stockholders, and (b) with respect to an election to be held at a special meeting of stockholders, such notice by a stockholder must be not later than the tenth day following the date on which notice or public disclosure of the date of the meeting was first given the stockholders. A stockholder’s notice to the Secretary shall set forth: (a) the name and address of the stockholder, (b) the name, age and business address of each nominee proposed in such notice, (c) such other information concerning each nominee as must be disclosed of nominees in proxy solicitations pursuant to proxy rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, and (d) the written consent of each nominee to serve as a director if so elected. The chairman of the meeting may refuse to acknowledge the nomination of any person not made in compliance with the foregoing procedures. Stockholder’s compliance with the foregoing procedures shall not require the Corporation to include a proposed nominee in the Corporation’s proxy solicitation materials.

     SECTION 3. REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS. Subject to the rights of holders of any series of preferred stock then outstanding, any director may be removed, with or without cause, from office at any time by stockholders in accordance with Delaware law.

     SECTION 4. VACANCIES. Except as provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, any vacancy in the Board of Directors through death, resignation, disqualification or other cause, or because of an increase in the number of directors, may be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors though less than a quorum, for a term of office continuing only until the next election of directors by the stockholders.

     SECTION 5. REGULAR MEETINGS. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held, either within or without the State of Delaware, at such time and at such place as may from time to time be determined by the Board of Directors, and no notice shall be required to be given of any regular meeting.

     SECTION 6. SPECIAL MEETINGS. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be held, either within or without the State of Delaware, by resolution of the Board of Directors or whenever called by the Chairman or Vice Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer (if one is designated) or the President, or a Vice President or the Secretary of the Corporation, provided that notice thereof is given personally to the last known address of each director either by

 


 

4

mail, not less than forty-eight (48) hours before such meeting, or by telephone or telegram, not less than twenty-four (24) hours before such meeting, or on such shorter notice as the person or persons calling such meeting may deem necessary or appropriate in the circumstances. Any director may waive notice of any special meeting.

     SECTION 7. QUORUM AND VOTING. A majority of the members of the Board then in office shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, except where otherwise provided by law or the Certificate of Incorporation or the By-Laws; but a majority of members present at any regular or special meeting, although less than a quorum, may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice. The vote of the majority of members present at a meeting at which a quorum is present constitutes the action of the Board, unless the vote of a larger number is required by law or the Certificate of Incorporation or the By-Laws.

     SECTION 8. ACTION OF DIRECTORS WITHOUT A MEETING. Except as otherwise provided by law, action required or permitted to be taken pursuant to authorization voted at a meeting of the Board or a committee thereof may be taken without a meeting if, before or after the action, all members of the Board or of the committee consent thereto in writing. The written consents shall be filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the Board or committee. The consent has the same effect as a vote of the Board or committee for all purposes.

     SECTION 9. CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD. The Board of Directors may elect a Chairman of the Board from among the members of the Board. If the Board of Directors has elected a Chairman of the Board, the Chairman shall preside at all meetings of stockholders and of the Board of Directors and shall perform such duties as may be designated by the Board of Directors.

     SECTION 10. VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD. The Board of Directors may elect a Vice Chairman of the Board from among the members of the Board. If the Board of Directors has elected a Vice Chairman of the Board, the Vice Chairman shall perform such duties as may be designated by the Chairman of the Board, subject to the direction of the Board of Directors.

     SECTION 11. OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN. The Office of the Chairman shall initially be composed of the Chairman of the Board, the Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and the President and shall thereafter be composed of the Chairman of the Board and such other directors or officers of the Corporation selected by the Board of Directors. The purpose and responsibilities of the Committee shall to provide advice and counsel to the Chairman of the Board from time to time on matters affecting the Corporation and shall have such other purposes and responsibilities determined by the Board of Directors. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Office of the Chairman shall possess such powers and authority as may be necessary to carry out the foregoing purposes, and shall further possess all other power and authority as may be from time to time delegated to it by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE III
OFFICERS

 


 

5

     SECTION 1. SENIOR OFFICERS. The senior officers of the Corporation shall be a President, one or more Vice Presidents, a Secretary, a Treasurer and, if so designated, a Chief Executive Officer. The Board of Directors and the Chairman of the Board shall each have power to add designations to the aforesaid offices and to create such other offices as each may from time to time deem expedient, and the Board of Directors shall, at some convenient time after each annual meeting, elect senior officers of the Corporation for the ensuing year.

