Table of Contents

 

 

U NITED S TATES

S ECURITIES A ND E XCHANGE C OMMISSION

W ASHINGTON , D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

 

x Q UARTERLY R EPORT P URSUANT T O S ECTION  13 O R 15(d) O F T HE S ECURITIES E XCHANGE A CT O F 1934 F OR T HE Q UARTERLY P ERIOD E NDED J ULY 30, 2011

O R

 

¨ T RANSITION R EPORT P URSUANT T O S ECTION  13 O R 15(d) O F T HE S ECURITIES E XCHANGE A CT O F 1934

Commission file number 000-51217

SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

D ELAWARE   20-1920798
(State of Incorporation)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
3333 B EVERLY R OAD , H OFFMAN E STATES , I LLINOIS   60179
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (847) 286-2500

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes     x              No     ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

Yes     x             No     ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer     x   Accelerated filer     ¨   Non-accelerated filer     ¨   Smaller reporting company     ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes     ¨             No     x

As of August 12, 2011, the registrant had 106,901,958 common shares, $0.01 par value, outstanding.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION

INDEX TO QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q

13 and 26 Weeks Ended July 30, 2011 and July 31, 2010

 

       Page  

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

  

Item 1.

  

Financial Statements

  
  

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) for the 13 and 26 Weeks Ended July 30, 2011 and July 31, 2010

     1   
  

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) as of July 30, 2011, July 31, 2010 and January 29, 2011

     2   
  

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) for the 26 Weeks Ended July 30, 2011 and July 31, 2010

     3   
  

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity (Unaudited) for the 26 Weeks Ended July 30, 2011 and July 31, 2010

     4   
  

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

     5   

Item 2.

  

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

     28   

Item 3.

  

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

     47   

Item 4.

  

Controls and Procedures

     48   
PART II – OTHER INFORMATION   

Item 1.

  

Legal Proceedings

     49   

Item 2.

  

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

     49   

Item 5.

  

Other Information

     50   

Item 6.

  

Exhibits

     51   


Table of Contents

SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Unaudited)

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

 

     13 Weeks Ended     26 Weeks Ended  
millions, except per share data    July 30,
2011
    July 31,
2010
    July 30,
2011
    July 31,
2010
 

REVENUES

        

Merchandise sales and services

   $ 10,333      $ 10,458      $ 20,038      $ 20,504   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

COSTS AND EXPENSES

        

Cost of sales, buying and occupancy

     7,668        7,635        14,772        14,851   

Selling and administrative

     2,644        2,606        5,203        5,161   

Depreciation and amortization

     227        221        445        442   

Gain on sales of assets

     (29     (9     (31     (53
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total costs and expenses

     10,510        10,453        20,389        20,401   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

     (177     5        (351     103   

Interest expense

     (77     (69     (157     (136

Interest and investment income

     12        6        25        21   

Other income (loss)

     4        5        (8     (9
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss before income taxes

     (238     (53     (491     (21

Income tax benefit

     94        19        173        4   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss

     (144     (34     (318     (17

(Income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests

     (2     (5     2        (6
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO HOLDINGS’ SHAREHOLDERS

   $ (146   $ (39   $ (316   $ (23
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

LOSS PER COMMON SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO HOLDINGS’ SHAREHOLDERS

        

Basic and diluted loss per share

   $ (1.37   $ (0.35   $ (2.95   $ (0.20

Basic and diluted weighted average common shares outstanding

     106.8        112.6        107.3        113.6   

See accompanying notes.

 

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Table of Contents

SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

     (Unaudited)         
millions    July 30,
2011
     July 31,
2010
     January 29,
2011
 

ASSETS

        

Current assets

        

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 658       $ 1,193       $ 1,375   

Restricted cash

     21         6         15   

Accounts receivable

     782         754         683   

Merchandise inventories

     9,426         9,430         9,123   

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     318         350         312   

Deferred income taxes

     99         28         27   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current assets

     11,304         11,761         11,535   

Property and equipment, net

     7,159         7,485         7,365   

Goodwill

     1,392         1,392         1,392   

Trade names and other intangible assets

     3,106         3,173         3,139   

Other assets

     839         1,022         837   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

   $ 23,800       $ 24,833       $ 24,268   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

        

Current liabilities

        

Short-term borrowings

   $ 927       $ 1,218       $ 360   

Current portion of long-term debt and capitalized lease obligations

     299         590         509   

Merchandise payables

     3,324         3,673         3,101   

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

     2,914         3,049         3,115   

Unearned revenues

     963         997         976   

Other taxes

     502         551         557   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     8,929         10,078         8,618   

Long-term debt and capitalized lease obligations

     2,413         1,378         2,663   

Pension and post-retirement benefits

     2,044         2,172         2,151   

Other long-term liabilities

     2,264         2,586         2,222   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

     15,650         16,214         15,654   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

EQUITY

        

Total Equity

     8,150         8,619         8,614   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

   $ 23,800       $ 24,833       $ 24,268   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

See accompanying notes.

 

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SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

 

     26 Weeks Ended  
millions    July 30,
2011
    July 31,
2010
 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

    

Net loss

   $ (318   $ (17

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:

    

Depreciation and amortization

     445        442   

Gain on sales of assets

     (31     (53

Pension and post-retirement plan contributions

     (143     (122

Settlement of Canadian dollar hedges

     (23     25   

Change in operating assets and liabilities (net of acquisitions and dispositions):

    

Merchandise inventories

     (262     (695

Merchandise payables

     201        321   

Deferred income taxes

     (59     45   

Income and other taxes

     (280     (119

Mark-to-market adjustments and settlements on Sears Canada U.S. dollar option contracts

     1        5   

Other operating assets

     88        23   

Other operating liabilities

     (86     (45
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in operating activities

     (467     (190
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

    

Proceeds from sales of property and investments

     42        16   

(Increase) decrease in investments and restricted cash

     (5     9   

Purchases of property and equipment

     (199     (168
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (162     (143
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

    

Proceeds from debt issuances

     39        —     

Repayments of long-term debt

     (497     (228

Increase in short-term borrowings, primarily 90 days or less

     567        893   

Debt issuance costs

     (35     —     

Purchase of Sears Canada shares

     (22     (560

Sears Canada dividend paid to minority shareholders

     —          (34

Purchase of treasury stock

     (154     (273
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in financing activities

     (102     (202
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

     14        39   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

     (717     (496
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF YEAR

     1,375        1,689   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD

   $ 658      $ 1,193   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW DATA:

    

Income taxes paid, net of refunds

   $ 85      $ 126   

Cash interest paid

     124        91   

See accompanying notes.

 

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Table of Contents

SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity

(Unaudited)

 

    Equity Attributable to Holdings’ Shareholders     Noncontrolling
Interests
    Total  
millions   Number
of
Shares
    Common
Stock
    Treasury
Stock
    Capital in
Excess of
Par Value
    Retained
Earnings
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
     

Balance at January 30, 2010

    115      $ 1      $ (5,446   $ 10,465      $ 4,797      $ (721   $ 339      $ 9,435   

Comprehensive income

               

Net income (loss)

    —          —          —          —          (23     —          6        (17

Pension and postretirement adjustments, net of tax

    —          —          —          —          —          25        —          25   

Deferred loss on derivatives, net of tax

    —          —          —          —          —          (12     —          (12

Cumulative translation adjustment, net of tax

    —          —          —          —          —          41        13        54   
               

 

 

 

Total Comprehensive Income

                  50   

Stock awards

    —          —          3        (3     —          —          —          —     

Additional purchase of noncontrolling interest in Sears Canada

    —          —          —          (269     —          (76     (215     (560

Sears Canada dividend paid to noncontrolling shareholders

    —          —          —          —          —          —          (34     (34

Shares repurchased

    (4     —          (273     —          —          —          —          (273

Other

    —          —          2        —          —          —          (1     1   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at July 31, 2010

    111      $ 1      $ (5,714   $ 10,193      $ 4,774      $ (743   $ 108      $ 8,619   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at January 29, 2011

    109      $ 1      $ (5,826   $ 10,185      $ 4,930      $ (779   $ 103      $ 8,614   

Comprehensive loss

               

Net loss

    —          —          —          —          (316     —          (2     (318

Pension and postretirement adjustments, net of tax

    —          —          —          —          —          60        3        63   

Deferred loss on derivatives, net of tax

    —          —          —          —          —          (6     —          (6

Cumulative translation adjustment, net of tax

    —          —          —          —          —          (19     (4     (23
               

 

 

 

Total Comprehensive Loss

                  (284

Stock awards

    —          —          4        (2     —          —          —          2   

Additional purchase of noncontrolling interest in Sears Canada

    —          —          —          (18     —          (1     (10     (29

Shares repurchased

    (2     —          (154     —          —          —          —          (154

Associate stock purchase

    —          —          2        —          —          —          —          2   

Other

    —          —          —          —          —          —          (1     (1
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at July 30, 2011

    107      $ 1      $ (5,974   $ 10,165      $ 4,614      $ (745   $ 89      $ 8,150   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes.

 

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Table of Contents

SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

NOTE 1 – BASIS OF PRESENTATION

Sears Holdings Corporation (“Holdings,” “we,” “us,” “our” or the “Company”) is the parent company of Kmart Holding Corporation (“Kmart”) and Sears, Roebuck and Co. (“Sears”). Holdings was formed as a Delaware corporation in 2004 in connection with the merger of Kmart and Sears (the “Merger”), which was completed on March 24, 2005. We are a broadline retailer with 2,188 full-line and 1,370 specialty retail stores in the United States, operating through Kmart and Sears, and 495 full-line and specialty retail stores in Canada operating through Sears Canada Inc. (“Sears Canada”), a 94%-owned subsidiary.

These interim unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required in annual consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (which include normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full fiscal year. The retail business is seasonal in nature, and we generate a high proportion of our revenues and operating cash flows during the fourth quarter of our fiscal year, which includes the holiday season. These interim financial statements and related notes should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 29, 2011.

NOTE 2 – BORROWINGS

Total borrowings were as follows:

 

millions    July 30,
2011
     July 31,
2010
     January 29,
2011
 

Short-term borrowings:

        

Unsecured commercial paper

   $ 388       $ 396       $ 360   

Secured borrowings

     539         822         —     

Long-term debt, including current portion:

        

Notes and debentures outstanding

     2,151         1,352         2,575   

Capitalized lease obligations

     561         616         597   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total borrowings

   $ 3,639       $ 3,186       $ 3,532   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The fair value of long-term debt was $2.0 billion at July 30, 2011, $1.4 billion at July 31, 2010 and $2.5 billion at January 29, 2011. The fair value of our debt was estimated based on quoted market prices for the same or similar issues or on current rates offered to us for debt of the same remaining maturities.

Unsecured Commercial Paper

We borrow through the commercial paper markets. At July 30, 2011, we had outstanding commercial paper borrowings of $388 million, of which $240 million were held by ESL Investments, Inc. (together with its affiliated funds, “ESL”), including $120 million held by ESL for the benefit of Edward S. Lampert. See Note 14 for further discussion of these borrowings.

Domestic Credit Agreement

During the first quarter of 2011, we increased the borrowing capacity and extended the maturity date of our domestic credit agreement (the “Original Domestic Credit Agreement”) by entering into an amended credit

 

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Table of Contents

SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

agreement (the “Amended Domestic Credit Agreement”). The Amended Domestic Credit Agreement increased the borrowing capacity of the facility to $3.275 billion from $2.4 billion and extended its expiration date to April 2016 from June 2012.

The Amended Domestic Credit Agreement also revised certain terms of the credit facility. Advances continue to bear interest at a rate equal to, at the election of the Borrowers, either the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) or a base rate, in either case plus an applicable margin. The amended facility’s interest rates for LIBOR-based borrowings vary based on leverage in the range of LIBOR plus 2.0% to 2.5%, compared to LIBOR plus 4.0% with a 1.75% LIBOR floor under the Original Domestic Credit Agreement. Interest rates for base rate-based borrowings vary based on leverage in the range of the applicable base rate plus 1.0% to 1.5%, compared to the applicable base rate plus 3.0% under the Original Domestic Credit Agreement. Commitment fees have also been reduced to a range of 0.375% to 0.625% based on usage from the previous range of 0.75% to 1.00%.

The Amended Domestic Credit Agreement continues to include a $1.5 billion letter of credit sub-limit and an accordion feature that gives us the flexibility, subject to certain terms and conditions, to use the existing collateral under the credit facility to obtain an aggregate amount of up to $1.0 billion in additional borrowing capacity if we so choose. The Amended Domestic Credit Agreement is in place as a funding source for general corporate purposes and is an asset based revolving credit facility under which Sears Roebuck Acceptance Corp. (“SRAC”) and Kmart Corporation are the borrowers. The Amended Domestic Credit Agreement is secured by a first lien on most of our domestic inventory and credit card and pharmacy receivables, and determines availability pursuant to a borrowing base formula.

The Amended Domestic Credit Agreement limits our ability to make restricted payments, including dividends and share repurchases, if availability under the credit facility, as defined, is less than 15%. It also imposes various other requirements, which take effect if availability falls below designated thresholds, including a cash dominion requirement and a requirement that the fixed charge ratio at the last day of any quarter be not less than 1.0 to 1.0.

At July 30, 2011, we had $539 million of borrowings and $550 million of letters of credit outstanding under the Amended Domestic Credit Agreement. As a result, our availability under the agreement was $2.2 billion at July 30, 2011. The majority of the letters of credit outstanding are used to provide collateral for our insurance programs.

Senior Secured Notes

In October 2010, we sold $1 billion aggregate principal amount of senior secured notes (the “Notes”), which bear interest at 6 5/8% per annum and mature on October 15, 2018. Concurrent with the closing of the sale of the Notes, the Company sold $250 million aggregate principal amount of Notes to the Company’s domestic pension plan in a private placement. The Notes are guaranteed by certain subsidiaries of the Company and are secured by a security interest in certain assets consisting primarily of domestic inventory and credit card receivables (the “Collateral”). The lien that secures the Notes is junior in priority to the lien on such assets that secures obligations under the Amended Domestic Credit Agreement, as well as certain other first priority lien obligations. The Company used the net proceeds of this offering to repay borrowings outstanding under the Original Domestic Credit Agreement on the settlement date and to fund the working capital requirements of our retail businesses, capital expenditures and for general corporate purposes. The indenture under which the Notes were issued contains restrictive covenants that, among other things, (1) limit the ability of the Company and certain of its domestic subsidiaries to create liens and enter into sale and leaseback transactions and (2) limit the ability of the Company to consolidate with or merge into, or sell other than for cash or lease all or substantially all of its assets to, another person. The indenture also provides for certain events of default, which, if any were to

 

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SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

occur, would permit or require the principal and accrued and unpaid interest on all the then outstanding notes to be due and payable immediately. Generally, the Company is required to offer to repurchase all outstanding Notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount if the borrowing base (as calculated pursuant to the indenture) falls below the principal value of the notes plus any other indebtedness for borrowed money that is secured by liens on the Collateral for two consecutive quarters or upon the occurrence of certain change of control triggering events. The Company may call the Notes at a premium based on the “Treasury Rate” as defined in the indenture, plus 50 basis points. We have commenced an offer to exchange the Notes held by nonaffiliates for a new issue of substantially identical notes registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Sears Canada Credit Agreement

In September 2010, Sears Canada entered into a five-year, $800 million Canadian senior secured revolving credit facility (the “Sears Canada Facility”). The Sears Canada Facility is available for Sears Canada’s general corporate purposes and is secured by a first lien on substantially all of Sears Canada’s non-real estate assets. Availability under the Sears Canada Facility is determined pursuant to a borrowing base formula based on inventory and account and credit card receivables, subject to certain limitations. At July 30, 2011, we had no borrowings outstanding under the Sears Canada Facility. Availability under this agreement was approximately $693 million ($662 million Canadian) at July 30, 2011.

Letters of Credit Facility

On January 20, 2011, we and certain of our subsidiaries entered into a letter of credit facility (the “LC Facility”) with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (“Wells Fargo”), pursuant to which Wells Fargo may, on a discretionary basis and with no commitment, agree to issue standby letters of credit upon our request in an aggregate amount not to exceed $500 million for general corporate purposes. Any letters of credit issued under the LC Facility are secured by a first priority lien on cash placed on deposit at Wells Fargo pursuant to a pledge and security agreement in an amount equal to 103% of the face value of all issued and outstanding letters of credit. The LC Facility has a term ending on January 20, 2014, unless terminated sooner pursuant to its terms. Wells Fargo may, in its sole discretion, terminate the LC Facility at any time. On July 30, 2011, we had no letters of credit outstanding under the facility. We may replace any letters of credit issued under our LC Facility with letters of credit issued under the Amended Domestic Credit Agreement and as such, any cash collateral is considered unrestricted cash.

NOTE 3 – DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

We use derivatives primarily as a risk management tool to decrease our exposure to fluctuations in the foreign currency market. We are exposed to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates as a result of our net investment in Sears Canada. Further, Sears Canada is exposed to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates due to inventory purchase contracts denominated in U.S. dollars.

Earnings Effects of Derivatives on the Statements of Operations

For derivatives that were designated as hedges of our net investment in Sears Canada, we assess effectiveness based on changes in forward currency exchange rates. Changes in spot rates on the derivatives are recorded in the currency translation adjustments line in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) and will remain there until we substantially liquidate or sell our holdings in Sears Canada.

 

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SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

Changes in the fair value of any derivatives that are not designated as hedges are recorded in earnings each period. Sears Canada mitigates the risk of currency fluctuations on offshore merchandise purchases denominated in U.S. currency by purchasing U.S. dollar denominated option contracts for a portion of its expected requirements. Since Holdings’ functional currency is the U.S. dollar, we are not directly exposed to the risk of exchange rate changes due to Sears Canada’s merchandise purchases, and therefore we do not account for these instruments as a hedge of our foreign currency exposure risk.

Sears Canada Hedges of Merchandise Purchases

As of July 30, 2011, Sears Canada had entered into foreign currency collar contracts with a total notional value of $181 million. As discussed previously, these collar contracts are used to hedge Sears Canada’s purchase of inventory under U.S. dollar denominated contracts. We record mark-to-market adjustments based on the total notional value of these outstanding collar contracts at the end of each period. We recorded mark-to-market liabilities related to these foreign currency collar contracts of $10 million at July 30, 2011 and $3 million at January 29, 2011, and mark-to-market assets related to these foreign currency collar contracts of $3 million at July 31, 2010.

We record the earnings impact of mark-to-market and settlement adjustments for foreign currency collar contracts in other income (loss) at the end of each period. We recorded mark-to-market and settlement gains on these contracts of $8 million and mark-to-market and settlement losses of $8 million for the 13- and 26- week periods ended July 30, 2011, respectively. We recorded mark-to-market and settlement gains of $8 million and mark-to-market settlement losses of $7 million for these contracts for the 13- and 26- week periods ended July 31, 2010, respectively.

Sears Canada’s above noted foreign currency collar contracts were entered into as a hedge of merchandise purchase contracts denominated in U.S. currency. We also record mark-to-market adjustments for the value of the merchandise purchase contracts (considered embedded derivatives under relevant accounting rules) at the end of each period. We recorded assets of $1 million at July 30, 2011, $1 million at July 31, 2010 and $2 million at January 29, 2011 related to the fair value of these embedded derivatives.

We record the earnings impact of mark-to-market and settlement adjustments related to the embedded derivative in the merchandise purchase contracts in other income (loss) at the end of each period. We recorded mark-to-market and settlement losses of $3 million and mark-to-market and settlement gains of $1 million for the 13- and 26- week periods ended July 30, 2011, respectively. We recorded mark-to-market and settlement losses of $3 million and $2 million for the 13- and 26- week periods ended July 31, 2010, respectively.

At July 30, 2011 and July 31, 2010, we had net derivative mark-to-market liabilities related to the collar contracts and embedded derivatives of $9 million and mark-to-market assets related to the collar contracts and embedded derivatives of $4 million, respectively. We recorded total mark-to-market and settlement gains of $5 million and total mark-to-market and settlement losses of $7 million in other income (loss) for the 13- and 26- week periods ended July 30, 2011, respectively. We recorded total mark-to-market and settlement gains of $5 million and total mark-to-market and settlement losses of $9 million in other income (loss) for the 13- and 26- week periods ended July 31, 2010, respectively. See Note 4 for further information regarding fair value of these collar and merchandise purchase contracts and the respective balance sheet classifications as of July 30, 2011, July 31, 2010 and January 29, 2011.