     SECTION 2. CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER. The Chief Executive Officer shall perform such duties as may be designated by the Board of Directors, and shall have authority to execute on behalf of the Corporation any and all contracts, agreements, bonds, deeds, mortgages, leases or other obligations of the Corporation. In the absence or incapacity of the Chief Executive Officer, the Board of Directors shall determine which other officer shall perform the duties of that office.

     SECTION 3. THE PRESIDENT. The President shall perform such duties as may be designated by the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer (if one is designated), and shall have authority to execute on behalf of the Corporation any and all contracts, agreements, bonds, deeds, mortgages, leases or other obligations of the Corporation. In the absence or incapacity of the President, the Board of Directors shall determine which other officer shall perform the duties of that office.

     SECTION 4. THE VICE PRESIDENTS. The Vice Presidents shall perform such duties as may be designated by the Chairman of the Board, the President or the Chief Executive Officer (if one is designated), subject to the direction of the Board of Directors. Any Vice President shall have authority to execute on behalf of the Corporation any and all contracts, agreements, bonds, deeds, mortgages, leases or other obligations of the Corporation.

     SECTION 5. THE TREASURER. The Treasurer shall have the custody of and be responsible for all funds and securities of the Corporation, subject to the control of the Board of Directors. The Treasurer shall keep bank accounts in the name of the Corporation and shall exhibit the books and accounts to any director upon application at the principal office of the Corporation during ordinary business hours. The Treasurer shall perform all duties incident to the position of Treasurer, subject to the control of the Board of Directors, and shall have authority to sign and endorse all notes, checks, drafts and other obligations of the Corporation.

     SECTION 6. THE SECRETARY. The Secretary shall keep a record in proper books provided for that purpose of all the meetings and proceedings of the Board of Directors and the minutes of the stockholders’ meetings, and shall keep such other records and shall perform such other duties as the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board, the President or the Chief Executive Officer (if one is designated) shall designate. The Secretary shall notify the directors and stockholders of their respective meetings, shall attend to the giving and serving of all notices of the Corporation, and shall in general do and perform all the duties pertaining to the office, subject to the control of the Board of Directors.

     The Secretary shall keep a stock certificate book and transfer book at the office of the Corporation, or at such other place or places as may be chosen by the Board of Directors. The Secretary shall keep careful data from which a list of stockholders can be compiled, and shall

 


 

6

furnish such list upon order of the Board of Directors. The Secretary shall have the custody of the seal of the Corporation, and shall attach the same to instruments required to be executed under the seal of the Corporation.

     SECTION 7. DIVISIONAL AND OPERATIONS VICE PRESIDENTS AND JUNIOR OFFICERS. The Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board, the President or the Chief Executive Officer (if one is designated) may each elect such Divisional Vice Presidents and Operations Vice Presidents and such other junior officers as each may from time to time deem expedient. The Divisional Vice Presidents, Operations Vice Presidents and junior officers shall have such powers and authority and shall perform such duties as may be assigned to them by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board, the President, the Chief Executive Officer (if one is designated) or the senior officer to whom they report. Any such junior officers shall not be considered corporate officers.

     SECTION 8. REMOVAL. Any officer elected or appointed by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board, the President or the Chief Executive Officer (if one is designated) may be removed at any time by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board, the President or the Chief Executive Officer (if one is designated).

     SECTION 9. VACANCIES. Vacancies among seniors officers of the Corporation during the year may be filled for the unexpired portion of the term by the Board of Directors. In addition, vacancies among Vice Presidents during the year (other than those executives designated as “officers” for the purposes of Section 16 Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, by the Board of Directors) may be filled for the unexpired portion of the term by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer (if one is designated) or the President.

ARTICLE IV
COMMITTEES

     SECTION 1. The Board of Directors may by resolution designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of one or more of the directors of the Corporation, with responsibilities and duties of which may be prescribed by the Board of Directors, subject to such limitations as provided by law. The Board of Directors may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of any such committee. In the absence or disqualification of a member of a committee, and in the absence of a designation by the Board of Directors of an alternate member to replace the absent or disqualified member, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not such member or members constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of any absent or disqualified member. Any committee, to the extent permitted by law and provided in the resolution establishing such committee, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, and may authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers which may require it. Each committee shall keep regular minutes and report to the Board of Directors when required.

 


 

7

ARTICLE V
CAPITAL STOCK

     SECTION 1. CERTIFICATES. Certificates of shares of the capital stock of the Corporation shall be in such form as shall be approved by the Board of Directors, signed by the Chairman or Vice Chairman of the Board, the President or a Vice President and also by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary or by the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer. The seal of the Corporation may be engraved on the certificates instead of being manually affixed, and the signatures of officers may be facsimile signatures if the certificate is countersigned by a transfer agent or registered by a registrar other than the Corporation itself or its employee. All certificates of stock shall be consecutively numbered, and the name(s) and address(es) of the person(s) to whom issued, the number of shares and date of issue, shall be entered on the stock transfer books of the Corporation. All certificates of stock surrendered to the Corporation for transfer shall be cancelled and, except in the case of lost or destroyed certificates as hereinafter provided, no new certificate shall be issued until the former certificate or certificates for the shares represented thereby shall have been surrendered and cancelled.

     SECTION 2. LOST CERTIFICATES. When a certificate of stock previously issued is alleged to have been lost or destroyed, a new certificate may be issued therefor upon such terms and indemnity to the Corporation as the Board of Directors may prescribe.

     SECTION 3. TRANSFER OF SHARES. Transfer of shares of stock of the Corporation shall be made only on the stock transfer books of the Corporation, and the Corporation may decline to recognize the holder of any certificate of stock of the Corporation as a stockholder until the shares represented by such certificate are transferred into his or her name on the stock transfer books of the Corporation. The Corporation shall be entitled to treat the holder of record of any shares of stock as the absolute owner thereof, and shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such shares on the part of any other person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by law. The Board of Directors may appoint one or more stock transfer agents and registrars (which functions may be combined), and may require all stock certificates to bear the signature of such transfer agent and such registrar.

     SECTION 4. FIXING OF RECORD DATE. For the purpose of determining stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at a meeting of stockholders or an adjournment thereof, or for the purpose of determining stockholders entitled to receive payment of a dividend or allotment of a right, or for the purpose of any other action, the Board of Directors may fix in advance a date as the record date for any such determination of stockholders. The date shall not be more than sixty (60) nor less than ten (10) days before the date of the meeting, nor more than sixty (60) days before any other action.

ARTICLE VI
MISCELLANEOUS

     SECTION 1. SEAL. The seal of the Corporation shall be circular in form, with the words “Sears Holdings Corporation, Delaware” on the circumference, and shall be kept in the charge and custody of the Secretary, to be affixed to all instruments requiring a seal.

 


 

8

     SECTION 2. FISCAL YEAR. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall begin on the day after the Saturday closest to January 31 in 2005 and in each year thereafter, and shall end on the Saturday closest to January 31 in 2006 and in each year thereafter.

ARTICLE VII
AMENDMENTS

     SECTION 1. BY DIRECTORS. These By-Laws may be amended, altered or repealed and new By-Laws may be adopted at any meeting of the Board of Directors by a majority vote of the members of the Board then in office.

     SECTION 2. BY STOCKHOLDERS. These By-Laws may also be amended, altered or repealed and new By-Laws may be adopted at any meeting of stockholders, if such purpose is contained in the notice of meeting (pursuant to Article I, Section 3), by a majority of the votes cast by the holders of shares entitled to vote thereon, given in person or by proxy, at an annual or special meeting of the stockholders called and held for such purpose. These By-Laws may also be amended, altered or repealed and new By-Laws may be adopted by an action taken in writing by the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted, in accordance with Section 228 of the Delaware General Corporation Law.

 

 

Exhibit 99.1

     
Contacts:
   
For Kmart Holding Corporation
  For Sears, Roebuck and Co.
Media Relations
  Chris Brathwaite
(248) 463-1021
  (847) 286-4681
 
   
Brunswick Group
   
(212) 333-3810
   

KMART AND SEARS COMPLETE MERGER TO FORM
SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION
New Stock – Ticker Symbol: SHLD – To Begin Trading on NASDAQ March 28

Troy, MI, and Hoffman Estates, IL, March 24, 2005 – Kmart Holding Corporation (NASDAQ: KMRT) and Sears, Roebuck and Co. (NYSE: S) announced today that they have completed the transaction announced on November 17, 2004 combining Sears and Kmart into a major new retail company named Sears Holdings Corporation. Sears Holdings is the nation’s third largest retailer, with approximately $55 billion in annual revenues and a national footprint of nearly 3,500 retail stores in the United States, including 2,350 full-line and off-mall stores, and 1,100 specialty retail stores.