Hedges of Net Investment in Sears Canada

At July 30, 2011, we had a foreign currency forward contract outstanding with a total Canadian notional value of $629 million and with a weighted-average remaining life of one year. This contract was designated and qualified as a hedge of the foreign currency exposure of our net investment in Sears Canada. Accordingly, the aggregate

 

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SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

fair value of the forward contract as of July 30, 2011 of approximately $9 million was recorded as a liability on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. The decline in fair value of $9 million related to this forward contract, net of tax, was recorded as a component of other comprehensive income for the 26-week period ended July 30, 2011.

We settled a foreign currency forward contract during the second quarter of 2011 and paid a net amount of $23 million relative to this contract settlement. As hedge accounting was applied to this contract, an offsetting amount was recorded as a component of other comprehensive income.

Certain of our currency forward contracts require collateral be posted in the event our liability under such contracts reaches a predetermined threshold. Cash collateral posted under these contracts is recorded as part of our accounts receivable balance. We had $12 million of cash collateral posted under these contracts as of July 30, 2011, $2 million as of July 31, 2010 and $3 million as of January 29, 2011.

Counterparty Credit Risk

We actively manage the risk of nonpayment by our derivative counterparties by limiting our exposure to individual counterparties based on credit ratings, value at risk and maturities. The counterparties to these instruments are major financial institutions with credit ratings of single-A or better at July 30, 2011.

NOTE 4 – FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

We determine fair value of financial assets and liabilities based on the following fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three levels:

Level 1 inputs – unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that we have the ability to access. An active market for the asset or liability is one in which transactions for the asset or liability occur with sufficient frequency and volume to provide ongoing pricing information.

Level 2 inputs – inputs other than quoted market prices included in Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, for the asset or liability. Level 2 inputs include, but are not limited to, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in an active market, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active and inputs other than quoted market prices that are observable for the asset or liability, such as interest rate curves and yield curves observable at commonly quoted intervals, volatilities, credit risk and default rates.

Level 3 inputs – unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.

Accounts receivable, merchandise payables, short-term borrowings, accrued liabilities and domestic cash and cash equivalents are reflected in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at cost, which approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments. The fair value of our debt is disclosed in Note 2 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. The following table provides the fair value measurement amounts for other financial assets and liabilities recorded in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value as of July 30, 2011, July 31, 2010 and January 29, 2011:

 

millions    Total Fair Value
Amounts at
July 30, 2011
    Level 1      Level 2     Level 3  

Cash equivalents (1 )

   $ 181      $     181       $       —        $       —     

Restricted cash (2 )

     21        21         —          —     

Foreign currency derivative assets ( 3 )

     1        —           1        —     

Foreign currency derivative liabilities (4)

     (19     —           (19     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 184      $ 202       $ (18   $ —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

millions    Total Fair Value
Amounts at
July 31, 2010
    Level 1      Level 2     Level 3  

Cash equivalents (1 )

   $ 691      $     691       $       —        $       —     

Restricted cash (2)

     6        6         —          —     

Foreign currency derivative assets ( 3)

     4        —           4        —     

Foreign currency derivative liabilities (4)

     (7     —           (7     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 694      $ 697       $ (3   $ —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

millions    Total Fair Value
Amounts at
January 29, 2011
    Level 1      Level 2     Level 3  

Cash equivalents (1 )

   $ 416      $     416       $       —        $       —     

Restricted cash (2)

     15        15         —          —     

Foreign currency derivative assets ( 3)

     3        —           3        —     

Foreign currency derivative liabilities (4)

     (3     —           (3  
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 431      $ 431       $ —        $ —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1)  

Included within Cash and cash equivalents in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

(2)  

Included within Restricted cash in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

(3)  

Included within Prepaid expenses and other current assets in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

(4)  

Included within Accrued expenses and other current liabilities in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The fair values of derivative assets and liabilities traded in the over-the-counter market are determined using quantitative models that require the use of multiple inputs including interest rates, prices and indices to generate pricing and volatility factors. The predominance of market inputs are actively quoted and can be validated through external sources, including brokers, market transactions and third-party pricing services. Our derivative instruments are valued using Level 2 measurements.

NOTE 5 – SEARS CANADA

Acquisition of Noncontrolling Interest

During the first quarter of 2010, we acquired approximately 19 million additional common shares of Sears Canada. We paid a total of $560 million for the additional shares and accounted for the acquisition of additional interest in Sears Canada as an equity transaction in accordance with accounting standards applicable to noncontrolling interests. Accordingly, we reclassified an accumulated other comprehensive loss from noncontrolling interest to controlling interest in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Equity at July 31, 2010 and the Consolidated Statement of Equity at January 29, 2011.

Sears Canada Share Repurchases

During the second quarter of 2011, Sears Canada renewed its Normal Course Issuer Bid with the Toronto Stock Exchange that permits it to purchase for cancellation up to 5% of its issued and outstanding common shares, representing approximately 5.3 million common shares. The purchase authorization expires on May 24, 2012 or on such earlier date as Sears Canada may complete its purchases pursuant to the Normal Course Issuer Bid. Sears Canada may not purchase common shares under the Normal Course Issuer Bid if they cannot be purchased at

 

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SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

prices that they consider attractive, and decisions regarding the timing of purchases will be based on market conditions and other factors. Sears Canada purchased and cancelled approximately 1.5 million common shares for $28 million and approximately 1.6 million common shares for $29 million during the 13- and 26- week periods ended July 30, 2011, respectively.

Sears Holdings Ownership of Sears Canada

At July 30, 2011 and July 31, 2010, Sears Holdings was the beneficial holder of approximately 97 million, or 94% and 97 million or 90%, respectively, of the common shares of Sears Canada.

Dividends

On May 18, 2010, Sears Canada announced that its Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $3.50 Canadian per common share, or approximately $377 million Canadian, which was paid on June 4, 2010 to shareholders of record at the close of business on May 31, 2010. Accordingly, Holdings received dividends of $318 million and minority shareholders in Sears Canada received dividends of $34 million during the second quarter of 2010.

NOTE 6 – STORE CLOSINGS AND CONVERSIONS

We made the decision to close 36 stores and change the format of 14 stores during the second quarter of 2011. The second quarter 2011 closings included 26 stores within our Sears Domestic segment and 10 stores in our Kmart segment. Also within the Sears Domestic segment are the 14 Essentials/Grand stores that will be converted to Kmart stores. For the second quarter of 2011, we recorded charges related to these store closings of $30 million and $10 million at Sears Domestic and Kmart, respectively, which included $15 million and $7 million recorded in cost of sales for inventory clearance markdowns and $15 million and $3 million recorded in selling and administrative expenses for store closing and severance costs. For the second quarter of 2011, we recorded impairment charges of $8 million in depreciation expense for accelerated depreciation on assets in stores we decided to close at Sears Domestic. We did not make a decision to close any stores during the second quarter of 2010.

In accordance with accounting standards governing costs associated with exit or disposal activities, expenses related to future rent payments for which the Company no longer intends to receive any economic benefit are accrued for when the Company ceases to use the leased space. We did not record any charges related to closed store lease obligations during the second quarter of 2011. During the second quarter of 2010, we closed seven stores we previously announced would close and recorded charges of $6 million for the related lease obligations.

For the first half of 2011, we recorded total store closing and conversion charges of $32 million and $10 million at Sears Domestic and Kmart, respectively, which included $16 million and $7 million recorded in cost of sales for inventory clearance markdowns and $16 million and $3 million recorded in selling and administrative expenses for store closing, severance and lease costs. We recorded impairment charges of $8 million in depreciation expense for accelerated depreciation on assets in stores we decided to close at Sears Domestic. For the first half of 2010, we recorded total store closing charges of $5 million and $4 million at Sears Domestic and Kmart, respectively, which included $1 million and $1 million recorded in cost of sales for inventory clearance markdowns and $4 million and $3 million recorded in selling and administrative expenses for store closing, severance and lease costs.

 

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SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

NOTE 7 – EQUITY

Share Repurchase Program

During the 13- and 26- week periods ended July 30, 2011, we repurchased 0.8 million and 2.0 million of our common shares at a total cost of $53 million and $154 million, respectively, under our share repurchase program. Our repurchases for the 13- and 26- week periods ended July 30, 2011 were made at average prices of $68.69 and $76.65 per share, respectively. At July 30, 2011, we had $533 million of remaining authorization under our common share repurchase program. The share repurchase program, authorized by our Board of Directors, has no stated expiration date and share repurchases may be implemented using a variety of methods, which may include open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions, block trades, accelerated share repurchase transactions, the purchase of call options, the sale of put options or otherwise, or by any combination of such methods.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

The following table displays the components of accumulated other comprehensive loss:

 

millions    July 30,
2011
    July 31,
2010
    January 29,
2011
 

Pension and postretirement adjustments (net of tax of $(451), $(468) and $(480), respectively)

   $ (725   $ (713   $ (783

Cumulative unrealized derivative gain (loss) (net of tax of $(3), $(2) and $0, respectively)

     (5     (3     1   

Currency translation adjustments (net of tax of $(34), $(20) and $(7), respectively)

     (15     (27     3   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

   $ (745   $ (743   $ (779
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Pension and postretirement adjustments relate to the net actuarial loss on our pension and postretirement plans recognized as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income. Accumulated other comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests at July 30, 2011, July 31, 2010 and January 29, 2011 was $4 million, $43 million and $4 million, respectively.

NOTE 8 – BENEFIT PLANS

Pension and Post-retirement Benefit Plans

We provide benefits to certain associates who are eligible under various defined benefit pension plans, contributory defined benefit pension plans and other post-retirement plans, primarily retiree medical benefits. For purposes of determining the periodic expense of our defined benefit plans, we use the fair value of plan assets as the market related value. The following table summarizes the components of total net periodic benefit expense for our retirement plans:

 

     13 Weeks Ended     26 Weeks Ended  
millions    July 30,
2011
    July 31,
2010
    July 30,
2011
    July 31,
2010
 

Components of net periodic expense:

        

Benefits earned during the period

   $ 2      $ 3      $ 4      $ 6   

Interest costs

     96        107        192        208   

Expected return on plan assets

     (89     (92     (178     (180

Amortization of experience gains/losses

     17        23        34        42   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net periodic expense

   $ 26      $ 41      $ 52      $ 76   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

Contributions

During the 13- and 26- week periods ended July 30, 2011, we made total contributions of $65 million and $143 million, respectively, to our pension and post-retirement plans. During the 13- and 26- week periods ended July 31, 2010, we made total contributions of $61 million and $122 million, respectively, to our pension and post-retirement plans. We anticipate making aggregate contributions to our domestic and Canadian defined benefit plans of approximately $226 million over the remainder of 2011.

NOTE 9 – INCOME TAXES

At July 30, 2011, we had gross unrecognized tax benefits of $200 million. Of this amount, $97 million would, if recognized, impact our effective tax rate, with the remaining amount being comprised of unrecognized tax benefits related to gross temporary differences or any other indirect benefits. During the 13- and 26- week periods ended July 30, 2011, gross unrecognized tax benefits were decreased by $10 million and increased by $8 million, respectively, due to federal, foreign, and state audit activity. We expect that our unrecognized tax benefits could decrease by as much as $26 million over the next 12 months for tax audit settlements and the expiration of the statute of limitations for certain jurisdictions.

We classify interest expense and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits and interest income on tax overpayments as components of income tax expense. At July 30, 2011, the total amount of interest and penalties included in our tax accounts in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets was $62 million ($42 million net of federal benefit). The total amount of net interest expense recognized as part of income tax expense in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the 13- and 26- week periods ended July 30, 2011 was $1 million (net of federal tax benefit) and $7 million (net of federal tax benefit), respectively.

We file income tax returns in the United States, as well as various foreign jurisdictions. The U.S. Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) is currently examining Holdings’ 2008 and 2009 federal income tax returns. The IRS has completed its examination of Holdings’ 2006 and 2007 federal income tax returns, and we are currently working with IRS appeals division to resolve certain matters arising from this exam. We have resolved all matters arising from prior IRS exams. In addition, Holdings and Sears are under examination by various state, local and foreign income tax jurisdictions for the years 2002–2009, and Kmart is under examination by such jurisdictions for the years 2003–2009.

At July 30, 2011, we had Federal credit carryforwards of $356 million, which will expire between 2015 and 2031.

At the end of 2010, we had a state NOL deferred tax asset of $250 million and a valuation allowance of $153 million. In the first half of 2011, there were no adjustments to the state NOL deferred tax asset and valuation allowance. The Company continues to monitor its operating performance and evaluate the likelihood of the future realization of these deferred tax assets. In the event that the Company does not achieve its forecasted results for the remainder of the fiscal year, additional valuation allowances may be required. The state NOLs will predominantly expire between 2017 and 2030.

NOTE 10 – SUMMARY OF SEGMENT DATA

These reportable segment classifications are based on our business formats, as described in Note 1. The Kmart and Sears Canada formats represent both operating and reportable segments. The Sears Domestic reportable segment consists of the aggregation of several business formats. These formats are evaluated by our Chief Operating Decision Maker to make decisions about resource allocation and to assess performance. Each of these segments derives its revenues from the sale of merchandise and related services to customers, primarily in the United States and Canada.

 

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SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

     13 Weeks Ended  
     July 30, 2011  
millions    Kmart     Sears
Domestic
    Sears
Canada
     Sears
Holdings
 

Merchandise sales and services

   $ 3,624      $ 5,534      $ 1,175       $ 10,333   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Costs and expenses

         

Cost of sales, buying and occupancy

     2,799        4,048        821         7,668   

Selling and administrative

     809        1,509        326         2,644   

Depreciation and amortization

     37        164        26         227   

Gain on sales of assets

     (5     (24     —           (29
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total costs and expenses

     3,640        5,697        1,173         10,510   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

   $ (16   $ (163   $ 2       $ (177
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 5,926      $ 15,008      $ 2,866       $ 23,800   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Capital expenditures

   $ 24      $ 47      $ 19       $ 90   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     13 Weeks Ended  
     July 31, 2010  
millions    Kmart     Sears
Domestic
    Sears
Canada
     Sears
Holdings
 

Merchandise sales and services

   $ 3,630      $ 5,674      $ 1,154       $ 10,458   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Costs and expenses

         

Cost of sales, buying and occupancy

     2,746        4,084        805         7,635   

Selling and administrative

     830        1,503        273         2,606   

Depreciation and amortization

     36        160        25         221   

Gain on sales of assets

     (1     (8     —           (9
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total costs and expenses

     3,611        5,739        1,103         10,453   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

   $ 19      $ (65   $ 51       $ 5   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 6,026      $ 15,667      $ 3,140       $ 24,833   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Capital expenditures

   $ 18      $ 46      $ 9       $ 73   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     26 Weeks Ended  
     July 30, 2011  
millions    Kmart     Sears
Domestic
    Sears
Canada
    Sears
Holdings
 

Merchandise sales and services

   $ 7,103      $ 10,746      $ 2,189      $ 20,038   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Costs and expenses

        

Cost of sales, buying and occupancy

     5,433        7,792        1,547        14,772   

Selling and administrative

     1,598        2,976        629        5,203   

Depreciation and amortization

     74        320        51        445   

Gain on sales of assets

     (7     (24     —          (31
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total costs and expenses

     7,098        11,064        2,227        20,389   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

   $ 5      $ (318   $ (38   $ (351
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 5,926      $ 15,008      $ 2,866      $ 23,800   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Capital expenditures

   $ 52      $ 109      $ 38      $ 199   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

     26 Weeks Ended  
     July 31, 2010  
millions    Kmart     Sears
Domestic
    Sears
Canada
     Sears
Holdings
 

Merchandise sales and services

   $ 7,213      $ 11,109      $ 2,182       $ 20,504   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Costs and expenses

         

Cost of sales, buying and occupancy

     5,457        7,873        1,521         14,851   

Selling and administrative

     1,612        3,011        538         5,161   

Depreciation and amortization

     72        320        50         442   

Gain on sales of assets

     (6     (47     —           (53
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total costs and expenses

     7,135        11,157        2,109         20,401   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

   $ 78      $ (48   $ 73       $ 103   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 6,026      $ 15,667      $ 3,140       $ 24,833   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Capital expenditures

   $ 63      $ 85      $ 20       $ 168   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

NOTE 11 – SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Other long-term liabilities as of July 30, 2011, July 31, 2010 and January 29, 2011 consisted of the following:

 

millions    July 30,
2011
     July 31,
2010
     January 29,
2011
 

Unearned revenues

   $ 796       $ 811       $ 794   

Self-insurance reserves

     767         812         757   

Other

     701         963         671   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 2,264       $ 2,586       $ 2,222   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

NOTE 12 – LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Robert F. Booth Trust, derivatively v. William C. Crowley, et al. – In August 2009, a shareholder derivative lawsuit was filed in United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against current and former directors William C. Crowley, Edward S. Lampert, Steven T. Mnuchin, Richard C. Perry, Ann N. Reese, Kevin B. Rollins, Emily Scott and Thomas Tisch, and nominally Sears Holdings Corporation. Plaintiff alleged that by nominating for re-election to the Sears Holdings Corporation board Mr. Crowley and Ms. Reese while they were also members of the boards of AutoNation, Inc. (Crowley), AutoZone, Inc. (Crowley), and Jones Apparel Group, Inc. (Reese), defendants violated Section 8 of the Clayton Act prohibiting “interlocking directorships” and breached their fiduciary duty to the Company. Plaintiff sought injunctive relief and recovery of its costs, including reasonable attorney fees. The parties have settled the matter and the Court has preliminarily approved the settlement. The parties have moved for final approval of the settlement and await the Court’s ruling in this regard. Also, Theodore H. Frank, a shareholder of the Company, has appealed the Court’s denial of his motion to intervene. The Appellate Court has suspended briefing on Mr. Frank’s appeal pending the Court’s ruling concerning final approval. In agreeing to the settlement, defendants did not admit any wrongdoing and denied committing any violation of law. Defendants agreed to the settlement solely to eliminate the uncertainties, burden and expense of further protracted litigation. The settlement does not have a material adverse effect on our annual results of operations, financial position, liquidity or capital resources.

 

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SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

We are a defendant in several lawsuits containing class-action allegations in which the plaintiffs are current and former hourly and salaried associates who allege various wage and hour violations and unlawful termination practices. The complaints generally seek unspecified monetary damages, injunctive relief, or both. Further, certain of these proceedings are in jurisdictions with reputations for aggressive application of laws and procedures against corporate defendants.

We are subject to various other legal and governmental proceedings, many involving litigation incidental to our businesses. Some matters contain class action allegations, environmental and asbestos exposure allegations and other consumer-based claims, each of which may seek compensatory, punitive or treble damage claims (potentially in large amounts), as well as other types of relief.

In accordance with accounting standards regarding loss contingencies, we accrue an undiscounted liability for those contingencies where the incurrence of a loss is probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated, and we disclose the amount accrued and the amount of a reasonably possible loss in excess of the amount accrued, if such disclosure is necessary for our financial statements to not be misleading. We do not record liabilities when the likelihood that the liability has been incurred is probable but the amount cannot be reasonably estimated, or when the liability is believed to be only reasonably possible or remote.

Because litigation outcomes are inherently unpredictable, our evaluation of legal proceedings often involves a series of complex assessments by management about future events and can rely heavily on estimates and assumptions. If the assessments indicate that loss contingencies that could be material to any one of our financial statements are not probable, but are reasonably possible, or are probable, but cannot be estimated, then we disclose the nature of the loss contingencies, together with an estimate of the range of possible loss or a statement that such loss is not reasonably estimable. While the consequences of certain unresolved proceedings are not presently determinable, and an estimate of the probable and reasonably possible loss or range of loss in excess of amounts accrued for such proceedings cannot be reasonably made, an adverse outcome from such proceedings could have a material effect on our earnings in any given reporting period. However, in the opinion of our management, after consulting with legal counsel, and taking into account insurance and reserves, the ultimate liability related to current outstanding matters is not expected to have a material effect on our financial position, liquidity or capital resources.

NOTE 13 – RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements

In May 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an accounting standards update which amends the definition of fair value measurement principles and disclosure requirements to eliminate differences between U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards. The update requires new quantitative and qualitative disclosures about the sensitivity of recurring Level 3 measurement disclosures, as well as transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. The update will be effective for us in the first quarter of 2012 and will primarily impact our disclosures, but otherwise is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial position, annual results of operations or cash flows.

In January 2010, the FASB issued an accounting standards update to improve disclosures about fair value measurements. The update amends existing accounting rules regarding fair value measurements and disclosures to add new requirements for disclosures related to transfers into and out of investment Levels 1 and 2, and separate disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements relating to Level 3 investment

 

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SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

measurements. It also clarifies existing fair value disclosures about the level of disaggregation, as well as inputs and valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The update is effective for the first reporting period beginning after December 15, 2009, except for the requirement to provide the Level 3 activity of purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements on a gross basis, which is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010. As this update only relates to financial statement disclosures, it did not have an impact on our results of operations, cash flows or financial position. See Note 4 for further discussion regarding our fair value measurements of financial assets and liabilities.

Presentation of Comprehensive Income

In June 2011, the FASB issued an accounting standards update which revises the manner in which entities present comprehensive income in their financial statements. The new guidance removes the presentation options in existing guidance and requires entities to report components of comprehensive income in either (1) a continuous statement of comprehensive income or (2) two separate but consecutive statements. Under the two-statement approach, the first statement would include components of net income, which is consistent with the income statement format used today, and the second statement would include components of other comprehensive income (“OCI”). The update does not change the items that must be reported in OCI and its amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011. The guidance must be applied retrospectively for all periods presented in the financial statements. Early adoption is permitted. As this update only relates to financial statement presentation, we do not expect this update to have a material effect on our results of operations, cash flows or financial position.

NOTE 14 – RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURE

Our Board of Directors has delegated authority to direct investment of our surplus cash to Edward S. Lampert, subject to various limitations that have been or may be from time to time adopted by the Board of Directors and/or the Finance Committee of the Board of Directors. Mr. Lampert is Chairman of our Board of Directors and Finance Committee and is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of ESL. Neither Mr. Lampert nor ESL will receive compensation for any such investment activities undertaken on our behalf. ESL beneficially owned 61.0% of our outstanding common stock as of July 30, 2011.

Further, to clarify the expectations that the Board of Directors has with respect to the investment of our surplus cash, the Board has renounced, in accordance with Delaware law, any interest or expectancy of the Company associated with any investment opportunities in securities that may come to the attention of Mr. Lampert or any employee, officer, director or advisor to ESL and its affiliated investment entities (each, a “Covered Party”) who also serves as an officer or director of the Company other than (a) investment opportunities that come to such Covered Party’s attention directly and exclusively in such Covered Party’s capacity as a director, officer or employee of the Company, (b) control investments in companies in the mass merchandising, retailing, commercial appliance distribution, product protection agreements, residential and commercial product installation and repair services and automotive repair and maintenance industries and (c) investment opportunities in companies or assets with a significant role in our retailing business, including investment in real estate currently leased by the Company or in suppliers for which the Company is a substantial customer representing over 10% of such companies’ revenues, but excluding investments of ESL as of May 23, 2005.

Sears Holdings, through its subsidiaries, engages in commercial transactions with AutoZone, Inc. (“AutoZone”) in the ordinary course of business. In the first half of 2011, we paid AutoZone approximately $14 million for automotive parts, accessories and other services. ESL owns approximately 29.3% of the outstanding common stock of AutoZone (based on publicly available data at July 25, 2011).

 

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SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

During the first half of 2011, ESL purchased unsecured commercial paper issued by SRAC, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Sears Holdings. The weighted average of maturity, annual interest rate, and principal amount outstanding for this commercial paper in the first half of 2011 was 30.2 days, 1.00% and $240 million, respectively. At July 30, 3011, ESL held $240 million in principal amount of 30-day unsecured commercial paper issued by Sears Roebuck Acceptance Corp. under its commercial paper program, which includes $120 million held by ESL for the benefit of Mr. Lampert. The commercial paper purchases were made in the ordinary course of business on substantially the same terms, including the interest rate, as terms prevailing for comparable transactions with other persons, and did not present features unfavorable to the Company.

The Company employs certain employees of ESL. William R. Harker, a Senior Vice President of the Company, serves as Executive Vice President and General Counsel of ESL and our Senior Vice President of Real Estate is employed by ESL.

NOTE 15 – SPIN-OFF OF ORCHARD SUPPLY HARDWARE STORES CORPORATION

On June 23, 2011, we announced that Orchard Supply Hardware Stores Corporation (“Orchard”), which currently operates 89 full-service hardware stores in California, has filed a Registration Statement on Form S-1 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Registration Statement”) in connection with Holdings’ plan to spin off its interest in Orchard. The spin-off will result in Holdings’ shareholders owning all of the capital stock of Orchard that is owned by Holdings immediately prior to the spin-off, which will consist of common stock that will represent approximately 80% of the voting power of Orchard’s outstanding capital stock and preferred stock that will represent 100% of Orchard’s outstanding nonvoting capital stock. The spin-off would be effected through the pro rata distribution of the Orchard common stock and preferred stock that we hold to our shareholders. We expect that the spin-off will be tax-free to Holdings’ shareholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes, except for any cash received in lieu of fractional shares. The spin-off is subject to final approval by the Holdings’ Board of Directors and the satisfaction of certain other conditions, including the effectiveness of the Registration Statement filed by Orchard, and Holdings may, at any time until the spin-off, decide to abandon the spin-off or modify or change the terms of the spin-off.

NOTE 16 – GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION

At July 30, 2011, the principal amount outstanding of the Company’s 6 5/8% senior secured notes due 2018 was $1.25 billion. These notes were issued in 2010 by Sears Holdings Corporation (“Parent”). The notes are guaranteed by certain of our 100% owned domestic subsidiaries (the “guarantor subsidiaries”). The following condensed consolidated financial information presents the Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets at July 30, 2011, July 31, 2010 and January 29, 2011, the Condensed Consolidating Statements of Income for the 13- and 26- week periods ended July 30, 2011 and July 31, 2010 and the Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows for the 26- week periods ended July 30, 2011 and July 31, 2010 of (i) Parent; (ii) the guarantor subsidiaries; (iii) the non-guarantor subsidiaries; (iv) eliminations and (v) the Company on a consolidated basis.

The principal elimination entries relate to investments in subsidiaries and inter-company balances and transactions including transactions with our wholly-owned non-guarantor insurance subsidiary. The Company has accounted for investments in subsidiaries under the equity method. The guarantor subsidiaries are 100% owned directly or indirectly by the Parent and all guarantees are joint, several and unconditional. Additionally, the notes are secured by a security interest in certain assets consisting primarily of domestic inventory and credit card receivables of the guarantor subsidiaries, and consequently may not be available to satisfy the claims of the Company’s general creditors.

 

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SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet

July 30, 2011

 

millions    Parent      Guarantor
Subsidiaries
     Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
     Eliminations     Consolidated  

Current assets

             

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ —         $ 422      $ 236      $ —        $ 658  

Intercompany receivables

     —           —           25,233        (25,233 )     —     

Accounts receivable

     116        919        237        (490 )     782  

Merchandise inventories

     —           8,321        1,105        —          9,426  

Other current assets

     —           262        557        (381 )     438  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     116        9,924        27,368        (26,104 )     11,304  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total property and equipment, net

     —           5,609        1,550        —          7,159  

Goodwill and intangible assets

     —           1,750        2,748        —          4,498  

Other assets

     18        1,264        2,697        (3,140 )     839  

Investment in subsidiaries

     20,992        25,547        —           (46,539 )     —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

   $ 21,126      $ 44,094      $ 34,363      $ (75,783 )   $ 23,800  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Current liabilities

             

Short-term borrowings

   $ —         $ 927      $ —         $ —        $ 927  

Current portion of long-term debt and capitalized lease obligations

     —           270        29        —          299  

Merchandise payables

     —           2,774        550        —          3,324  

Intercompany payables

     11,784        13,449        —           (25,233 )     —     

Other current liabilities

     33        2,867        2,350        (871 )     4,379  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     11,817        20,287        2,929        (26,104 )     8,929  

Long-term debt and capitalized lease obligations

     1,246        2,857        462        (2,152 )     2,413  

Pension and postretirement benefits

     —           1,694        350        —          2,044  

Other long-term liabilities

     —           856        2,396        (988 )     2,264  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

     13,063        25,694        6,137        (29,244 )     15,650  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

EQUITY

             

Shareholder’s equity

     8,063        18,400        28,226        (46,628 )     8,061  

Noncontrolling interest

     —           —           —           89       89  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Equity

     8,063        18,400        28,226        (46,539 )     8,150  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

   $ 21,126      $ 44,094      $ 34,363      $ (75,783 )   $ 23,800  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet

July 31, 2010

 

millions    Parent      Guarantor
Subsidiaries
     Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
     Eliminations     Consolidated  

Current assets

             

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ —         $ 415      $ 778      $ —        $ 1,193  

Intercompany receivables

     —           —           24,605        (24,605 )     —     

Accounts receivable

     76        852        243        (417 )     754  

Merchandise inventories

     —           8,435        995        —          9,430  

Other current assets

     —           271        499        (386 )     384  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     76        9,973        27,120        (25,408 )     11,761  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total property and equipment, net

     —           5,919        1,566        —          7,485  

Goodwill and intangible assets

     —           1,796        2,769        —          4,565  

Other assets

     —           1,690        2,495        (3,163 )     1,022  

Investment in subsidiaries

     20,966        25,390        —           (46,356 )     —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

   $ 21,042      $ 44,768      $ 33,950      $ (74,927 )   $ 24,833  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Current liabilities

             

Short-term borrowings

   $ —         $ 1,218      $ —         $ —        $ 1,218  

Current portion of long-term debt and capitalized lease obligations

     —           351        239        —          590  

Merchandise payables

     —           3,193        480        —          3,673  

Intercompany payables

     12,530        12,075        —           (24,605 )     —     

Other current liabilities

     —           2,164        3,236        (803 )     4,597  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     12,530        19,001        3,955        (25,408 )     10,078  

Long-term debt and capitalized lease obligations

     —           2,862        393        (1,877 )     1,378  

Pension and postretirement benefits

     —           1,959        213        —          2,172  

Other long-term liabilities

     —           2,033        1,839        (1,286 )     2,586  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

     12,530        25,855        6,400        (28,571 )     16,214  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

EQUITY

             

Shareholder’s equity

     8,512        18,913        27,550        (46,463 )     8,512  

Noncontrolling interest

     —           —           —           107       107  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Equity

     8,512        18,913        27,550        (46,356 )     8,619  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

   $ 21,042      $ 44,768      $ 33,950      $ (74,927 )   $ 24,833  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet

January 29, 2011

 

millions    Parent      Guarantor
Subsidiaries
     Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
     Eliminations     Consolidated  

Current assets

             

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 140      $ 778      $ 457      $ —        $ 1,375  

Intercompany receivables

     —           —           25,010        (25,010 )     —     

Accounts receivable

     65        722        236        (340 )     683  

Merchandise inventories

     —           8,026        1,097        —          9,123  

Other current assets

     1        435        474        (556 )     354  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     206        9,961        27,274        (25,906 )     11,535  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total property and equipment, net

     —           5,809        1,556        —          7,365  

Goodwill and intangible assets

     —           1,773        2,758        —          4,531  

Other assets

     19        1,229        2,692        (3,103 )     837  

Investment in subsidiaries

     21,199        25,417        —           (46,616 )     —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

   $ 21,424      $ 44,189      $ 34,280      $ (75,625 )   $ 24,268  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Current liabilities

             

Short-term borrowings

   $ —         $ 360      $ —         $ —        $ 360  

Current portion of long-term debt and capitalized lease obligations

     —           474        35        —          509  

Merchandise payables

     —           2,566        535        —          3,101  

Intercompany payables

     11,641        13,369        —           (25,010 )     —     

Other current liabilities

     26        2,233        3,285        (896 )     4,648  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     11,667        19,002        3,855        (25,906 )     8,618  

Long-term debt and capitalized lease obligations

     1,246        2,841        579        (2,003 )     2,663  

Pension and postretirement benefits

     —           1,822        329        —          2,151  

Other long-term liabilities

     —           1,677        1,645        (1,100 )     2,222  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

     12,913        25,342        6,408        (29,009 )     15,654  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

EQUITY

             

Shareholder’s equity

     8,511        18,847        27,872        (46,719 )     8,511  

Noncontrolling interest

     —           —           —           103       103  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Equity

     8,511        18,847        27,872        (46,616 )     8,614  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

   $ 21,424      $ 44,189      $ 34,280      $ (75,625 )   $ 24,268  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income

For the 13 Weeks Ended July 30, 2011

 

millions    Parent     Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Eliminations     Consolidated  

Merchandise sales and services

   $ —        $ 8,994      $ 2,227      $ (888   $ 10,333   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cost of sales, buying and occupancy

     —          6,791        1,302        (425     7,668   

Selling and administrative

     —          2,428        679        (463     2,644   

Depreciation and amortization

     —          176        51        —          227   

Gain on sales of assets

     —          (29     —          —          (29
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total costs and expenses

     —          9,366        2,032        (888     10,510   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

     —          (372     195        —          (177

Interest expense

     (54     (92     (34     103        (77

Interest and investment income (loss)

     —          9        106        (103     12   

Other income

     —          —          4        —          4   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

     (54     (455     271        —          (238

Income taxes

     19        127        (52     —          94   

Equity in earnings in subsidiaries

     (109     148        —          (39     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

     (144     (180     219        (39     (144

Income attributable to noncontrolling interests

     —          —          —          (2     (2
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO HOLDINGS’ SHAREHOLDERS

   $ (144   $ (180   $ 219      $ (41   $ (146
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income

For the 13 Weeks Ended July 31, 2010

 

millions    Parent     Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Eliminations     Consolidated  

Merchandise sales and services

   $ —        $ 9,074     $ 2,252     $ (868   $ 10,458  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cost of sales, buying and occupancy

     —          6,756       1,300       (421     7,635  

Selling and administrative

     —          2,383        670       (447     2,606  

Depreciation and amortization

     —          171       50        —          221  

Gain on sales of assets

     —          (9 )     —          —          (9 )
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total costs and expenses

     —          9,301       2,020       (868 )     10,453  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

     —          (227 )     232       —          5  

Interest expense

     (38 )     (108 )     (31 )     108        (69

Interest and investment income (loss)

     —          10        104       (108     6  

Other income

     —          —          5       —          5   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

     (38 )     (325 )     310       —          (53 )

Income taxes

     14        77        (72 )     —          19  

Equity in earnings in subsidiaries

     (10     164       —          (154     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

     (34     (84     238        (154     (34

Income attributable to noncontrolling interests

     —          —          —          (5     (5
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO HOLDINGS’ SHAREHOLDERS

   $ (34 )   $ (84   $ 238     $ (159 )   $ (39
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

23


Table of Contents

SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income

For the 26 Weeks Ended July 30, 2011

 

millions    Parent     Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Eliminations     Consolidated  

Merchandise sales and services

   $ —        $ 17,480      $ 4,329      $ (1,771   $ 20,038   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cost of sales, buying and occupancy

     —          13,116        2,525        (869     14,772   

Selling and administrative

     1        4,741        1,363        (902     5,203   

Depreciation and amortization

     —          344        101        —          445   

Gain on sales of assets

     —          (31     —          —          (31
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total costs and expenses

     1        18,170        3,989        (1,771     20,389   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

     (1     (690     340        —          (351

Interest expense

     (110     (192     (67     212        (157

Interest and investment income (loss)

     —          22        215        (212     25   

Other loss

     —          —          (8     —          (8
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

     (111     (860     480        —          (491

Income taxes

     39        222        (88     —          173   

Equity in earnings in subsidiaries

     (246     242        —          4        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

     (318     (396     392        4        (318

Loss attributable to noncontrolling interests

     —          —          —          2        2   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO HOLDINGS’ SHAREHOLDERS

   $ (318   $ (396   $ 392      $ 6      $ (316
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

24


Table of Contents

SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income

For the 26 Weeks Ended July 31, 2010

 

millions    Parent     Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Eliminations     Consolidated  

Merchandise sales and services

   $ —        $ 17,864     $ 4,360     $ (1,720   $ 20,504  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cost of sales, buying and occupancy

     —          13,195       2,498       (842     14,851  

Selling and administrative

     1       4,713        1,325       (878     5,161  

Depreciation and amortization

     —          342       100        —          442  

Gain on sales of assets

     —          (51 )     (2 )     —          (53 )
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total costs and expenses

     1       18,199       3,921       (1,720 )     20,401  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

     (1 )     (335 )     439       —          103  

Interest expense

     (72 )     (206 )     (64 )     206        (136

Interest and investment income (loss)

     —          23        204        (206     21  

Other loss

     —          —          (9 )     —          (9
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

     (73 )     (518 )     570       —          (21 )

Income taxes

     26        104        (126 )     —          4  

Equity in earnings in subsidiaries

     30        295       —          (325     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

     (17     (119     444        (325     (17

Income attributable to noncontrolling interests

     —          —          —          (6     (6
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO HOLDINGS’ SHAREHOLDERS

   $ (17 )   $ (119   $ 444     $ (331 )   $ (23
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

25


Table of Contents

SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows

For the 26 Weeks Ended July 30, 2011

 

millions    Parent     Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Eliminations     Consolidated  

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

   $ —        $ (896 )   $ 429     $ —        $ (467 )
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Proceeds from sales of property and investments

     —          42       —          —          42  

Net increase in investments and restricted cash

     —          —          (5 )     —          (5

Purchases of property and equipment

     —          (154 )     (45 )     —          (199 )

Net investing with Affiliates

     —          —          (102 )     102       —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

     —          (112 )     (152 )     102       (162 )
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Proceeds from debt issuances

     —          —          39       —          39   

Repayments of long-term debt

     —          (319 )     (178 )     —          (497

Increase in short-term borrowings, primarily 90 days or less

     —          567       —          —          567   

Debt issuance costs

     —          (35 )     —          —          (35 )

Purchase of Sears Canada shares

     —          —          (22 )     —          (22 )

Purchase of treasury stock

     —          (154 )     —          —          (154 )

Net borrowing with Affiliates

     (140 )     593        (351 )     (102 )     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     (140 )     652       (512 )     (102 )     (102 )
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

     —          —          14       —          14  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

     (140 )     (356 )     (221 )     —          (717 )

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF YEAR

     140       778       457       —          1,375  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD

   $ —        $ 422     $ 236     $ —        $ 658  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

26


Table of Contents

SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows

For the 26 Weeks Ended July 31, 2010

 

millions    Parent      Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Eliminations     Consolidated  

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

   $ —         $ (667 )   $ 477     $ —        $ (190 )
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Proceeds from sales of property and investments

     —           16       —          —          16  

Net decrease in investments and restricted cash

     —           3       6       —          9   

Purchases of property and equipment

     —           (143 )     (25 )     —          (168 )

Net investing with Affiliates

     —           —          (100 )     100       —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

     —           (124 )     (119 )     100       (143 )
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Repayments of long-term debt

     —           (24 )     (204 )     —          (228 )

Increase in short-term borrowings, primarily 90 days or less

     —           893       —          —          893   

Purchase of Sears Canada shares

     —           (560 )     —          —          (560 )

Purchase of treasury stock

     —           (273 )     —          —          (273 )

Sears Canada dividend paid to noncontrolling shareholders

     —           318        (352 )     —          (34 )

Net borrowing with Affiliates

     —           482        (382 )     (100 )     —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     —           836       (938 )     (100 )     (202 )
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

     —           —          39       —          39  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

     —           45       (541 )     —          (496 )

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF YEAR

     —           370       1,319       —          1,689  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD

   $ —         $ 415     $ 778     $ —        $ 1,193  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION

13 and 26 Weeks Ended July 30, 2011 and July 31, 2010

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with Part II, Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 29, 2011.

OVERVIEW OF HOLDINGS

Holdings, the parent company of Kmart and Sears, was formed in connection with the March 24, 2005 Merger of these two companies. We are a broadline retailer with 2,188 full-line and 1,370 specialty retail stores in the United States, operating through Kmart and Sears, and 495 full-line and specialty retail stores in Canada operating through Sears Canada Inc. (“Sears Canada”), a 94%-owned subsidiary. We conduct our operations in three business segments: Kmart, Sears Domestic and Sears Canada. The nature of operations conducted within each of these segments is discussed within the “Business Segments” section of Part I, Item 1 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 29, 2011.

CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

    13 Weeks Ended     26 Weeks Ended  
millions, except per share data   July 30,
2011
    July 31,
2010
    July 30,
2011
    July 31,
2010
 

REVENUES

       

Merchandise sales and services

  $ 10,333      $ 10,458      $ 20,038      $ 20,504   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

COSTS AND EXPENSES

       

Cost of sales, buying and occupancy

    7,668        7,635        14,772        14,851   

Gross margin dollars

    2,665        2,823        5,266        5,653   

Gross margin rate

    25.8     27.0     26.3     27.6

Selling and administrative

    2,644        2,606        5,203        5,161   

Selling and administrative expense as a percentage of total revenues

    25.6     24.9     26.0     25.2

Depreciation and amortization

    227        221        445        442   

Gain on sales of assets

    (29     (9     (31     (53
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total costs and expenses

    10,510        10,453        20,389        20,401   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

    (177     5        (351     103   

Interest expense

    (77     (69     (157     (136

Interest and investment income

    12        6        25        21   

Other income (loss)

    4        5        (8     (9
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss before income taxes

    (238     (53     (491     (21

Income tax benefit

    94        19        173        4   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss

    (144     (34     (318     (17

(Income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests

    (2     (5     2        (6
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO HOLDINGS’ SHAREHOLDERS

  $ (146   $ (39   $ (316   $ (23
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

LOSS PER COMMON SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO HOLDINGS’ SHAREHOLDERS

       

Diluted loss per share

  $ (1.37   $ (0.35   $ (2.95   $ (0.20

Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding

    106.8        112.6        107.3        113.6   

References to comparable store sales amounts within the following discussion include sales for all stores operating for a period of at least 12 full months, including remodeled and expanded stores, but excluding store relocations and format changes.

Beginning with the first quarter of 2011, we now include in comparable stores sales online sales from sears.com and kmart.com shipped directly to customers. These online sales increased 32% for the second quarter and 27%

 

28


Table of Contents

SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION

13 and 26 Weeks Ended July 30, 2011 and July 31, 2010

 

for the first half of 2011 compared to the prior year. The change resulted in a positive benefit of approximately 60 basis points and approximately 55 basis points to total domestic comparable sales for the second quarter and first half of 2011, respectively, predominately in the Sears Domestic Segment.

Net Loss Attributable to Holdings’ Shareholders, Loss per Share Summary and Adjusted EBITDA

We recorded a net loss attributable to Holdings’ shareholders for the second quarter of $146 million, or $1.37 loss per diluted share, in 2011 and $39 million, or $0.35 loss per diluted share, in 2010. We recorded a net loss attributable to Holdings’ shareholders for the first half of the year of $316 million, or $2.95 loss per diluted share, in 2011 and $23 million, or $0.20 loss per diluted share, in 2010.

In addition to our net loss determined in accordance with GAAP, for purposes of evaluating operating performance, we use an Adjusted Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (“Adjusted EBITDA”) measurement computed as net income (loss) attributable to Sears Holdings Corporation appearing on the statements of operations excluding income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest, income tax expense (benefit), interest and investment income, other (income) loss, interest expense, gain on sales of assets and depreciation and amortization. In addition, it is adjusted to exclude certain significant items as set forth below. Our management uses Adjusted EBITDA to evaluate the operating performance of our businesses, as well as executive compensation metrics, for comparable periods. Adjusted EBITDA should not be used by investors or other third parties as the sole basis for formulating investment decisions as it excludes a number of important cash and non-cash recurring items.

While Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measurement, management believes that it is an important indicator of operating performance because:

 

   

EBITDA excludes the effects of financings and investing activities by eliminating the effects of interest and depreciation costs;

 

   

Management considers gains/(losses) on the sale of assets to result from investing decisions rather than ongoing operations; and

 

   

Other significant items, while periodically affecting our results, may vary significantly from period to period and have a disproportionate effect in a given period, which affects comparability of results.

Adjusted EBITDA was determined as follows:

 

     13 Weeks Ended     26 Weeks Ended  
     July 30,
2011
    July 31,
2010
    July 30,
2011
    July 31,
2010
 

Net loss attributable to SHC per statement of operations

   $ (146   $ (39   $ (316   $ (23

Income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest

     2        5        (2     6   

Income tax benefit

     (94     (19     (173     (4

Interest expense

     77        69        157        136   

Interest and investment income

     (12     (6     (25     (21

Other (income) loss

     (4     (5     8        9   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income (loss )

     (177     5        (351     103   

Depreciation and amortization

     227        221        445        442   

Gain on sales of assets

     (29     (9     (31     (53
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Before excluded items

     21        217        63        492   

Domestic pension expense

     18        31        37        57   

Closed store reserve and severance

     40        6        42        9   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA as defined

   $ 79      $ 254      $ 142      $ 558   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

% to revenues

     0.8     2.4     0.7     2.7

 

29


Table of Contents

SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION

13 and 26 Weeks Ended July 30, 2011 and July 31, 2010

 

Adjusted EBITDA for our segments are as follows:

 

     13 Weeks Ended  
     Adjusted EBITDA      % To Revenues  
     July 30,
2011
     July 31,
2010
     July 30,
2011
    July 31,
2010
 

Kmart

   $ 26       $ 57         0.7     1.6

Sears Domestic

     25         121         0.5     2.1

Sears Canada

     28         76         2.4     6.6
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Adjusted EBITDA

   $ 79       $ 254         0.8     2.4
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

     26 Weeks Ended  
     Adjusted EBITDA      % To Revenues  
     July 30,
2011
     July 31,
2010
     July 30,
2011
    July 31,
2010
 

Kmart

   $ 82       $ 148         1.2     2.1

Sears Domestic

     47         287         0.4     2.6

Sears Canada

     13         123         0.6     5.6
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Adjusted EBITDA

   $ 142       $ 558         0.7     2.7
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

The following tables set forth results of operations on a GAAP and “As Adjusted” basis, as well as the impact each significant item used in calculating Adjusted EBITDA had on specific income and expense amounts reported in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations during the second quarter and first half of 2011 and 2010.

 

    13 Weeks Ended July 30, 2011  
millions, except per share data   GAAP     Domestic
Pension
Expense
    Closed Store
Reserve and
Severance
    Mark-to-Market
Gains
    Gain on
Sales of
Real
Estate
    As
Adjusted
 

Cost of sales, buying and occupancy impact

  $ 7,668      $ —        $ (22   $ —        $ —        $ 7,646   

Selling and administrative impact

    2,644        (18     (18     —          —          2,608   

Depreciation and amortization impact

    227        —          (8     —          —          219   

Gain on sales of assets impact

    (29     —          —          —          21        (8

Operating loss impact

    (177     18        48        —          (21     (132

Other income impact

    4        —          —          (2     —          2   

Income tax benefit impact

    94        (7     (19     1        8        77   

Noncontrolling interest impact

    (2     —          —          —          —          (2

After tax and noncontrolling interest impact

    (146     11        29        (1     (13     (120

Diluted loss per share impact

  $ (1.37   $ 0.10      $ 0.27      $ (0.01   $ (0.12   $ (1.13

 

     13 Weeks Ended July 31, 2010  
millions, except per share data    GAAP     Domestic
Pension
Expense
    Closed Store
Reserve and
Severance
    Mark-to-Market
Gains
    As
Adjusted
 

Selling and administrative impact

   $ 2,606      $ (31   $ (6   $ —        $ 2,569   

Operating income impact

     5        31        6        —          42   

Other income impact

     5        —          —          (8     (3

Income tax benefit impact

     19        (12     (2     2        7   

Noncontrolling interest impact

     (5     —          —          1        (4

After tax and noncontrolling interest impact

     (39     19        4        (5     (21

Diluted loss per share impact

   $ (0.35   $ 0.17      $ 0.04      $ (0.05   $ (0.19

 

30


Table of Contents

SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION

13 and 26 Weeks Ended July 30, 2011 and July 31, 2010

 

    26 Weeks Ended July 30, 2011  
millions, except per share data   GAAP     Domestic
Pension
Expense
    Closed Store
Reserve and
Severance
    Mark-to-Market
Losses
    Gain on
Sales of
Real Estate
    As
Adjusted
 

Cost of sales, buying and occupancy impact

  $ 14,772      $ —        $ (23   $ —        $ —        $ 14,749   

Selling and administrative impact.

    5,203        (37     (19     —          —          5,147   

Depreciation and amortization impact

    445        —          (8     —          —          437   

Gain on sales of assets impact

    (31     —          —          —          21        (10

Operating loss impact

    (351     37        50        —          (21     (285

Other loss impact

    (8     —          —          10        —          2   

Income tax benefit impact

    173        (13     (18     (3     7        146   

Noncontrolling interest impact

    2        —          —          (1     —          1   

After tax and noncontrolling interest impact

    (316     24        32        6        (14     (268

Diluted loss per share impact

  $ (2.95   $ 0.22      $ 0.30      $ 0.06      $ (0.13   $ (2.50

 

    26 Weeks Ended July 31, 2010  
millions, except per share data   GAAP     Domestic
Pension
Expense
    Closed Store
Reserve and
Severance
    Mark-to-Market
Losses
    Gain on
Sales of
Real Estate
    As
Adjusted
 

Cost of sales, buying and occupancy impact

  $ 14,851      $ —        $ (2   $ —        $ —        $ 14,849   

Selling and administrative impact.

    5,161        (57     (7     —          —          5,097   

Gain on sales of assets impact

    (53     —          —          —          35        (18

Operating income impact

    103        57        9        —          (35     134   

Other loss impact

    (9     —          —          2        —          (7

Income tax benefit impact

    4        (21     (3     (1     13        (8

Noncontrolling interest impact

    (6     —          —          —          —          (6

After tax and noncontrolling interest impact

    (23     36        6        1        (22     (2

Diluted loss per share impact

  $ (0.20   $ 0.32      $ 0.06      $ 0.01      $ (0.20   $ (0.01

Contributions to our pension plans remain a significant use of our cash on an annual basis. While Sears Holdings’ pension plan is frozen, and thus associates do not currently earn pension benefits, we have a legacy pension obligation for past service performed by Kmart and Sears, Roebuck and Co. associates. The annual pension expense included in our financial statements related to these legacy domestic pension plans was relatively minimal in years prior to 2009. However, due to the severe decline in the capital markets that occurred in the latter part of 2008, our domestic pension expense was $120 million in 2010 and $170 million in 2009.

13-week period ended July 30, 2011 compared to the 13-week period ended July 31, 2010

Total Revenues and Comparable Store Sales

Total revenues decreased $125 million to $10.3 billion for the quarter ended July 30, 2011, as compared to total revenues of $10.5 billion for the quarter ended July 31, 2010. The decline in total revenue for the quarter was primarily a result of a 0.7% decrease in domestic comparable store sales and the effect of having fewer Kmart and Sears Full-line stores in operation, in addition to a 5.8% decline in comparable store sales at Sears Canada, partially offset by an increase of $86 million due to changes in the Canadian foreign exchange rate.

The domestic comparable store sales results included a decrease at Sears Domestic of 1.2%, while sales at Kmart were flat. Decreases in sales for the quarter at Sears Domestic were primarily driven by consumer electronics.

 

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Excluding the consumer electronics decline, domestic comparable store sales would have been flat. The Kmart quarterly comparable store sales included increases in several categories, such as outdoor living, grocery and household, tools, appliances and footwear, which were offset by decreases in the consumer electronics, pharmacy and drug categories.

Gross Margin

For the quarter, we generated gross margin of $2.7 billion in 2011 and $2.8 billion last year. The total decline in gross margin dollars of $158 million was primarily driven by decreases in the gross margin rate at Kmart and Sears Domestic and included an increase of $26 million related to the impact of foreign currency exchange rates on gross margin at Sears Canada and a $22 million charge for markdowns recorded in connection with store closings announced during the second quarter of 2011.

Kmart’s gross margin rate declined 160 basis points mainly due to increased promotional and clearance markdowns in apparel and home, as well as declines in other categories. Sears Domestic’s gross margin rate declined 110 basis points mainly due to reduced margins in the home appliance category, driven primarily by increased promotional activity, including the use of instant free delivery, increased promotional markdowns in apparel and declines in home services. Sears Canada’s gross margin rate for the quarter was flat to last year.

Selling and Administrative Expenses

For the quarter, our selling and administrative expenses increased $38 million as compared to the second quarter in 2010. Selling and administrative expenses at Sears Canada increased $53 million from last year, and included an increase of $22 million related to the impact of foreign currency exchange rates. On a Canadian dollar basis, selling and administrative expenses increased by $31 million primarily due to increased investment in strategic projects, partially offset by reductions in payroll and advertising expenses. This increase was partially offset by reductions at Sears Domestic.

Selling and administrative expenses for the second quarter of 2011 included domestic pension plan expense of $18 million and store closing costs and severance of $18 million. Selling and administrative expenses for the second quarter of 2010 included domestic pension plan expense of $31 million and store closing costs and severance of $6 million.

For the quarter, our selling and administrative expenses as a percentage of total revenues (“selling and administrative expense rate”) was 25.6% in 2011, as compared to 24.9% in 2010, and increased primarily as a result of the above noted increase in selling and administrative expenses at Sears Canada, as well as the decline in revenues.

Gain on Sales of Assets

We recorded total gains on sales of assets for the quarter of $29 million in 2011 and $9 million in 2010. Gains on sales of assets for the second quarter of 2011 include a gain of $21 million recognized on the sale of two stores in California operated under The Great Indoors format.

Operating Income/Loss

We reported an operating loss for the quarter of $177 million in 2011 compared to operating income for the quarter of $5 million in 2010. The decline in operating income of $182 million was primarily the result of a

 

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decline in our gross margin dollars, given lower overall sales and a decline in our gross margin rate of 120 basis points and an increase in selling and administrative expenses at Sears Canada. Operating loss for the second quarter of 2011 included expenses of $66 million related to domestic pension plans, store closings and severance, as well as a gain on sale of assets of $21 million. Our operating income for the second quarter of 2010 included expenses of $37 million related to domestic pension plans and store closings and severance.

Interest Expense

We incurred $77 million and $69 million in interest expense during the second quarter of 2011 and 2010, respectively. The increase is due to higher average outstanding borrowings as a result of our $1.25 billion senior secured notes offering in October 2010, partially offset by repayment of debt by Sears Domestic and Sears Canada.

Other Income

Other income is primarily comprised of mark-to-market and settlement gains on Sears Canada hedge transactions (see Notes 3 and 4 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information regarding these transactions). Total net mark-to-market and settlement gains of $5 million were recorded on these transactions in the second quarter of both 2011 and 2010.

26-week period ended July 30, 2011 compared to the 26-week period ended July 31, 2010

Total Revenues and Comparable Store Sales

For the first half of 2011, total revenues decreased $466 million, or 2.3%, to $20.0 billion, as compared to total revenues of $20.5 billion for the first half of 2010. The decline in total revenue for the first half was primarily a result of a 2.1% decrease in domestic comparable store sales and the effect of having fewer Kmart and Sears Full-line stores in operation, in addition to a 7.4% decline in comparable store sales at Sears Canada, partially offset by an increase of $139 million due to changes in the Canadian foreign exchange rate.

The domestic comparable store sales decrease includes a decrease at Sears Domestic of 3.2% and a decrease at Kmart of 0.8%. Decreases in sales for the first half of 2011 at Sears Domestic were primarily driven by decreases in the appliances, consumer electronics and apparel categories. The Kmart decrease in comparable store sales was primarily driven by decreases in the pharmacy, lawn and garden and apparel categories.

Gross Margin

For the first half of the year, we generated gross margin of $5.3 billion in 2011 and $5.7 billion last year. The total decline in gross margin dollars of $387 million was primarily driven by decreases in gross margin rate and included an increase of $42 million related to the impact of foreign currency exchange rates on gross margin at Sears Canada and a $23 million and $2 million charge for markdowns recorded in connection with store closings announced during the first half of 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Sears Domestic’s gross margin rate declined 160 basis points mainly due to reduced margins in the home appliance category, driven primarily by increased promotional activity, including the use of instant free delivery, increased promotional markdowns in apparel and declines in home services. Kmart’s gross margin rate declined 80 basis points mainly due to increased promotional and clearance markdowns in apparel and home, as well as declines in other categories. Sears Canada’s gross margin rate declined 100 basis points mainly due to increased promotional markdowns.

 

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SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION

13 and 26 Weeks Ended July 30, 2011 and July 31, 2010

 

Selling and Administrative Expenses

For the first half of 2011, our selling and administrative expenses increased $42 million as compared to the first half in 2010. Selling and administrative expenses at Sears Canada increased $91 million from last year, and included an increase of $37 million related to the impact of foreign currency exchange rates. On a Canadian dollar basis, selling and administrative expenses increased by $54 million primarily due to increased investment in strategic projects, partially offset by reductions in payroll and advertising expenses. This increase was partially offset by reductions at Sears Domestic.

Selling and administrative expenses for 2011 include domestic pension plan expense of $37 million and store closing costs and severance of $19 million. Selling and administrative expenses for 2010 were impacted by domestic pension plan expense of $57 million and store closing costs and severance of $7 million.

Our selling and administrative expense rate was 26.0% for the first half of 2011, as compared to 25.2% for the first half of 2010, and increased primarily as a result of the above noted increase in selling and administrative expenses at Sears Canada, as well as the decline in revenues.

Gain on Sales of Assets

We recorded total gains on sales of assets for the first half of $31 million in 2011 and $53 million in 2010. Gains on sales of assets for the first half in 2011 included a gain of $21 million recognized on the sale of two stores in California operated under The Great Indoors format. Gains on sales of assets for the first half in 2010 included the recognition of a previously deferred gain on sales of assets. We sold a Sears Auto Center in October 2006, at which time we leased back the property for a period of time. Given the terms of the contract, for accounting purposes, the excess of proceeds received over the carrying value of the associated property was deferred. We closed our operations at this location during the first quarter of 2010 and, as a result, recognized a gain of $35 million on this sale at that time.

Operating Income/Loss

We reported an operating loss for the first half of $351 million in 2011 and operating income for the first half of $103 million in 2010. The decline in operating income of $454 million was primarily the result of a decline in our gross margin dollars, given lower overall sales and a decline in our gross margin rate of 130 basis points. Holdings’ operating loss for the first half of 2011 includes above-noted expenses of $87 million related to domestic pension plans and store closings and severance, as well as a gain on sale of assets of $21 million. Our operating income for the first half of 2010 includes above-noted expenses of $66 million related to domestic pension plans and store closings and severance, as well as a gain on sale of assets of $35 million.

Interest Expense

We incurred $157 million and $136 million in interest expense during the first half of 2011 and 2010, respectively. The increase is due to higher average outstanding borrowing as a result of our $1.25 billion senior secured notes offering in October 2010, partially offset by repayment of debt by Sears Domestic and Sears Canada.

Other Loss

Other loss is primarily comprised of mark-to-market and settlement losses on Sears Canada hedge transactions (see Notes 3 and 4 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information regarding these transactions). Total net mark-to-market and settlement losses of $7 million and $9 million were recorded on these transactions in the first half of 2011 and 2010, respectively.

 

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13 and 26 Weeks Ended July 30, 2011 and July 31, 2010

 

Income Tax Benefit

Our effective tax benefit rate for the first half was a benefit of 35.2% in 2011 and a benefit of 19.0% in 2010. The increase in our tax benefit rate was primarily due to the increase in our loss before income taxes in 2011.

SEGMENT OPERATIONS

The following discussion of our business segment results is organized into three reportable segments: Kmart, Sears Domestic and Sears Canada.

Kmart

Kmart results and key statistics were as follows:

 

     13 Weeks Ended     26 Weeks Ended  
millions, except number of stores    July 30,
2011
    July 31,
2010
    July 30,
2011
    July 31,
2010
 

Merchandise sales and services

   $ 3,624      $ 3,630      $ 7,103      $ 7,213   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cost of sales, buying and occupancy

     2,799        2,746        5,433        5,457   

Gross margin dollars

     825        884        1,670        1,756   

Gross margin rate

     22.8     24.4     23.5     24.3

Selling and administrative

     809        830        1,598        1,612   

Selling and administrative expense as a percentage of total revenues

     22.3     22.9     22.5     22.3

Depreciation and amortization

     37        36        74        72   

Gain on sales of assets

     (5     (1     (7     (6
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total costs and expenses

     3,640        3,611        7,098        7,135   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

   $ (16   $ 19      $ 5      $ 78   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

   $ 26      $ 57      $ 82      $ 148   

Number of stores

         1,304        1,309   

13-week period ended July 30, 2011 compared to the 13-week period ended July 31, 2010

Total Revenues and Comparable Store Sales

For the quarter, Kmart’s total sales decreased by $6 million, while comparable store sales were flat. The decline in revenue was primarily due to the impact of Kmart having fewer stores in operation during the second quarter of 2011. Comparable store sales included increases in several categories, such as outdoor living, grocery and household, tools, appliances and footwear, which were offset by decreases in the consumer electronics, pharmacy and drug categories.

Gross Margin

For the quarter, Kmart generated $825 million in gross margin in 2011 and $884 million in 2010. The decrease in gross margin dollars of $59 million was primarily driven by a decline in the gross margin rate during the second quarter of 2011 and included charges of $7 million for markdowns recorded in connection with store closings announced during the second quarter of 2011. No store closings were announced during the second quarter of 2010.