     Starting March 28, 2005, Sears Holdings stock will be listed for trading on the Nasdaq National Market under the ticker symbol “SHLD.”

     Kmart and Sears shareholders each approved the combination at their special shareholder meetings held earlier today.

     Edward S. Lampert, chairman of Sears Holdings, said, “This new enterprise will seek to leverage the combined strengths of Sears and Kmart to create greater long-term value than either could have generated on a stand-alone basis. Sears Holdings plans to offer customers a new, more compelling shopping experience with a differentiated and expanded product range. We believe Sears Holdings has the potential to be a great company with a truly great retail business.”

     Alan J. Lacy, vice chairman and chief executive officer of Sears Holdings said, “This combination accelerates Sears’ off-mall strategy and gives customers a complete, convenient shopping solution. Shoppers will have greater access to the leading proprietary brands of both Kmart and Sears, along with financial services products and

 


 

the industry’s leading service organization. With a national store base of nearly 3,500 stores, we expect to be able to leverage our scale and strategically grow the business.”

     Aylwin B. Lewis, president of Sears Holdings and chief executive officer of Kmart and Sears Retail, said, “With the close of the merger, we will focus on successfully executing the integration plan for Sears Holdings and building the foundation for a strong future. As we go forward, we will continue to count on the dedication and hard work of Sears and Kmart associates. The hallmarks of our new enterprise will continue to be performance and dedication to quality products and customer service, and we aim to instill these traits throughout our corporate culture.”

     Under the terms of the transaction, Kmart shareholders received one share of new Sears Holdings common stock for each Kmart share. Sears, Roebuck shareholders had the right to elect either $50.00 in cash or 0.5 of a share of Sears Holdings for each Sears, Roebuck share. Shareholder elections will be prorated to ensure that in the aggregate 55 percent of Sears, Roebuck shares are converted into Sears Holdings shares and 45 percent of Sears, Roebuck shares are converted into cash. Sears Holdings expects to announce preliminary proration calculations prior to the opening of the market on Monday, March 28, 2005.

     Sears Holdings, headquartered in Hoffman Estates, Ill., is the holding company for the Sears, Roebuck and Kmart businesses, which will continue to operate separately under their respective brand names. Kmart will continue to have a presence in Michigan.

     Sears Holdings is drawing on an accomplished group of leaders from both companies: Mr. Lampert serves as chairman of Sears Holdings; Mr. Lacy, vice chairman and chief executive officer of Sears Holdings; Mr. Lewis, president of Sears Holdings and chief executive officer of Kmart and Sears Retail; and William C. Crowley, executive vice president and chief financial officer of Sears Holdings.

     Messrs. Lampert, Lacy, Lewis and Crowley are joined on a 10-member Sears Holdings board of directors by Ann N. Reese, Founder and Executive Director of the Center for Adoption Policy Studies and former Chief Financial Officer of ITT Corp.; Steven T. Mnuchin, Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Dune Capital Management LP; Julian C. Day, former President and Chief Executive Officer of Kmart; Michael A. Miles, former Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Philip Morris Companies Inc.; Donald J. Carty, former Chairman of the Board and Chief

 


 

Executive Officer of AMR Corporation and American Airlines, Inc.; and Thomas J. Tisch, Managing Partner of Four Partners, a private investment firm.

About Sears Holdings Corporation

     Sears Holdings Corporation is the nation’s third largest broadline retailer, with approximately $55 billion in annual revenues, and with approximately 3,800 full-line and specialty retail stores in the United States and Canada. Sears Holdings is the leading home appliance retailer as well as a leader in tools, lawn and garden, home electronics and automotive repair and maintenance. Key proprietary brands include Kenmore, Craftsman and DieHard, and a broad apparel offering, including such well-known labels as Lands’ End, Jaclyn Smith and Joe Boxer, as well as the Apostrophe and Covington brands. It also has Martha Stewart Everyday products, which are offered exclusively in the U.S. by Kmart and in Canada by Sears Canada. For more information, visit Sears Holdings’ website at www.searshc.com.

# # #

This document contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the benefits of the business combination transaction involving Sears Holdings Corporation, Kmart Holding Corporation and Sears, Roebuck and Co., including future financial and operating results, the combined company’s plans, objectives, expectations and intentions and other statements that are not historical facts. Such statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of Kmart’s and Sears, Roebuck’s management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.