Kmart’s gross margin rate for the quarter was 22.8% in 2011 and 24.4% in 2010. The decline of 160 basis points was mainly due to increased promotional and clearance markdowns in apparel and home, as well as declines in other categories.

 

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SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION

13 and 26 Weeks Ended July 30, 2011 and July 31, 2010

 

Selling and Administrative Expenses

For the quarter, Kmart’s selling and administrative expenses decreased $21 million as compared to the second quarter in 2010, due primarily to reductions in advertising and insurance expenses. Selling and administrative expenses included store closing costs and severance of $3 million in both 2011 and 2010.

Kmart’s selling and administrative expense rate for the quarter was 22.3% in 2011 and 22.9% in 2010.

Operating Income/Loss

For the quarter, Kmart recorded an operating loss of $16 million in 2011 and operating income of $19 million in 2010. The decrease in Kmart’s operating income was primarily the result of a decline in gross margin dollars, driven by a decline in the gross margin rate and revenues, partially offset by a decrease in selling and administrative expenses. Kmart’s operating income for the second quarter included expenses related to store closing costs and severance of $10 million in 2011 and $3 million in 2010.

26-week period ended July 30, 2011 compared to the 26-week period ended July 31, 2010

Total Revenues and Comparable Store Sales

For the first half of 2011, Kmart’s total sales decreased by $110 million, while comparable store sales decreased 0.8%. The decline in revenue was also due to the impact of Kmart having fewer stores in operation during the first half of 2011. The decrease in comparable store sales was primarily driven by decreases in the pharmacy, lawn and garden and apparel categories.

Gross Margin

For the first half of the year, Kmart generated $1.7 billion in gross margin in 2011 and $1.8 billion in 2010. The $86 million decrease was primarily due to a decline in the gross margin rate during the first half of 2011 and included charges of $7 million and $1 million for markdowns recorded in connection with store closings announced during the first half of 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Kmart’s gross margin rate for the first half of the year was 23.5% in 2011 and 24.3% in 2010. The decline of 80 basis points was mainly due to increased promotional and clearance markdowns in apparel and home, as well as declines in other categories.

Selling and Administrative Expenses

For the first half of the year, Kmart’s selling and administrative expenses decreased $14 million as compared to the first half in 2010. Selling and administrative expenses were impacted by store closing costs and severance of $3 million in both 2011 and 2010. The decrease primarily reflects a reduction in insurance expense of $14 million and a decrease in advertising expense of $8 million, as well as declines in a number of other expense categories, partially offset by an increase in payroll and benefits expense of $16 million.

Kmart’s selling and administrative expense rate for the first half of the year was 22.5% in 2011 and 22.3% in 2010, and increased in 2011 primarily as a result of Kmart’s decline in revenues.

Operating Income

For the first half of 2011, Kmart recorded operating income of $5 million, as compared to operating income of $78 million for the first half of 2010. The decrease in Kmart’s operating income was primarily the result of a

 

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13 and 26 Weeks Ended July 30, 2011 and July 31, 2010

 

decline in gross margin dollars, driven by the decline in the gross margin rate and revenues, partially offset by a decrease in selling and administrative expenses. Kmart’s operating income for the first half includes expenses related to store closing costs and severance of $10 million in 2011 and $4 million in 2010.

Sears Domestic

Sears Domestic results and key statistics were as follows:

 

     13 Weeks Ended     26 Weeks Ended  
millions, except number of stores    July 30,
2011
    July 31,
2010
    July 30,
2011
    July 31,
2010
 

Merchandise sales and services

   $ 5,534      $ 5,674      $ 10,746      $ 11,109   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cost of sales, buying and occupancy

     4,048        4,084        7,792        7,873   

Gross margin dollars

     1,486        1,590        2,954        3,236   

Gross margin rate

     26.9     28.0     27.5     29.1

Selling and administrative

     1,509        1,503        2,976        3,011   

Selling and administrative expense as a percentage of total revenues

     27.3     26.5     27.7     27.1

Depreciation and amortization

     164        160        320        320   

Gain on sales of assets

     (24     (8     (24     (47
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total costs and expenses

     5,697        5,739        11,064        11,157   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating loss

   $ (163   $ (65   $ (318   $ (48
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

   $ 25      $ 121      $ 47      $ 287   

Number of :

        

Full-line Stores (1 )

         884        897   

Specialty Stores

         1,370        1,335   
      

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Domestic Sears Stores

         2,254        2,232   

 

(1)  

The period ended July 30, 2011 includes 837 Full-line stores and 47 Sears Essentials/Grand stores;

The period ended July 31, 2010 includes 842 Full-line stores and 55 Sears Essentials/Grand stores

13-week period ended July 30, 2011 compared to the 13-week period ended July 31, 2010

Total Revenues and Comparable Store Sales

For the quarter, Sears Domestic’s total sales decreased by $140 million, while comparable store sales decreased 1.2%. The decline in revenue is mainly due to a decline in comparable store sales and the impact of having fewer Sears Full-line stores in operation. The decrease in comparable store sales was primarily driven by the consumer electronics category.

Gross Margin

For the quarter, Sears Domestic generated gross margin dollars of $1.5 billion in 2011 and $1.6 billion in 2010. The decrease of $104 million was mainly a result of a decline in the gross margin rate during the second quarter of 2011 and included charges of $15 million for markdowns recorded in connection with store closings announced during the second quarter of 2011. No store closings were announced during the second quarter of 2010.

Sears Domestic’s gross margin rate during the second quarter was 26.9% in 2011 and 28.0% in 2010. The decline of 110 basis points was mainly due to reduced margins in the home appliance category, driven primarily by increased promotional activity, including the use of instant free delivery, increased promotional markdowns in apparel and declines in home services.

 

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13 and 26 Weeks Ended July 30, 2011 and July 31, 2010

 

Selling and Administrative Expenses

For the quarter, Sears Domestic’s selling and administrative expenses increased $6 million. The increase is mainly due to increases of $19 million in payroll and benefit expenses, $14 million in Home Services selling and administrative expenses, $9 million in insurance expenses and $9 million in other expense categories, partially offset by a decline of $43 million in advertising expenses. Selling and administrative expenses for the second quarter of 2011 were also impacted by domestic pension plan expense of $18 million and store closing costs and severance of $15 million. Selling and administrative expenses for the second quarter of 2010 were also impacted by domestic pension plan expense of $31 million and store closing costs and severance of $3 million.

Sears Domestic’s selling and administrative expense rate for the quarter was 27.3% in 2011 and 26.5% in 2010, and increased primarily due to the above noted declines in sales.

Operating Loss

For the quarter, Sears Domestic reported an operating loss of $163 million in 2011 and $65 million in 2010. Sears Domestic’s operating loss increased primarily as a result of lower gross margin dollars, driven by a decline in gross margin rate and revenues, and an increase in selling and administrative expenses. Sears Domestic’s operating loss for the second quarter included expenses related to domestic pension plans and store closing costs and severance of $56 million in 2011 and $34 million in 2010.

26-week period ended July 30, 2011 compared to the 26-week period ended July 31, 2010

Total Revenues and Comparable Store Sales

For the first half of the year, Sears Domestic’s total sales decreased by $363 million to $10.7 billion, while comparable store sales decreased 3.2%. The decline in revenue is mainly due to the decrease in comparable store sales, as well as the impact of having fewer Sears Full-line stores in operation. The decrease in comparable store sales was primarily driven by decreases in the appliances, consumer electronics and apparel categories.

Gross Margin

For the first half of the year, Sears Domestic generated $3.0 billion in gross margin dollars in 2011 and $3.2 billion in 2010. The decrease of $282 million was mainly a result of a decline in Sears Domestic’s gross margin rate during the first half of 2011 and included charges of $16 million taken to markdown inventory in connection with store closings. Gross margin for the first half of fiscal 2010 included a $1 million charge for markdowns recorded in connection with store closings.

Sears Domestic’s gross margin rate during the first half of the year was 27.5% in 2011 and 29.1% in 2010. The decline of 160 basis points was mainly due to reduced margins in the home appliance category, driven primarily by increased promotional activity, including the use of instant free delivery, increased promotional markdowns in apparel and declines in home services.

Selling and Administrative Expenses

For the first half of the year, Sears Domestic’s selling and administrative expenses decreased $35 million. The decrease is mainly due to a decline of $59 million in advertising expenses and $7 million in payroll expenses, partially offset by a $29 million increase in Home Services selling and administrative expenses. Selling and administrative expenses included domestic pension plan expense of $37 million in 2011 and $57 million in 2010 and store closing costs and severance of $16 million in 2011 and $4 million in 2010.

 

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SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION

13 and 26 Weeks Ended July 30, 2011 and July 31, 2010

 

Sears Domestic’s selling and administrative expense rate for the first half was 27.7% in 2011 and 27.1% in 2010, and increased primarily due to the above noted declines in sales.

Gain on Sales of Assets

Sears Domestic recorded total gains on sales of assets for the first half of the year of $24 million in 2011 and $47 million in 2010. The gains on sales of assets in 2011 include a gain of $21 million recognized on the sale of two stores in California operated under The Great Indoors format. The gains on sales of assets in 2010 is due to the recognition of a previously deferred gain from the October 2006 sale of one of our Sears Auto Centers. At the time of the sale, we leased back the property for a period of time. Given the terms of the contract, for accounting purposes, the excess of proceeds received over the carrying value of the associated property was deferred. We closed our operations at this location during the first quarter of 2010 and, as a result, recognized a gain of $35 million on this sale at that time.

Operating Loss

For the first half of the year, Sears Domestic reported an operating loss of $318 million in 2011 and $48 million in 2010. The increase in Sears Domestic’s operating loss was primarily the result of lower gross margin dollars, driven by a decline in gross margin rate and revenues, partially offset by a reduction in selling and administrative expenses. Sears Domestic’s operating loss for the first half includes expenses related to domestic pension plans and store closing costs and severance of $77 million in 2011 and $62 million in 2010.

Sears Canada

Sears Canada, a consolidated, 94%-owned subsidiary of Sears, conducts similar retail operations as Sears Domestic. Sears Canada results and key statistics were as follows:

 

     13 Weeks Ended     26 Weeks Ended  
millions, except number of stores    July 30,
2011
    July 31,
2010
    July 30,
2011
    July 31,
2010
 

Merchandise sales and services

   $ 1,175      $ 1,154      $ 2,189      $ 2,182   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cost of sales, buying and occupancy

     821        805        1,547        1,521   

Gross margin dollars

     354        349        642        661   

Gross margin rate

     30.1     30.2     29.3     30.3

Selling and administrative

     326        273        629        538   

Selling and administrative expense as a percentage of total revenues

     27.7     23.7     28.7     24.7

Depreciation and amortization

     26        25        51        50   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total costs and expenses

     1,173        1,103        2,227        2,109   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

   $ 2      $ 51      $ (38   $ 73   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

   $ 28      $ 76      $ 13      $ 123   

Number of :

        

Full-line Stores

         122        122   

Specialty Stores

         373        316   
      

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Sears Canada Stores

         495        438   
      

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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13 and 26 Weeks Ended July 30, 2011 and July 31, 2010

 

13-week period ended July 30, 2011 compared to the 13-week period ended July 31, 2010

Total Revenues

Sears Canada’s total revenues increased $21 million for the second quarter of 2011, as compared to the same period last year and included an $86 million increase due to the impact of exchange rates during the quarter. On a Canadian dollar basis, revenues decreased by $65 million, due to a 5.8% decline in comparable store sales driven by weaker consumer spending in Canada and aggressive competition, the effects of the strong Canadian dollar motivating consumers to cross-border shop and higher cost of staples such as fuel and food, which have cut into Canadian discretionary income.

Gross Margin

Total gross margin dollars for the second quarter increased $5 million in 2011 and includes a $26 million increase due to the impact of exchange rates during the quarter. Gross margin decreased $21 million on a Canadian dollar basis as a result of a decline in revenues, due mainly to industry wide price compression as well as increased promotional and clearance activity to drive sales in the challenging retail environment. For the quarter, Sears Canada’s gross margin rate declined 10 basis points to 30.1%, from 30.2% in 2010.

Selling and Administrative Expenses

For the second quarter of 2011, Sears Canada’s selling and administrative expenses increased $53 million, including an increase of $22 million due to the impact of exchange rates. On a Canadian dollar basis, selling and administrative expenses increased by $31 million primarily due to increased investment in strategic projects, partially offset by reductions in payroll and advertising expenses.

Sears Canada’s selling and administrative expense rate for the quarter was 27.7% in 2011 and 23.7% in 2010, and increased primarily due to the above noted increase in expenses.

Operating Income

Sears Canada recorded operating income of $2 million in 2011 and $51 million in 2010. The $49 million decline in operating income primarily reflects the above noted declines, on a Canadian dollar basis, in sales and gross margin, and the increase in selling and administrative expenses.

26-week period ended July 30, 2011 compared to the 26-week period ended July 31, 2010

Total Revenues

Sears Canada’s total revenues increased $7 million for the first half of 2011, as compared to the same period last year and included a $139 million increase due to the impact of exchange rates during the first half of 2011. On a Canadian dollar basis, revenues decreased by $132 million, due to a 7.4% decline in comparable store sales driven by weaker consumer spending in Canada and aggressive competition, the effects of the strong Canadian dollar motivating consumers to cross-border shop and higher cost of staples such as fuel and food, which have cut into Canadian discretionary income.

Gross Margin

Total gross margin dollars for the first half of 2011 decreased $19 million and include a $42 million increase due to the impact of exchange rates during this period. Gross margin decreased $61 million on a Canadian dollar basis primarily as a result of a decline in revenues due mainly to industry wide price compression as well as

 

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increased promotional and clearance activity to drive sales in the challenging retail environment. For the first half of 2011, Sears Canada’s gross margin rate decreased 100 basis points to 29.3%, from 30.3% in 2010 mainly due to increased promotional markdowns.

Selling and Administrative Expenses

For the first half of 2011, Sears Canada’s selling and administrative expenses increased $91 million, and include an increase of $37 million due to the impact of exchange rates. On a Canadian dollar basis, selling and administrative expenses increased by $54 million primarily due to increased investment in strategic projects, partially offset by reductions in payroll and advertising expenses.

Sears Canada’s selling and administrative expense rate for the first half of the year was 28.7% in 2011 and 24.7% in 2010, and increased primarily due to the above noted increase in expenses.

Operating Income/Loss

Sears Canada recorded an operating loss of $38 million in 2011 and operating income of $73 million in 2010. The $111 million decrease in operating income primarily reflects the above noted declines, on a Canadian dollar basis, in sales, gross margin, and the increase in selling and administrative expenses.

ANALYSIS OF CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL CONDITION

Cash Balances

Our cash and cash equivalents include all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase. Our cash balances as of July 30, 2011, July 31, 2010 and January 29, 2011 are detailed in the following table.

 

millions    July 30,
2011
     July 31,
2010
     January 29,
2011
 

Domestic

        

Cash and equivalents

   $ 250       $ 305       $ 465   

Cash posted as collateral

     21         10         325   

Credit card deposits in transit

     206         187         169   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total domestic cash and cash equivalents

     477         502         959   

Sears Canada

     181         691         416   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total cash and cash equivalents

     658         1,193         1,375   

Restricted cash

     21         6         15   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total cash balances

   $ 679       $ 1,199       $ 1,390   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

We had total cash balances of $679 million at July 30, 2011, $1.2 billion at July 31, 2010 and $1.4 billion at January 29, 2011. Primary uses of cash during the first half of 2011 include $199 million for capital expenditures, $154 million for share repurchases, contributions to our pension and post-retirement benefit plans of $143 million, and working capital increases. These uses of cash were funded in part by an increase in short-term borrowings of $567 million reduced by long-term debt repayments of $497 million.

At various times, we have posted cash collateral for certain outstanding letters of credit and self-insurance programs. Such cash collateral is classified within cash and cash equivalents given we have the ability to substitute letters of credit at any time for this cash collateral and it is therefore readily available to us.

 

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Credit card deposits in transit include deposits in-transit from banks for payments related to third-party credit card and debit card transactions.

Restricted cash consists of cash related to Sears Canada’s balances, which have been pledged as collateral for letters of credit obligations issued under its offshore merchandise purchasing program and with counterparties related to outstanding derivative contracts, as well as funds held in trust in accordance with regulatory requirements governing advance ticket sales related to Sears Canada’s travel business.

We classify outstanding checks in excess of funds on deposit within other current liabilities and reduce cash balances when these checks clear the bank on which they were drawn. Outstanding checks in excess of funds on deposit were $100 million, $91 million and $122 million as of July 30, 2011, July 31, 2010 and January 29, 2011, respectively.

Operating Activities

During the first half of 2011, Holdings used $467 million of cash in its operations compared to $190 million used in the first half of 2010. Our primary source of operating cash flows is the sale of goods and services to customers, while the primary use of cash in operations is the purchase of merchandise inventories. We used more cash in operations in the first half of 2011 than the first half last year mainly as a result of an increase in our net loss and an increase in contributions to our pension and post-retirement benefit plans.

Merchandise inventories were $9.4 billion at both July 30, 2011 and July 31, 2010. Merchandise payables were $3.3 billion at July 30, 2011 and $3.7 billion as of July 31, 2010. Our Domestic inventory balances decreased approximately $75 million from $8.6 billion at July 31, 2010. The decrease was primarily at Sears Domestic and was due to decreases in the consumer electronics, appliances and home categories. These decreases were partially offset by increased apparel inventory at both Lands’ End and Kmart. Sears Canada’s inventory levels increased approximately $70 million from July 31, 2010 to $872 million at July 30, 2011 primarily due to the change in exchange rates.

Investing Activities

For the first half of 2011, we used $199 million of cash for capital expenditures compared to $168 million used during the first half of 2010. For the first half of 2011, we also used $5 million of cash as a result of changes in restricted cash requirements at Sears Canada compared to cash received of $9 million in the first half of 2010. These uses of cash were partially offset by proceeds from the sales of property of $42 million in the first half of 2011 compared to $16 million during the first half of 2010.

Financing Activities

During the 26-week period ended July 30, 2011, we repurchased 2.0 million of our common shares at a total cost of $154 million under our share repurchase program. At July 30, 2011, we had $533 million of remaining authorization under our common share repurchase program. The share repurchase program, authorized by our Board of Directors, has no stated expiration date and share repurchases may be implemented using a variety of methods, which may include open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions, block trades, accelerated share repurchase transactions, the purchase of call options, the sale of put options or otherwise, or by any combination of such methods. During the 26-week period ended July 31, 2010, we repurchased 3.6 million of our common shares at a total cost of $273 million under our share repurchase program. We have repurchased approximately 57.7 million of our common shares at a total cost of $6.0 billion since the third quarter of 2005, when Holdings’ repurchase plan was first approved.

 

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During the first quarter of 2010, we increased our controlling interest in Sears Canada to 90%, from 73%, by acquiring approximately 19 million common shares. We paid a total of $560 million for the additional shares and accounted for the acquisition of additional interest in Sears Canada as an equity transaction in accordance with accounting standards on noncontrolling interests.

During the first quarter of 2010, Sears Canada announced that its Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $3.50 Canadian per common share, or approximately $377 million Canadian. The dividend was paid during the second quarter of 2010 to shareholders of record at the close of business on May 31, 2010. Accordingly, Sears Canada paid $34 million to minority shareholders during the second quarter of 2010 in connection with the dividend.

During the first half of 2011, short-term borrowings increased by $567 million, while long-term debt decreased by $497 million. During the first half of 2010, we made repayments on long-term debt of $228 million. We borrowed $703 million under our Original Domestic Credit Agreement during the first half of 2010 to meet seasonal working capital needs while, at the same time, continuing to invest in our businesses, repurchase our stock, make payments on our term debt and complete our acquisition of additional noncontrolling interest in Sears Canada.

Our outstanding borrowings as of July 30, 2011, July 31, 2010 and January 29, 2011 were as follows:

 

millions    July 30,
2011
     July 31,
2010
     January 29,
2011
 

Short-term borrowings:

        

Unsecured commercial paper

   $ 388       $ 396       $ 360   

Secured borrowings

     539         822         —     

Long-term debt, including current portion:

        

Notes and debentures outstanding

     2,151         1,352         2,575   

Capitalized lease obligations

     561         616         597   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total borrowings

   $ 3,639       $ 3,186       $ 3,532   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liquidity

Our primary need for liquidity is to fund working capital requirements of our businesses, capital expenditures and general corporate purposes, including debt repayment, pension plan contributions and common share repurchases. We believe that these needs will be adequately funded by our operating cash flows, credit terms received from vendors and borrowings under our credit agreements (described below). See our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 29, 2011 for additional information regarding our sources of liquidity.