The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements: the failure of Kmart and Sears, Roebuck stockholders to approve the transaction; the risk that the businesses will not be integrated successfully; failure to quickly realize synergies and cost-savings from the transaction as a result of technical, logistical, competitive and other factors; disruption from the transaction making it more difficult to maintain relationships with clients, employees or suppliers; competitive conditions in retail and related services industries; changes in consumer confidence, tastes, preferences and spending; the availability and level of consumer debt; anticipated cash flow and the ability of Sears Holdings to maintain sufficient operating cash flow and liquidity; the successful execution of, and customer

 


 

response to, strategic initiatives, including the full-line store strategy and the conversion and integration of the Kmart stores and other new store locations; the pace of growth in store locations, which may be higher or lower than anticipated; the possibility that new business and strategic options for one or more business segments will be identified, potentially including selective acquisitions, dispositions, restructurings, joint ventures and partnerships; trade restrictions, tariffs, and other factors potentially affecting the ability to find qualified vendors and access products in an efficient manner; the ability to successfully implement initiatives to improve inventory management capabilities; anticipated cash flow; changes in interest rates; the outcome of pending legal proceedings and bankruptcy claims; social and political conditions such as war, political unrest and terrorism or natural disasters; the possibility of negative investment returns in any pension plans; volatility in financial markets; changes in debt ratings, credit spreads and cost of funds; the possibility of interruptions in systematically accessing the public debt markets; the impact of seasonal buying patterns, which are difficult to forecast with certainty; and general economic conditions and normal business uncertainty. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the time first made, and no undertaking has been made to update or revise them as more information becomes available. Additional factors that could cause Kmart’s and Sears, Roebuck’s results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in the 2004 Annual Reports on Forms 10-K of Kmart and Sears, Roebuck filed with the SEC and available at the SEC’s Internet site (http://www.sec.gov).

# # #

 

 

Exhibit 99.2

     
Contacts:
   
For Kmart Holding Corporation
  For Sears, Roebuck and Co.
Media Relations
  Chris Brathwaite
(248) 463-1021
  (847) 286-4681
 
   
Brunswick Group
   
(212) 333-3810
   

SEARS AND KMART SHAREHOLDERS APPROVE MERGER

Hoffman Estates, IL, March 24, 2005 — In separate special meetings today, the respective shareholders of Sears, Roebuck and Co. (NYSE: S) and Kmart Holding Corporation (NASDAQ: KMRT) approved the merger of the two companies. More than 170 million of Sears’ outstanding shares were voted, with approximately 149 million shares or approximately 88 percent of the votes cast and 69 percent of total shares outstanding total shares voted in favor of the merger proposal. More than 61 million of Kmart’s outstanding shares were voted, with 99.9 percent voting in favor. The closing of the merger is expected to occur later today.

     Kmart Chairman Edward S. Lampert said, “The combination of Kmart and Sears will create a leading retailer and we expect will provide heightened value for our customers, associates and shareholders. Sears Holdings will have an enviable stable of proprietary brands, strong points of distribution and enhanced growth opportunities.”

     Alan J. Lacy, chairman and chief executive officer of Sears, commented, “I am very pleased that our shareholders recognize and support the strategic and economic benefits of the merger. Sears Holdings will better meet the needs of more families with outstanding products and services available in nearly 3,500 convenient locations.”

     Together, Sears and Kmart will form a major new retail company named Sears Holdings Corporation. Sears Holdings stock is expected to start trading on the Nasdaq National Market under the stock symbol “SHLD” on March 28, 2005.

About Sears Holdings Corporation

     Upon the closing of the merger, Sears Holdings Corporation is expected to be the nation’s third largest broadline retailer, with approximately $55 billion in annual revenues, and with approximately 3,800 full-line and specialty retail stores in the United States and Canada. Sears Holdings is expected to be the leading home appliance retailer as well as a leader in tools, lawn and garden, home electronics and automotive repair and maintenance. Key proprietary brands are expected to include Kenmore, Craftsman and DieHard, and a broad

 


 

apparel offering, including such well-known labels as Lands’ End, Jaclyn Smith and Joe Boxer, as well as the Apostrophe and Covington brands. It is also expected to have Martha Stewart Everyday products, which are offered exclusively in the U.S. by Kmart and in Canada by Sears Canada.

About Sears, Roebuck and Co.