Debt Ratings

Our corporate family debt ratings at July 30, 2011 appear in the table below:

 

   

Moody’s
Investors Service

  

Standard & Poor’s
Ratings Services

  

Fitch Ratings

  Ba3    B+    B

Unsecured Commercial Paper

We borrow through the commercial paper markets. At July 30, 2011, we had outstanding commercial paper borrowings of $388 million, of which $240 million were held by ESL Investments, Inc. (together with its

 

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affiliated funds, “ESL”), including $120 million held by ESL for the benefit of Edward S. Lampert. See Note 14 for further discussion of these borrowings.

Domestic Credit Agreement

During the first quarter of 2011, we increased the borrowing capacity and extended the maturity date of our domestic credit agreement (the “Original Domestic Credit Agreement”) by entering into an amended credit agreement (the “Amended Domestic Credit Agreement”). The Amended Domestic Credit Agreement increased the borrowing capacity of the facility to $3.275 billion from $2.4 billion and extended its expiration date to April 2016 from June 2012.

The Amended Domestic Credit Agreement also revised certain terms of the credit facility. Advances continue to bear interest at a rate equal to, at the election of the Borrowers, either the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) or a base rate, in either case plus an applicable margin. The amended facility’s interest rates for LIBOR-based borrowings vary based on leverage in the range of LIBOR plus 2.0% to 2.5%, compared to LIBOR plus 4.0% with a 1.75% LIBOR floor under the Original Domestic Credit Agreement. Interest rates for base rate-based borrowings vary based on leverage in the range of the applicable base rate plus 1.0% to 1.5%, compared to the applicable base rate plus 3.0% under the Original Domestic Credit Agreement. Commitment fees have also been reduced to a range of 0.375% to 0.625% based on usage from the previous range of 0.75% to 1.00%.

The Amended Domestic Credit Agreement continues to include a $1.5 billion letter of credit sub-limit and an accordion feature that gives us the flexibility, subject to certain terms and conditions, to use the existing collateral under the credit facility to obtain an aggregate amount of up to $1.0 billion in additional borrowing capacity if we so choose. The Amended Domestic Credit Agreement is in place as a funding source for general corporate purposes and is an asset based revolving credit facility under which Sears Roebuck Acceptance Corp. (“SRAC”) and Kmart Corporation are the borrowers. The Amended Domestic Credit Agreement is secured by a first lien on most of our domestic inventory and credit card and pharmacy receivables, and determines availability pursuant to a borrowing base formula.

The Amended Domestic Credit Agreement limits our ability to make restricted payments, including dividends and share repurchases, if availability under the credit facility, as defined, is less than 15%. It also imposes various other requirements, which take effect if availability falls below designated thresholds, including a cash dominion requirement and a requirement that the fixed charge ratio at the last day of any quarter be not less than 1.0 to 1.0.

At July 30, 2011, we had $539 million of borrowings and $550 million of letters of credit outstanding under the Amended Domestic Credit Agreement. As a result, our availability under the agreement was $2.2 billion at July 30, 2011. The majority of the letters of credit outstanding are used to provide collateral for our insurance programs.

Senior Secured Notes

In October 2010, we sold $1 billion aggregate principal amount of senior secured notes (the “Notes”), which bear interest at 6 5/8% per annum and mature on October 15, 2018. Concurrent with the closing of the sale of the Notes, the Company sold $250 million aggregate principal amount of Notes to the Company’s domestic pension plan in a private placement. The Notes are guaranteed by certain subsidiaries of the Company and are secured by a security interest in certain assets consisting primarily of domestic inventory and credit card receivables (the “Collateral”). The lien that secures the Notes is junior in priority to the lien on such assets that secures obligations under the Amended Domestic Credit Agreement, as well as certain other first priority lien obligations. The Company used the net proceeds of this offering to repay borrowings outstanding under the Original Domestic Credit Agreement on the settlement date and to fund the working capital requirements of our

 

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retail businesses, capital expenditures and for general corporate purposes. The indenture under which the Notes were issued contains restrictive covenants that, among other things, (1) limit the ability of the Company and certain of its domestic subsidiaries to create liens and enter into sale and leaseback transactions and (2) limit the ability of the Company to consolidate with or merge into, or sell other than for cash or lease all or substantially all of its assets to, another person. The indenture also provides for certain events of default, which, if any were to occur, would permit or require the principal and accrued and unpaid interest on all the then outstanding notes to be due and payable immediately. Generally, the Company is required to offer to repurchase all outstanding Notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount if the borrowing base (as calculated pursuant to the indenture) falls below the principal value of the notes plus any other indebtedness for borrowed money that is secured by liens on the Collateral for two consecutive quarters or upon the occurrence of certain change of control triggering events. The Company may call the Notes at a premium based on the “Treasury Rate” as defined in the indenture, plus 50 basis points. We have commenced an offer to exchange the Notes held by nonaffiliates for a new issue of substantially identical notes registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Sears Canada Credit Agreement

In September 2010, Sears Canada entered into a five-year, $800 million Canadian senior secured revolving credit facility (the “Sears Canada Facility”). The Sears Canada Facility is available for Sears Canada’s general corporate purposes and is secured by a first lien on substantially all of Sears Canada’s non-real estate assets. Availability under the Sears Canada Facility is determined pursuant to a borrowing base formula based on inventory and account and credit card receivables, subject to certain limitations. At July 30, 2011, we had no borrowings outstanding under the Sears Canada Facility. Availability under this agreement was approximately $693 million ($662 million Canadian) at July 30, 2011.

Letters of Credit Facility

On January 20, 2011, we and certain of our subsidiaries entered into a letter of credit facility (the “LC Facility”) with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (“Wells Fargo”), pursuant to which Wells Fargo may, on a discretionary basis and with no commitment, agree to issue standby letters of credit upon our request in an aggregate amount not to exceed $500 million for general corporate purposes. Any letters of credit issued under the LC Facility are secured by a first priority lien on cash placed on deposit at Wells Fargo pursuant to a pledge and security agreement in an amount equal to 103% of the face value of all issued and outstanding letters of credit. The LC Facility has a term ending on January 20, 2014, unless terminated sooner pursuant to its terms. Wells Fargo may, in its sole discretion, terminate the LC Facility at any time. On July 30, 2011, we had no letters of credit outstanding under the facility. We may replace any letters of credit issued under our LC Facility with letters of credit issued under the Amended Domestic Credit Agreement and as such, any cash collateral is considered unrestricted cash.

Domestic Pension Plan Funding

In our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 29, 2011, we disclosed that we expected our contributions to our domestic pension plans to increase to approximately $340 million in 2011 and then to $320 million in 2012, though the ultimate amount of pension contributions could be affected by further changes in the applicable regulations and financial market and investment performance.

Critical Accounting Policies

Our critical accounting policies are described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 29, 2011 as supplemented by the following paragraph.

 

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Goodwill

The Company performs its annual goodwill impairment tests as of November 30, or more frequently if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying value. As part of its interim review for indicators of impairment, management analyzed potential changes in value of individual reporting units based on each reporting unit’s operating results for the six months ended July 30, 2011 compared to expected results as of November 30, 2010. In addition, management considered how other key assumptions, including discount rates and expected long-term growth rates, used in last year’s impairment analysis, could be impacted by changes in market conditions, economic events and reporting unit operating results. Based on this interim assessment, management concluded that as of July 30, 2011, no events or changes in circumstances indicated that it was more likely than not that the fair value for any reporting unit had declined below its carrying value. Significant changes in global economic conditions and reporting unit operating results could result in changes to expectations of future financial results and key valuation assumptions. These changes could result in revisions of management’s estimates of the fair value of the Company’s reporting units and could result in a review for impairment of goodwill prior to November 30, 2011, the Company’s next annual measurement date. Any required interim impairment reviews could result in a material goodwill impairment charge.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

See Part I, Item 1, “Financial Statements – Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements,” Note 13 – “Recent Accounting Pronouncements,” for information regarding new accounting pronouncements.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

Certain statements made in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and in other public announcements by us contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include information concerning our future financial performance, business strategy, plans, goals and objectives. Statements preceded or followed by, or that otherwise include, the words “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “estimates,” “plans,” “forecast,” “is likely to” and similar expressions or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “may” and “could” are generally forward-looking in nature and not historical facts. Such statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of Holdings’ management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially 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: our ability to offer merchandise and services that our customers want, including our proprietary brand products; our ability to successfully implement initiatives to improve inventory management and other capabilities; competitive conditions in the retail and related services industries; worldwide economic conditions and business uncertainty, including the impact of rising fuel prices, the availability of consumer and commercial credit, changes in consumer confidence, tastes, preferences and spending, and changes in vendor relationships, including the impact of increases in the cost of raw materials experienced by certain of our vendors; the impact of seasonal buying patterns, including seasonal fluctuations due to weather conditions, which are difficult to forecast with certainty; our dependence on sources outside the United States for significant amounts of our merchandise; our extensive reliance on computer systems to process transactions, summarize results and manage our business; our reliance on third parties to provide us with services in connection with the administration of certain aspects of our business; impairment charges for goodwill and intangible assets or fixed-asset impairment for long-lived assets; our ability to properly implement and realize the expected benefits from

 

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our organizational structure and operating model; our ability to attract, motivate and retain key executives and other associates; the outcome of pending and/or future legal proceedings, including product liability claims and bankruptcy claims, including proceedings with respect to which the parties have reached a preliminary settlement; and the timing and amount of required pension plan funding.

Certain of these and other factors are discussed in more detail in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Sears Holdings Corporation for the fiscal year ended January 29, 2011, which may be accessed through the Commission’s website at www.sec.gov.

While we believe that our forecasts and assumptions are reasonable, we caution that actual results may differ materially. We intend the forward-looking statements to speak only as of the time made and do not undertake to update or revise them as more information becomes available.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

We face market risk exposure in the form of interest rate risk and foreign currency risk. These market risks arise from our derivative financial instruments and debt obligations.

Interest Rate Risk

We manage interest rate risk through the use of fixed and variable-rate funding and interest rate derivatives. All debt securities and interest-rate derivative instruments are considered non-trading. At July 30, 2011, 33% of our debt portfolio was variable rate. Based on the size of this variable rate debt portfolio at July 30, 2011, which totaled approximately $1 billion, an immediate 100 basis point change in interest rates would have affected annual pretax funding costs by $12 million. These estimates do not take into account the effect on income resulting from invested cash or the returns on assets being funded. These estimates also assume that the variable rate funding portfolio remains constant for an annual period and that the interest rate change occurs at the beginning of the period.

Foreign Currency Risk

At July 30, 2011, we had a foreign currency forward contract outstanding, totaling $629 million Canadian notional value and with a weighted average remaining life of one year, designed to hedge our net investment in Sears Canada against adverse changes in exchange rates. The fair value of the forward contract at July 30, 2011 was negative $9 million. A hypothetical 1% adverse movement in the level of the Canadian exchange rate relative to the U.S. dollar at July 30, 2011, with all other variables held constant, would have resulted in a fair value of this contract of approximately negative $15 million at July 30, 2011, a decrease of $6 million. Certain of our currency forward contracts require collateral be posted in the event our liability under such contracts reaches a predetermined threshold. Cash collateral posted under these contracts is recorded as part of our accounts receivable balance. We had $12 million of cash collateral posted under our contract at July 30, 2011.

Sears Canada mitigates the risk of currency fluctuations on offshore merchandise purchases denominated in U.S. currency by purchasing U.S. dollar denominated collar contracts for a portion of its expected requirements. As of July 30, 2011, these contracts had a notional value of approximately $181 million and a weighted average remaining life of 0.2 years. The aggregate fair value of the collar contracts at July 30, 2011 was negative $10 million. A hypothetical 1% adverse movement in the level of the Canadian exchange rate relative to the U.S. dollar as of July 30, 2011, with all other variables held constant, would have resulted in a fair value for these contracts of approximately negative $12 million as of July 30, 2011, a decrease of $2 million.

 

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Counterparties

We actively manage the risk of nonpayment by our derivative counterparties by limiting our exposure to individual counterparties based on credit ratings, value at risk and maturities. The counterparties to these instruments are major financial institutions with credit ratings of single-A or better. In certain cases, counterparty risk is also managed through the use of collateral in the form of cash or U.S. government securities.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Our management, with the participation of our principal executive and financial officers, conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), as of the end of the period covered by this report (the “Evaluation Date”). Based on this evaluation, the principal executive and financial officers concluded that, as of the Evaluation Date, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act (i) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and (ii) is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive and financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

In addition, based on that evaluation, no changes in our internal control over financial reporting have occurred during our last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

Item 103 of SEC Regulation S-K requires that we disclose legal proceedings to which the Company and a governmental authority is a party and that arise under laws dealing with the discharge of materials into the environment or the protection of the environment, if the proceeding reasonably involves potential monetary sanctions of $100,000 or more. Disclosure also is required as to any such proceedings known by us to be contemplated by governmental authorities. In that connection, we note that our Orchard Supply Hardware subsidiary (“OSH”) has received a notice of violation from the California South Coast Air Quality Management District (“SCAQMD”) alleging that OSH stores that are located in the SCAQMD jurisdiction sold architectural coating products that exceed the current SCAQMD limitations on volatile organic compounds. The parties are currently negotiating toward a resolution of this matter.

See Part I, Item 1, “Financial Statements – Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements,” Note 12 – “Legal Proceedings,” for additional information regarding legal proceedings, which information is incorporated herein by this reference.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

The following table provides information about shares of common stock we acquired during the second quarter of 2011. During the 13 weeks ended July 30, 2011, we repurchased 0.8 million of our common shares at a total cost of $53 million under our common share repurchase program. As of July 30, 2011, we had $533 million of remaining authorization under the program.

 

     Total
Number of
Shares
Purchased (1)
     Average
Price Paid
per Share
     Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of  Publicly
Announced
Program (2)
     Average
Price Paid
per Share
for
Publicly
Announced
Program
     Approximate
Dollar Value of
Shares that May
Yet Be Purchased
Under the Program
 

May 1, 2011 to May 28, 2011

     243,104       $ 70.87         239,793       $ 70.66      

May 29, 2011 to July 2, 2011

     537,058         67.83         533,980         67.80      

July 3, 2011 to July 30, 2011

     —           —           —           —        
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     780,162       $ 68.77         773,773       $ 68.69       $ 533,018,085   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)  

Includes 6,389 shares acquired from associates to meet withholding tax requirements from the vesting of restricted stock. These shares were acquired during the quarter as follows:

 

May 1, 2011 to May 28, 2011

     3,311   

May 29, 2011 to July 2, 2011

     3,078   

July 3, 2011 to July 30, 2011

     —     
  

 

 

 

Total

     6,389   
  

 

 

 

 

(2)

Our common share repurchase program was initially announced on September 14, 2005 and has a total authorization since inception of the program of $6.5 billion, including the authorizations to purchase up to an additional $500 million of common stock on each of December 17, 2009 and May 2, 2011. The program has no stated expiration date.

The Amended Domestic Credit Agreement limits our ability to make restricted payments, including dividends and share repurchases, if availability under the credit facility, as defined, is less than 15%. It also imposes various

 

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other requirements, which take effect if availability falls below designated thresholds, including a cash dominion requirement and a requirement that the fixed charge ratio at the last day of any quarter be not less than 1.0 to 1.0.

Item 5. Other Information

On August 16, 2011, the Board of Directors of Sears Holdings Corporation (the “Company”) appointed Robert A. Schriesheim as Executive Vice President, effective August 16, 2011, and Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, effective August 22, 2011. William K. Phelan will continue to serve as the Company’s acting Chief Financial Officer until August 22, 2011, and thereafter will remain with the Company as Senior Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer.

Mr. Schriesheim, age 51, has served as a member of a number of corporate boards after serving as the Chief Financial Officer of Hewitt Associates, Inc., a global human resources consulting and outsourcing company, from January 2010 to October 2010. From October 2006 to December 2009, he served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Lawson Software, Inc., an ERP software provider. From August 2002 to October 2006, he was affiliated with ARCH Development Partners, LLC, a seed stage venture capital fund. Before joining ARCH, Mr. Schriesheim held executive positions at Global TeleSystems, SBC Equity Partners, Ameritech, AC Nielsen and Brooke Group Ltd. Mr. Schriesheim has served as a director of Skyworks Solutions, Inc. since May 2006 and is chairman of its audit committee; and a director of Lawson Software, Inc. from May 2006 to July 2011. He also served as a director of Dobson Communications Corp. from 2004 to 2007, a director and Co-Chairman of MSC.Software Corporation from 2007 to 2009 and a director of Georgia Gulf Corporation from 2009 to 2010.

Mr. Schriesheim will receive an annual base salary of $800,000, with a sign-on bonus of $350,000 (gross). He will be required to repay the Company the sign-on bonus if, within 24 months of his start date, he voluntarily terminates his employment with the Company (other than for Good Reason) or if he is terminated by the Company for Cause (each capitalized term as defined in his Executive Severance Agreement). He is eligible to participate in the Company’s Annual Incentive Plan (“AIP”) with a target award of 150% of his base salary. His 2011 target incentive award, if payable, will be subject to pro-ration based on his start date. Mr. Schriesheim will be eligible to receive a special incentive award for fiscal year 2011 equal to the greater of (a) the actual incentive earned and payable under the 2011 AIP or (b) 100% of his prorated 2011 target incentive award; which special incentive award will be reduced by any amount payable to him under the 2011 AIP. To receive the special incentive award, Mr. Schriesheim must be actively employed at the payment date or be terminated by the Company (other than for Cause) after the last day of fiscal year 2011 and prior to the payment date. Mr. Schriesheim will be eligible to receive a special retention award for fiscal year 2012 equal to the greater of (a) the actual incentive earned and payable under the 2012 AIP or (b) 50% of his 2012 target incentive award; which special retention award will be reduced by any amount payable to him under the 2012 AIP. To receive the special retention award, Mr. Schriesheim must be actively employed at the payment date. In addition, on August 22, 2011, Mr. Schriesheim will receive a restricted stock award under the Company’s 2006 Stock Plan valued at $4,000,000, with one-third of the shares granted vesting on each of the first three anniversaries of the grant date. He will be eligible to receive an additional restricted stock award on each of August 16, 2012 and August 16, 2013, valued at $500,000 each, each of which will vest in full on the second anniversary of the applicable grant date.

Mr. Schriesheim has entered into an Executive Severance Agreement with the Company, which provides, among other things, that if he is involuntarily terminated by the Company for any reason other than for Cause, death or Disability or he voluntarily terminates his employment for Good Reason (a) before completing 12 months of employment, he will be eligible for 12 months of salary continuation equal to his annual base salary rate or (b) after completing 12 months of employment, he will be eligible for 12 months of salary continuation equal to his annual base salary rate plus his target bonus amount. The Executive Severance Agreement also provides that

 

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SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION

 

if he is terminated by the Company other than for Cause or he terminates his employment for Good Reason within 12 months of a Transfer of Shareholdings (as defined in the Executive Severance Agreement), he will vest on the termination date in any equity-based award that was scheduled to vest within 12 months of the termination date. The Executive Severance Agreement also includes customary non-compete, non-solicitation and non-disclosure covenants.

A copy of the letter from the Company to Mr. Schriesheim relating to employment dated August 15, 2011, and a copy of the Executive Severance Agreement between the Company and Mr. Schriesheim dated August 15, 2011, are attached hereto as Exhibit 10.2 and Exhibit 10.3, respectively, and are incorporated herein by this reference. The foregoing description of the terms of the letter and the Executive Severance Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the letter and the Executive Severance Agreement.

On August 15, 2011, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company approved the grant of an incentive award to each of Mr. Phelan, Dane A. Drobny, Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, and William R. Harker, Senior Vice President, in the amount of $400,000, $651,000 and $750,000, respectively. Each award will be granted on September 1, 2011 and consists of restricted stock issued under the Company’s 2006 Stock Plan valued at 50% of the total award amount, and cash in the amount of 50% of the total award amount. Mr. Phelan’s award vests 25% on each of the first and second anniversaries of the grant date and 50% on the third anniversary of the grant date, subject to employment with the Company on the vesting dates. The awards granted to Messrs. Drobny and Harker vest one-third on each of the first, second and third anniversaries of the grant date, subject to employment with the Company on the vesting dates. Also on August 15, 2011, the Compensation Committee approved an increase in Mr. Phelan’s annual base salary to $525,000.

Item 6. Exhibits

Certain of the agreements filed with or incorporated by reference into this report contain representations and warranties and other agreements and undertakings by us and third parties. These representations and warranties, agreements and undertakings have been made as of specific dates, may be subject to important qualifications and limitations agreed to by the parties to the agreement in connection with negotiating the terms of the agreement, and have been included in the agreement for the purpose of allocating risk between the parties to the agreement rather than to establish matters as facts. Any such representations and warranties, agreements, and undertakings have been made solely for the benefit of the parties to the agreement and should not be relied upon by any other person.

(a) Exhibits.

An Exhibit Index has been filed as part of this Report on Page E-1.

 

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SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION

 

SIGNATURE

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 thereunto duly authorized.

 

   

SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION

(Registrant)

August 18, 2011     By       / S /    W ILLIAM K. P HELAN        
     

William K. Phelan

Senior Vice President, Acting Chief Financial

Officer and Controller

(Principal Accounting Officer and duly

authorized officer of Registrant)

 

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SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

    3.1   Restated Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated March 24, 2005, filed on March 24, 2005 (File No. 000- 51217)).
    3.2   Amended and Restated By-Laws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated December 2, 2009, filed on December 4, 2009 (File No. 000-51217)).
*10.1   Form of Sears Holdings Corporation Restricted Stock Award Agreement.
*10.2   Letter from Registrant to Robert A. Schriesheim relating to Employment dated August 15, 2011.
*10.3   Executive Severance Agreement, dated August 15, 2011, between Sears Holdings Corporation and its affiliates and subsidiaries and Robert A. Schriesheim.**
*31.1   Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
*31.2   Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
*32   Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
***101   The following financial information from the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended July 30, 2011, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language) and furnished electronically herewith: (i) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) for the 13 and 26 Weeks Ended July 30, 2011 and July 31, 2010; (ii) the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) as of July 30, 2011, July 31, 2010 and January 29, 2011; (iii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) for the 26 Weeks Ended July 30, 2011 and July 31, 2010; (iv) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity (Unaudited) for the 26 Weeks Ended July 30, 2011 and July 31, 2010; and (v) the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited).

 

* Filed herewith.
** Portions of Exhibit 10.3 have been omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment. The omitted material has been filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
*** Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, these interactive data files are deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, are deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise are not subject to liability under those sections.

 

E-1

EXHIBIT 10.1

SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION

RESTRICTED STOCK AWARD AGREEMENT

Month Day, Year

FName MI. LName

Title

Pursuant to action taken by Sears Holdings Corporation (the “Company”) under the Sears Holdings Corporation 2006 Stock Plan (the “Plan”), you have been awarded restricted shares of Sears Holdings Corporation common stock, as detailed below. This award is subject to all of the terms and conditions of the Plan. In the event of any difference between the provisions of this Agreement and the terms of the Plan, the terms of the Plan will control.

1. Vesting . Provided you remain employed with the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries through the vesting date below and subject to Section 2, the restricted shares shall become 100% vested on the vesting date.

 

Date of Grant

   Grant Value      Grant Price      Restricted  Shares
Granted (1)
     Vesting Date  

Month Day, Year

   $ XXX,XXX       $ XX.XX         X,XXX         Month Day, Year   

 

(1)  

Rounded to the nearest whole share

2. Forfeiture . Restricted shares shall be automatically canceled and forfeited upon (a) termination of your employment with the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries prior to vesting or (b) your demotion below the level of Vice President prior to vesting. If you incur a severance-related leave of absence prior to vesting, any unvested restricted shares shall be automatically canceled and forfeited upon the first day of such leave.

3. Non-Transferability . Prior to vesting, the restricted shares may not be sold, pledged, assigned or otherwise transferred. The transferability of the restricted shares shall also be limited by any legend restricting transferability on any certificates representing such shares.

4. Evidence of Shares . No physical certificates for your restricted shares will be issued to you. Instead, your restricted shares will be evidenced by certificates held by or on behalf of the Company, in book-entry form, or otherwise, as determined by the Company.

5. Shareholder Rights . With respect to the restricted shares, you are entitled to all the rights of a holder of an equivalent number of unrestricted common shares of the Company, except as otherwise provided in the Plan and this Agreement. Specifically, you are entitled to voting rights on the restricted shares and, in the event that the Company declares a regular cash dividend, you are entitled to receive such dividends paid with respect to the restricted shares (free of vesting requirements). You will not be entitled to voting or dividend rights with respect

 

1


to record dates occurring before the date the restricted shares were granted to you, nor with respect to record dates occurring on or after the date, if any, on which you forfeit the restricted shares.

6. Taxes . Delivery of the shares granted under this Award is conditioned upon you satisfying the applicable withholding obligations. You are required to pay withholding taxes due under applicable law in cash or, at the Company’s option, through the surrender of shares whose value equals the taxes due. If the Company withholds shares to satisfy any required withholding, such shares shall be valued at their fair market value on the date such shares become taxable as wages. The fair market value of a share on any date shall be the reported closing price on that date for such shares on the principal securities exchange or market on which the shares are then listed or admitted to trading or, if the Company’s common shares are not traded on that date, on the next preceding date on which the shares were traded. If you are an officer of the Company who is subject to Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, any shares withheld to satisfy such tax withholding requirements may be subject to certain restrictions and reporting requirements.

7. Prospectus . The prospectus delivered to you in connection with this award contains additional information concerning the Plan, including additional tax information.

8. Amendments and Adjustments . The Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Committee”) may from time to time amend the terms of this Agreement to the extent permitted under the terms of the Plan, and the restricted shares are subject to adjustment in a manner that the Committee determines to be appropriate and equitable in the event of a corporate transaction involving the Company.

9. Interpretation of Agreement and Plan . The Committee shall have sole power to interpret and construe any provisions of this Agreement or the Plan. Any such interpretation or construction made by the Committee shall be final and binding on all persons.

10. Grant Not to Affect Employment or Service . The grant of the restricted shares shall not confer any right for you to continue in the employment or service of the Company or its affiliates.

11. Confidentiality . By accepting this award, you agree and acknowledge that at all times, and notwithstanding any vesting or forfeiture of this award, you will hold in strict confidence and will not disclose the terms of this award to any third party, except to your spouse, financial advisor or legal counsel or as otherwise required by law. In the event you disclose such information to your spouse, financial advisor or legal counsel, such individual(s) shall also be bound by the confidentiality obligations set forth herein.

12. Governing Law . To the extent not preempted by federal law, this Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Illinois.

 

2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have duly executed this Restricted Stock Award Agreement.

 

SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION

 

By:   J. David Works
Title:    SVP and President, Talent and
  Human Capital Services

 

GRANTEE

 

FName MI. LName

 

3

Exhibit 10.2

[SEARS HOLDINGS LETTERHEAD]

August 15, 2011

Mr. Robert A. Schriesheim

[Address Omitted]

Dear Rob,

We are pleased to extend to you our offer to join Sears Holdings Corporation (“SHC”) as Executive Vice President, reporting to SHC’s Chief Executive Officer and President, Louis D’Ambrosio. Your start date will be August 16, 2011. Effective on or about August 22, 2011, you will assume the title and responsibilities of Chief Financial Officer, in which capacity you also will report to Mr. D’Ambrosio. This letter serves as confirmation of our offer subject to the contingencies listed below. Please note that this offer has been approved by the Compensation Committee of SHC’s Board of Directors (“Compensation Committee”). This offer is contingent upon you signing the attached Executive Severance Agreement (the “Agreement”).

The key elements of your compensation package are as follows:

 

   

Annual base salary at a rate of $800,000, to be reviewed annually.

 

   

Participation in the Sears Holdings Corporation Annual Incentive Plan (“AIP”) with an annual incentive opportunity of 150% of your base salary. Your target incentive under the 2011 AIP will be prorated from your start date through January 28, 2012, the last day of SHC’s 2011 fiscal year (“2011 Incentive Opportunity”). Notwithstanding the forgoing, for SHC’s 2011 fiscal year, you will be eligible to receive an incentive payment equal to the greater of (a) the actual incentive earned and payable to you under the 2011 AIP or (b) 100% of your 2011 Incentive Opportunity (referred to above) (“Special Incentive Award”). The Special Incentive Award will be reduced by any amount payable to you under the 2011 AIP. Any incentive payable with respect to a fiscal year (including the Special Incentive Award) will be paid April 15 th of the following fiscal year, provided that you are actively employed at the payment date or are terminated by SHC for reasons other than Cause (as defined in the Agreement) after the last day of the 2011 fiscal year and prior to the payment date. Further details regarding our 2011 AIP target award will be provided to you following your start date.

 

   

You will be eligible to receive a special cash retention bonus equal to the greater of (a) the actual incentive earned and payable to you under the 2012 AIP or (b) 50% of your target incentive opportunity under the 2012 AIP (“Retention Award”), following SHC’s 2012 fiscal year, subject to the following terms. The Retention Award will be reduced by any amount payable to you under the 2012 AIP and will be paid April 15, 2013, provided that you are actively employed at the payment date.

 

   

You will receive a one-time cash sign-on bonus of $350,000 (gross). This sign-on bonus will be payable within thirty (30) days following your start date. In the event you voluntarily terminate your employment with SHC (other than for Good Reason) or are terminated by SHC for Cause within twenty four (24) months of your start date, you will be required to repay this amount to SHC within thirty (30) days of your last day worked.

 

   

Subject to approval of the Compensation Committee, you will receive the following grants of restricted stock under the Sears Holdings Corporation 2006 Stock Plan:

 

   

An initial grant of restricted stock valued at $4,000,000. The number of restricted shares granted will be determined using the market closing price of SHC shares on the grant date. The grant date will be Monday, August 22, 2011, provided we have received your executed Agreement. The restricted shares granted will be scheduled to vest on a graded basis, with one-third (1/3 rd ) of the shares granted vesting on each of the next three (3) anniversaries of the grant date.


Robert A. Schriesheim

August 15, 2011

Page 2

 

   

Additional grants of restricted stock on each of the first and second anniversaries of your start date valued at $500,000 each. The number of restricted shares granted upon each of these two additional grant dates will be determined using the market closing price of SHC shares on the applicable grant date. The additional restricted shares granted will vest in full on the second (2 nd ) anniversary of the applicable grant date.

 

   

You represent and warrant to SHC that (a) as of your start date with SHC, you are not subject to any obligation, written or oral, containing any non-competition provision or any other restriction (including, without limitation, any confidentiality provision) that would result in any restriction on your ability to accept and perform this or any other position with SHC or any of its affiliates and (b) you are not (i) a member of any board of directors, board of trustees or similar governing body of any for-profit, non-profit or not-for-profit entity, or (ii) a party to any agreement, written or oral, with any entity under which you would receive remuneration for your services for periods after your start date, except in either case as disclosed to and approved by SHC in advance of your start date. You agree that you will not after the date hereof and except as previously disclosed to SHC (A) become a member of any board or body described in clause (b)(i) of the preceding sentence or (B) become a party to any agreement described in clause (b)(ii) of the preceding sentence, in each case without the prior written consent of SHC, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld. Further, you agree you will not disclose or use, in violation of an obligation of confidentiality, any information that you acquired as a result of any previous employment or otherwise.

 

   

You will be required to sign the Agreement. If your employment with SHC is terminated by SHC other than for Cause, death or Disability (as defined in the Agreement) or by you for Good Reason:

 

   

During the first twelve (12) months of employment, you will receive twelve (12) months of salary continuation, equal to your base salary at the time of termination plus twelve (12) months of continued group health coverage (as provided under the Agreement) at active employee rates; or

 

   

After the first twelve (12) months of employment, you will receive twelve (12) months of salary continuation, equal to your base salary plus an amount equal to your target annual bonus at the time of termination plus twelve (12) months of continued group health coverage (as provided under the Agreement) at active employee rates.

In the event of a Transfer of Shareholdings (as defined in the Agreement), additional benefits are provided as set forth in the Agreement. Under the Agreement, you agree, among other things, not to disclose confidential information and for twelve (12) months following termination of employment not to solicit employees. You also agree not to aid, assist or render services for any “Sears Competitor” or “Sears Vendor” (as such terms are defined in the Agreement) for twelve (12) months following termination of employment. The non-disclosure, non-solicitation, non-compete and non-affiliation provisions apply regardless of whether you are eligible for severance benefits under this Agreement.


Robert A. Schriesheim

August 15, 2011

Page 3

 

The payments and benefits that you will receive upon termination are more fully set forth in the Agreement.

 

   

You will be eligible to receive four (4) weeks paid vacation, which will be pro-rated during your first year of service based on your start date. Added to this, you will qualify for six (6) paid National Holidays each year. You also will be eligible for up to four (4) Personal Days per year, after completing six (6) months of service.

 

   

You will be eligible to participate in all retirement, health and welfare programs on a basis no less favorable than other executives at your level, in accordance with the applicable terms, conditions and availability of those programs.

 

   

This offer is contingent upon satisfactory completion of a background reference check, employment authorization verification and pre-employment drug test.

Rob, we are looking forward to you joining Sears Holdings Corporation. We are excited about the important contributions you will make to the company. I look forward to your acceptance of our offer. If you need additional information or clarification, please call.

This offer will expire if not accepted within one week from the date of this letter. To accept, sign below and return this letter along with your signed Executive Severance Agreement to my attention.

Sincerely,

/s/ J. David Works

J. David Works

Enclosure(s)

Accepted:

 

/s/ Robert A. Schriesheim

    8/15/2011
Robert A. Schriesheim     Date

Exhibit 10.3

Confidential treatment has been requested for portions of this exhibit. The copy filed herewith omits the information subject to the confidentiality request. Omissions are designated as [*****]. A complete version of this exhibit has been filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

EXECUTIVE SEVERANCE AGREEMENT

By this Executive Severance Agreement dated and effective as of August 16, 2011 (“Agreement”), Sears Holdings Corporation and its affiliates and subsidiaries (“Sears”), and Robert A. Schriesheim (“Executive”), intending to be legally bound, and for good and valuable consideration, agree as follows:

1. Effect of Severance .

(a) Severance Benefits . Subject to Section 5 below, if Executive is involuntarily terminated without “Cause” or Executive voluntarily terminates Executive’s employment for “Good Reason” (as such terms are defined in Section 2 below), Executive shall be entitled to the benefits described in subsection (i) and (ii) below (collectively referred to herein as “Severance Benefits”). Executive shall not be entitled to the Severance Benefits if Executive’s employment terminates for any other reason, including due to death or “Disability” (as defined in Section 2 below). Executive shall also not be entitled to Severance Benefits if Executive does not meet all of the other requirements under this Agreement, including under subsection 4(g).

i. Continuation of Salary .

1. Sears or the appropriate “Sears Affiliate” (as defined in Section 2 below) shall pay Executive cash severance (“Salary Continuation”) equal to:

A. In the event Executive’s termination of employment (“Date of Termination”) occurs on or before the first anniversary of Executive’s employment, Executive’s annual base salary rate as of the Date of Termination; or

B. In the event Executive’s Date of Termination occurs after the first anniversary of Executive’s employment, Executive’s annual base salary rate as of the Date of Termination plus Executive’s target bonus for the year in which the Date of Termination occurs or, if no target bonus has been set for the year in which the Date of Termination occurs, Executive’s target bonus for the year immediately preceding the year in which the Date of Termination has occurred.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event will the annual base salary and the target bonus determined for purposes subsections (A) and (B) above be less than the annual base salary and the annual incentive opportunity (as set forth in the Offer Letter, as defined in Section 17), as applicable, in effect with respect to Executive as of the date of this Agreement.

Subject to subsection (a)(i)(2) below, payment of the Salary Continuation amount shall commence on Executive’s “Separation from Service” (as defined in Section 2 below) and shall be paid in substantially equal

 

1


installments on each regular salary payroll date for a period of twelve (12) months following the Separation from Service (the “Salary Continuation Period”), except as otherwise provided in this Agreement.

To the extent Executive does not execute and timely submit the General Release and Waiver (in accordance with subsection 4(g) below) by the deadline specified therein, Salary Continuation payments shall terminate and forever lapse, and Executive shall be required to reimburse Sears for any portion of the Salary Continuation paid during the Salary Continuation Period.

2. Notwithstanding anything in this subsection (a)(i) to the contrary, if the Salary Continuation payable to Executive in accordance with subsection (a)(i)(1) above during the first six (6) months after Executive’s Separation from Service would exceed the “Section 409A Threshold” and if as of the date of the Separation from Service Executive is a “Specified Employee” (as such terms are defined in Section 2 below), then, payment shall be made to Executive on each regular salary payroll date during the first six (6) months of the Salary Continuation Period until the aggregate amount received equals the Section 409A Threshold. Any portion of the Salary Continuation in excess of the Section 409A Threshold that would otherwise be paid during such first six (6) months or any portion of the Salary Continuation that is otherwise subject to Section 409A, shall instead be paid to Executive in a lump sum payment on the date that is six (6) months and one (1) day after the date of Executive’s Separation from Service. In addition, if and to the extent that any payments or benefits to be provided to Executive hereunder or the Offer Letter are subject to Code Section 409A and payable upon Executive’s Separation from Service, such payments or benefits shall be subject to the foregoing provisions of this subsection (a)(i)(2).

3. All Salary Continuation payments (described under this subsection (a)(i)) will terminate and forever lapse if Executive is employed by a “Sears Competitor” or “Sears Vendor” (as such terms are defined in subsection 4(c)(ii) and 4(d)(ii) herein, respectively) during the Salary Continuation Period or in the event of Executive’s breach (in accordance with Section 11 below), and Executive shall be required to reimburse Sears for any portion of the Salary Continuation paid during the Salary Continuation Period.

ii. Continuation of Benefits .

1. During the Salary Continuation Period, Executive will be entitled to participate in all benefit plans and programs (except as specified in this subsection (a)(ii)), as an active associate, in which Executive was eligible to participate on the Date of Termination (subject to the terms and conditions and continued availability of such plans and programs); provided, however, that Executive will not be eligible to participate in the long-term disability plan (as of the 15 th day following the Date of Termination), health care flexible spending account (except

 

2


on an after-tax basis and only through the earlier of the end of Salary Continuation Period or the calendar year in which the Separation from Service occurs), Sears paid life insurance and the Sears Holdings 401(k) Savings Plan (or any other defined contribution plan sponsored by Sears or a Sears Affiliate) during the Salary Continuation Period. Executive and Executive’s eligible dependents shall be entitled to continue to participate, as active participants, in Sears medical and dental plans (subject to the terms and conditions and continued availability of such plans) during the Salary Continuation Period (which period shall be in addition to any COBRA continuation coverage to which Executive and Executive’s eligible dependents may otherwise be entitled under such plans).

2. If Executive does not timely execute and submit the General Release and Waiver (in accordance with subsection 4(g) herein) by the deadline specified therein, Executive shall be required to reimburse Sears for the portion of the cost for the benefits referred to under subsection (a)(ii)(1) immediately above paid by Sears during the Salary Continuation Period, and Executive and his eligible dependents shall instead be eligible for COBRA continuation coverage under the Sears medical and dental plans as of Executive’s Separation from Service. For the avoidance of doubt, the “cost” of benefits for purposes of this Agreement is the employer-paid portion of the applicable premium for such benefits.

3. Subject to subsection (a)(ii)(4) immediately below, in the event Executive provides services to another employer and is covered by such employer’s health benefits plan or program, the medical and dental benefits provided by Sears hereunder shall be secondary to such employer’s health benefits plan or program in accordance with the terms of the Sears health benefit plans.

4. All of the benefits described in this subsection (a)(ii) will terminate and forever lapse if Executive is employed by a Sears Competitor or Sears Vendor during the Salary Continuation Period or in the event of Executive’s breach (in accordance with Section 11 below), and Executive shall be required to reimburse Sears for any portion of the cost for the benefits referred to under subsection (a)(ii)(1) immediately above paid by Sears during the Salary Continuation Period, and Executive and his eligible dependents shall instead be eligible for COBRA continuation coverage under the Sears medical and dental plans as of Executive’s Separation from Service date.

iii. Other .

1 In addition to the foregoing Severance Benefits, a lump sum payment will be made to Executive within ten (10) business days following the Date of Termination in an amount equal to the sum of any base salary and any vacation benefits that have accrued through the Date of Termination to the extent not already paid. No vacation will accrue during the Salary Continuation Period.

 

3


2. Notwithstanding the foregoing and anything herein to the contrary, in the event of Executive’s death during the Salary Continuation Period, any unpaid portion of the Salary Continuation payable in accordance with subsection (a)(i) above shall be paid in a lump sum, within sixty (60) days of death (and no later than amounts would have been paid absent death), to Executive’s estate, and any eligible dependents who are covered dependents as of the date of death shall incur a qualifying event under COBRA as a result of such death.