     Sears, Roebuck and Co. (“Sears”) is a leading broadline retailer providing merchandise and related services. With revenues in 2004 of $36.1 billion, Sears offers its wide range of home merchandise, apparel and automotive products and services through more than 2,400 Sears-branded and affiliated stores in the U.S. and Canada, which includes approximately 870 full-line and 1,100 specialty stores in the U.S. Sears also offers a variety of merchandise and services through sears.com, landsend.com, and specialty catalogs. Sears is the only retailer where consumers can find each of the Kenmore, Craftsman, DieHard and Lands’ End brands together — among the most trusted and preferred brands in the U.S. The company is the largest provider of product repair services with more than 14 million service calls made annually. For more information, visit Sears’ website at www.sears.com.

About Kmart Holding Corporation

     Kmart Holding Corporation and its subsidiaries (together, “Kmart”) is a mass merchandising company that offers customers quality products through a portfolio of exclusive brands that include Thalia Sodi, Jaclyn Smith, Joe Boxer, Martha Stewart Everyday and Route 66. For more information visit the Company’s website at www.kmart.com.

# # #

Note to editors: Sears will distribute a wire photo from today’s media briefing via PR Newswire by 2:00 p.m. Central, and broadcast footage via satellite ( Primary Routing: SBS6 K05 / Downlink: 11823.00 MHz Horizontal ) from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Central. For more information please contact Sears’ media relations at 847.286.8371.

# # #

This document contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the benefits of the business combination transaction involving Sears Holdings Corporation, Kmart Holding Corporation and Sears, Roebuck and Co., including future financial and operating results, the combined company’s plans, objectives, expectations and intentions and other statements that are not historical facts. Such statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of Kmart’s and Sears, Roebuck’s management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.

 


 

The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements: the failure of Kmart and Sears, Roebuck stockholders to approve the transaction; the risk that the businesses will not be integrated successfully; failure to quickly realize synergies and cost-savings from the transaction as a result of technical, logistical, competitive and other factors; disruption from the transaction making it more difficult to maintain relationships with clients, employees or suppliers; competitive conditions in retail and related services industries; changes in consumer confidence, tastes, preferences and spending; the availability and level of consumer debt; anticipated cash flow and the ability of Sears Holdings to maintain sufficient operating cash flow and liquidity; the successful execution of, and customer response to, strategic initiatives, including the full-line store strategy and the conversion and integration of the Kmart stores and other new store locations; the pace of growth in store locations, which may be higher or lower than anticipated; the possibility that new business and strategic options for one or more business segments will be identified, potentially including selective acquisitions, dispositions, restructurings, joint ventures and partnerships; trade restrictions, tariffs, and other factors potentially affecting the ability to find qualified vendors and access products in an efficient manner; the ability to successfully implement initiatives to improve inventory management capabilities; anticipated cash flow; changes in interest rates; the outcome of pending legal proceedings and bankruptcy claims; social and political conditions such as war, political unrest and terrorism or natural disasters; the possibility of negative investment returns in any pension plans; volatility in financial markets; changes in debt ratings, credit spreads and cost of funds; the possibility of interruptions in systematically accessing the public debt markets; the impact of seasonal buying patterns, which are difficult to forecast with certainty; and general economic conditions and normal business uncertainty. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the time first made, and no undertaking has been made to update or revise them as more information becomes available. Additional factors that could cause Kmart’s and Sears, Roebuck’s results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in the 2004 Annual Reports on Forms 10-K of Kmart and Sears, Roebuck filed with the SEC and available at the SEC’s Internet site (http://www.sec.gov).

Stockholders are urged to read the definitive joint proxy statement-prospectus that forms a part of Sears Holdings Corporation’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (Registration No. 333-120954), because it contains important information. Stockholders are also able to obtain a free copy of the definitive joint proxy statement-prospectus, as well as other filings containing information about Sears Holdings, Kmart and Sears, Roebuck, without charge, at the SEC’s Internet site (http://www.sec.gov). Copies of the definitive joint proxy statement-prospectus and the filings with the SEC that are incorporated by reference in the definitive joint proxy statement-prospectus can also be obtained, without charge, by directing a request to Kmart Holding Corporation, 3100 West Big Beaver Road, Troy, Michigan, 48084, Attention: Office of the Secretary, or to Sears, Roebuck and Co., 3333 Beverly Road, Hoffman Estates, Illinois, 60179, Attention: Office of the Secretary.

The respective directors and executive officers of Sears Holdings, Kmart and Sears, Roebuck and other persons may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in respect of the proposed transaction. Information regarding Sears Holdings’, Kmart’s and Sears, Roebuck’s directors and executive officers and other participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, is also available in the definitive joint proxy statement-prospectus.

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