(b) Impact of Termination on Certain Other Plans/Programs .

i. Annual Incentive Plan . Upon Executive’s Date of Termination, Executive’s entitlement to any award under the applicable annual incentive plan (“AIP”) sponsored by Sears, shall be determined in accordance with the terms and conditions of the AIP document regarding termination of employment, except as otherwise provided in the Offer Letter or in this Agreement.

ii. Long-Term Incentive Program(s) . Upon Executive’s Date of Termination, Executive’s entitlement to any award granted to Executive under a long-term incentive program (“LTIP”) sponsored by Sears, shall be determined in accordance with the terms and conditions of the award letter and the LTIP document regarding termination of employment.

iii. Stock Plan . Upon Executive’s Date of Termination, except as provided in subsection 5(a) below, Executive’s entitlement to any unvested options, restricted stock or other equity award granted to Executive under a stock plan sponsored by Sears shall be determined in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable award agreement and the stock plan document regarding termination of employment.

(c) Post-Termination Forfeiture of Severance Benefits . If Sears determines after Executive’s Date of Termination that Executive engaged in activity during employment with Sears that Sears determines constituted Cause, Executive shall immediately cease to be eligible for Severance Benefits and shall be required to reimburse Sears for any portion of the Salary Continuation paid to Executive and for the cost of other Severance Benefits received by Executive during the Salary Continuation Period.

2. Definitions . For purposes of this Agreement, each capitalized term in this Agreement is either defined in the section, exhibit or appendix in which it first appears or in this Section 2. The following capitalized terms shall have the definitions as set forth below:

(a) “ Cause ” shall mean (i) Executive’s continued failure to substantially perform the job duties (other than a failure resulting from incapacity due to Disability) which failure is not remedied in a reasonable period of time after receipt of written notice from Sears specifying such breach; (ii) a material breach by Executive of Executive’s duties and responsibilities which breach is demonstrably willful and deliberate on

 

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Executive’s part, is committed in bad faith or without reasonable belief that such breach is in the best interests of Sears or the Sears Affiliates and is not remedied in a reasonable period of time after receipt of written notice from Sears specifying such breach; (iii) the commission by Executive of a felony; or (iv) dishonesty or willful misconduct in connection with Executive’s employment. For the avoidance of doubt, if Executive’s employment is terminated for “Cause” pursuant to subsection (iii) and it is later determined that Executive did not commit the felony which was the basis for the termination, Executive’s termination shall be treated as not terminated for Cause unless Sears demonstrates that another basis for a Cause termination existed.

(b) “ Disability ” shall mean disability as defined under the Sears long-term disability plan (regardless of whether Executive is a participant under such plan).

(c) “ Good Reason ” shall mean, without Executive’s written consent: (i) a reduction of at least ten percent (10%) in the sum of Executive’s annual base salary and target AIP bonus from those in effect as of the date of this Agreement; (ii) a change in reporting relationship such that Executive reports to anyone other than the Chief Executive Offer or the Chairman of the Board of Sears Holdings Corporation; (iii) after August 22, 2011, Executive no longer holding the position of Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer or an equivalent or more senior position of Sears Holdings Corporation or a successor corporation; (iv) Executive’s mandatory relocation to an office more than fifty (50) miles from the primary location at which Executive is required to perform Executive’s duties as of the date of this Agreement; (v) Sears Holdings Corporation ceasing to have securities registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) or the equivalent applicable law; or (vi) the failure of a successor company to assume or fulfill the obligations under this Agreement. In each case, Executive must provide Sears with written notice of the facts giving rise to a claim that “Good Reason” exists for purposes of this Agreement, within thirty (30) days of the initial existence of such Good Reason event (or, if later, the date on which Executive first has knowledge of such facts), and Sears shall have a right to remedy such event within sixty (60) days after receipt of Executive’s written notice (“the sixty (60) day period”). If Sears remedies the Good Reason event within the sixty (60) day period, the Good Reason event (and Executive’s right to receive any benefit under this Agreement on account of termination of employment for Good Reason) shall cease to exist based on the applicable facts (but shall not preclude a claim for Good Reason based on a different occurrence or different facts). If Sears does not remedy the Good Reason event within the sixty (60) day period, and Executive does not incur a termination of employment within thirty (30) days following the earlier of: (y) the date Sears notifies Executive that it does not intend to remedy the Good Reason or does not agree that there has been a Good Reason event, or (z) the expiration of the sixty (60) day period, the Good Reason event (or any claim of Good Reason) based on the applicable facts shall cease to exist (but shall not preclude a claim for Good Reason based on a different occurrence or different facts). Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Executive fails to provide written notice to Sears of the facts giving rise to a claim of Good Reason within thirty (30) days of the initial existence of such Good Reason event (or, if later, the date on which Executive first has knowledge thereof), the Good Reason event (and Executive’s right to receive any benefit under this Agreement on account of termination of employment for Good Reason) shall cease to exist based on the applicable facts as of the thirty-first (31 st ) day following the later of its occurrence or Executive’s knowledge

 

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thereof (but shall not preclude a claim for Good Reason based on a different occurrence or different facts). Notwithstanding the foregoing, to qualify as a Good Reason, any good faith determination of Good Reason made by Executive with respect to any of the conditions listed above in this subsection 2(c) must satisfy the “material negative change” requirement under Treasury Regulations §1.409A-1(n)(2)(i), any successor thereto and other applicable guidance.

(d) “ Sears Affiliate ” shall mean any person with whom Sears is considered to be a single employer under Code Section 414 (b) and all persons with whom Sears would be considered a single employer under Code Section 414 (c), substituting “50%” for the “80%” standard that would otherwise apply.

(e) “ Section 409A Threshold ” shall mean an amount equal to two times the lesser of (i) Executive’s base salary for services provided to Sears and any Sears Affiliate as an employee for the calendar year preceding the calendar year in which Executive has a Separation from Service; or (ii) the maximum amount that may be taken into account under a qualified plan in accordance with Code Section 401(a)(17) for the calendar year in which Executive has a Separation from Service. In all events, this amount shall be limited to the amount specified under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii)(A) or any successor thereto.

(f) “ Separation from Service ” shall mean a “separation from service” with Sears (including any Sears Affiliate) within the meaning of Code Section 409A (and regulations issued thereunder). Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the fact that Executive is treated as having incurred a Separation from Service under Code Section 409A and the terms of this Agreement shall not be determinative, or in any way affect the analysis, of whether Executive has retired, terminated employment, separated from service, incurred a severance from employment or become entitled to a distribution, under the terms of any retirement plan (including pension plans and 401(k) savings plans) maintained by Sears (including by a Sears Affiliate).

(g) “ Specified Employee ” shall mean a “specified employee” under Code Section 409A (and regulations issued thereunder), which shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of Supplement A to the Supplemental Retirement Income Plan (as amended and restated effective January 1, 2008).

3. Intellectual Property Rights . Executive acknowledges that Executive’s development, work or research on any and all inventions or expressions of ideas, that may or may not be eligible for patent, copyright, trademark or trade secret protection, hereafter made or conceived solely or jointly within the scope of employment at Sears or any Sears Affiliate, provided such invention or expression of an idea relates to the business of Sears or any Sears Affiliate, or relates to actual or demonstrably anticipated research or development of Sears or any Sears Affiliate, or results from any work performed by Executive for or on behalf of Sears or any Sears Affiliate, are hereby assigned to Sears, including Executive’s entire rights, title and interest. Executive will promptly disclose such invention or expression of an idea to Executive’s management and will, upon request, promptly execute a specific written assignment of title to Sears. If Executive currently holds any inventions or expressions of an idea, regardless of whether they were published or filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office or the U.S. Copyright Office, or is under contract to not so assign, Executive will list them on the last page of this Agreement.

 

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4. Protective Covenants . Executive acknowledges that this Agreement provides for additional consideration beyond what Sears or any Sears Affiliate is otherwise obligated to pay. In consideration of the opportunity for the Severance Benefits, and other good and valuable consideration, Executive agrees to the following:

(a) Non-Disclosure of Sears Confidential Information . Executive acknowledges and agrees to be bound by the following, whether or not Executive receives any Severance Benefits under this Agreement:

i. Non-Disclosure .

1. Executive will not, during the term of Executive’s employment with Sears or any Sears Affiliate or thereafter, and other than in the performance of his duties and obligations during his employment with Sears or as required by law or legal process, and except as Sears may otherwise consent or direct in writing, reveal or disclose, sell, use, lecture upon or publish any “Sears Confidential Information” (as defined in subsection 4(a)(ii) below) until such time as the information becomes publicly known other than as a result of its disclosure, directly or indirectly, by Executive in breach of this Agreement; and

2. Executive understands that if Executive possesses any proprietary information of another person or company as a result of prior employment or otherwise, Sears expects and requires that Executive will honor any and all legal obligations that Executive has to that person or company with respect to proprietary information, and Executive will refrain from any unauthorized use or disclosure of such information.

ii. Sears Confidential Information . For purposes of this Agreement, “Sears Confidential Information” means trade secrets and non-public information which Sears or any Sears Affiliate designates as being confidential or which, under the circumstances, should be treated as confidential, including, without limitation, any information received in confidence or developed by Sears or any Sears Affiliate, its long and short term goals, vendor and supply agreements, databases, methods, programs, techniques, business information, financial information, marketing and business plans, proprietary software, personnel information and files, client information, pricing, and other information relating to the business of Sears or any Sears Affiliate that is not known generally to the public or in the industry.

iii. Return of Sears Property . All documents and other property that relate to the business of Sears or any Sears Affiliate are the exclusive property of Sears, even if Executive authored or created them. Executive agrees to return all such documents and tangible property to Sears upon termination of employment or at such earlier time as Sears may request Executive to do so.

iv. Conflict of Interest . During Executive’s employment with Sears or any Sears Affiliate and during any Salary Continuation Period, except as may be approved in writing by Sears, neither Executive nor members of Executive’s

 

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immediate family (which shall refer to Executive, any spouse or any child) will have financial investments or other interests or relationships with Sears’ or any Sears Affiliate’s customers, suppliers or competitors which might impair Executive’s independence of judgment on behalf of the Company. Also during Executive’s employment with Sears or any Sears Affiliate and during any Salary Continuation Period, Executive agrees further not to engage in any activity in competition with Sears or any Sears Affiliate and will avoid any outside activity that could reasonably be expected to adversely affect the independence and objectivity of Executive’s judgment with respect to Sears or any Sears Affiliate, interfere with the timely and effective performance of Executive’s duties and responsibilities to Sears or any Sears Affiliate, discredit Sears or any Sears Affiliate or otherwise conflict with the best interests of Sears or any Sears Affiliate.

(b) Non-Solicitation of Employees . During Executive’s employment with Sears or any Sears Affiliate and for twelve (12) months following Executive’s Date of Termination, whether or not Executive receives any Severance Benefits under this Agreement, Executive will not, directly or indirectly, solicit or encourage any person to leave her/his employment with Sears or any Sears Affiliate or assist in any way with the hiring of any Sears or any Sears Affiliate employee by any future employer or other entity.

(c) Non-Competition . Executive acknowledges that as a result of Executive’s position at Sears or any Sears Affiliate, Executive has learned or developed, or will learn or develop, Sears Confidential Information and that use or disclosure of Sears Confidential Information is likely to occur if Executive were to render advice or services to any Sears Competitor.

i. Therefore, for twelve (12) months following Executive’s Date of Termination, whether or not Executive receives any Severance Benefits under this Agreement, Executive will not, directly or indirectly, aid, assist, participate in, consult with, render services for, accept a position with, become employed by, or otherwise enter into any relationship with (other than having a passive ownership interest in or being a customer of) any Sears Competitor.

ii. For purposes of this Agreement, “Sears Competitor” means:

1. Those companies listed on Appendix A , each of which Executive acknowledges is a Sears Competitor, whether or not it falls within the categories in subsection (ii)(2) immediately below, and further acknowledges that this is not an exclusive list of Sears Competitors and is not intended to limit the generality of subsection (ii)(2) immediately below; and

2. Any party (A) engaged in any retail business (whether in a department store, specialty store, discount store, direct marketing, or electronic commerce or other business format), that consists of selling furniture, appliances, electronics, hardware, lawn/garden, auto parts, food/consumables, toys, seasonal, fitness/sporting goods, apparel and/or pharmacy products, or providing home improvement, product repair

 

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and/or home services, with combined annual revenue in excess of $1 billion, or (B) a party engaged in any other line of business, in which Sears (including any Sears Affiliate) has commenced business prior to the end of Executive’s employment, having annual gross sales in that line of business in excess of $100 million.

iii. Executive acknowledges that Sears shall have the right to propose modifications to Appendix A periodically to include (1) emergent Competitors in Sears existing lines of business and (2) Competitors in lines of business that are new for Sears, in each case, with the prior written consent of Executive, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

iv. Executive further acknowledges that Sears (or Sears Affiliates) does business throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam and Canada and that this non-compete provision applies in any state or province (as applicable) of the United States, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam and Canada, in which Sears does business.

(d) Restriction on Post-Employment Affiliation with Sears Vendors. Executive acknowledges that as a result of Executive’s position at Sears or any Sears Affiliate, Executive has learned or developed, or will learn or develop, Sears Confidential Information and that use or disclosure of Sears Confidential Information is likely to occur if Executive were to render advice or services to any “Sears Vendor” (as defined herein).

i. Therefore, for twelve (12) months from Executive’s Date of Termination, whether or not Executive receives any Severance Benefits under this Agreement, Executive will not, directly or indirectly, aid, assist, participate in, consult with, render services for, accept a position with, become employed by, or otherwise enter into any relationship with (other than having a passive ownership interest in or being a customer of) any Sears Vendor.

ii. For purposes of this Agreement, “Sears Vendor” means, the vendors, if any, listed in Appendix A as well as any vendor with combined annual gross sales of services or merchandise to Sears in excess of $200 million.

(e) Compliance with Protective Covenants . Executive will provide Sears with such information as Sears may from time to time reasonably request to determine Executive’s compliance with this Section 4. Executive authorizes Sears to contact Executive’s future employers and other entities with which Executive has any business relationship to determine Executive’s compliance with this Agreement or to communicate the contents of this Agreement to such employers and entities. Executive releases Sears, Sears Affiliates, their agents and employees, from all liability for any damage arising from any such reasonable and lawful contacts or communications.

(f) Necessity and Reasonableness . Executive agrees that the restrictions set forth herein are necessary to prevent the use and disclosure of Sears Confidential Information and to otherwise protect the legitimate business interests of Sears and Sears Affiliates. Executive further agrees and acknowledges that the provisions of this Agreement are reasonable.

 

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(g) General Release and Waiver . Upon Executive’s Date of Termination (whether initiated by Sears or Executive in accordance with subsection 1(a) above or 5(a) below) potentially entitling Executive to Severance Benefits, Executive will execute a binding general release and waiver of claims in a form to be provided by Sears (“General Release and Waiver”), which is incorporated by reference under this Agreement. This General Release and Waiver will be in a form substantially similar to the sample attached hereto as Exhibit A . Sears shall provide Executive with the actual form of General Release and Waiver upon Executive’s Date of Termination. If the General Release and Waiver is not signed within the time required by the waiver or is signed but subsequently revoked, Executive will not continue to receive any Severance Benefits otherwise payable under subsection 1(a) above or Section 5 below. Further, Executive shall be obligated to reimburse Sears for any portion of (i) the Salary Continuation paid during the Salary Continuation Period under subsection (1)(a)(i) herein, and (ii) the cost for the benefits provided during the Salary Continuation Period under subsection (1)(a)(ii) herein.

(h) Exception Request . Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive may request a waiver or a specific exception to the non-competition provisions of this Agreement by written request to the Senior Vice President and President, Talent & Human Capital Services or Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary (or the equivalent) of Sears. Such a request will be given reasonable consideration and may be granted, in whole or in part, or denied at Sears’ absolute discretion.

5. Transfer of Shareholdings . Notwithstanding Section 1, in the event Executive’s employment with Sears is terminated on or after the date of a “Transfer of Shareholdings” (as defined below) and Executive would otherwise be entitled to Severance Benefits, as described in Section 1, the amount of Executive’s Severance Benefits shall be supplemented as provided below:

(a) If the Transfer of Shareholdings occurs after the first twelve (12) months of Executive’s employment with Sears and Executive’s employment is terminated by Sears for reasons other than Cause or by Executive for Good Reason, in either case within twelve (12) months after such Transfer of Shareholdings, Executive shall vest on the Date of Termination in any portion of any equity or equity-based award granted to Executive that is scheduled to vest within twelve (12) months following such date.

(b) For purposes of this Agreement, “Transfer of Shareholdings” shall be defined as any of the following:

i. the acquisition (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) by any “person” (as that term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Section 13(d) under the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder) from ESL Investments, Inc. and/or Persons associated with ESL Investments, Inc. of shares of common stock of Sears Holdings Corporation representing fifty percent (50%) or more of the total number of then outstanding shares of common stock of Sears Holdings Corporation; provided that any such acquisition or holding of beneficial ownership of shares of common stock of Sears

 

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Holdings Corporation by any underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering of such securities any of the following entities shall not by itself constitute such a Transfer of Shareholdings hereunder; or

ii. Sears Holdings Corporation ceasing to have securities registered under the Exchange Act or the equivalent applicable law.

6. Irreparable Harm . Executive acknowledges that irreparable harm would result from any breach by Executive of the provisions of this Agreement, including without limitation subsections 4(a), 4(b), 4(c) and 4(d), and that monetary damages alone would not provide adequate relief for any such breach. Accordingly, if Executive breaches or threatens to breach this Agreement, Executive consents to injunctive relief in favor of Sears without the necessity of Sears posting a bond. Moreover, any award of injunctive relief shall not preclude Sears from seeking or recovering any lawful compensatory damages which may have resulted from a breach of this Agreement, including a forfeiture of any future payments and a return of any payments and benefits already received by Executive.

7. Non-Disparagement . Executive will not take any actions that would reasonably be expected to be detrimental to the interests of Sears or any Sears Affiliate, nor make derogatory statements, either written or oral to any third party, or otherwise publicly disparage Sears or any Sears Affiliate, its products, services, or present or former employees, officers or directors, and will not authorize others to make derogatory or disparaging statements on Executive’s behalf. Sears shall not authorize and shall take reasonable measures to prevent its present or former officers and directors from making derogatory or disparaging statements regarding Executive to any third party. This provision does not and is not intended to preclude Executive from entering into any relationship with a Sears Competitor or Sears Vendor after such relationship is permissible under subsection 4(c) or 4(d), respectively, nor does it preclude Executive or Sears or any Sears Affiliate from providing truthful testimony in response to legal process or governmental inquiry.

8. Cooperation . Executive agrees, without receiving additional compensation, to fully and completely cooperate with Sears, both during and after the period of employment with Sears or any Sears Affiliate (including any Salary Continuation Period), with respect to matters that relate to Executive’s period of employment, in all investigations, potential litigation or litigation in which Sears is involved or may become involved other than any such investigations, potential litigation or litigation between Sears and Executive. Sears will reimburse Executive for reasonable travel and out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with any such investigations, potential litigation or litigation; provided, however, that the reimbursement of any such expenses that are taxable to Executive shall be made on or before the last day of the year following the year in which the expense was incurred, the amount of the expenses eligible for reimbursement during one year shall not affect the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement in any other year, and the right to reimbursement shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.

9. Future Enforcement or Remedy . Any waiver, or failure to seek enforcement or remedy for any breach or suspected breach, of any provision of this Agreement by Sears or Executive in any instance shall not be deemed a waiver of such provision in the future.

10. Acting as Witness . Executive agrees that both during and after the period of employment with Sears or any Sears Affiliate (including any Salary Continuation Period),

 

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Executive will not voluntarily act as a witness, consultant or expert for any person or party in any action against or involving Sears or any Sears Affiliate, unless subject to judicial enforcement to appear as a fact witness only.

11. Breach by Executive . In the event of a breach by Executive of the material provisions of this Agreement, including without limitation the non-competition provisions (Section 4) and the non-disparagement provision (Section 7) of this Agreement, the obligation of Sears or any Sears Affiliate to pay Salary Continuation or to provide other Severance Benefits under this Agreement will immediately cease and any Salary Continuation payments already received and the value of any other Severance Benefits already received will be returned by Executive to Sears.

12. Severability . If any provision(s) of this Agreement shall be found invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, in whole or in part, then such provision(s) shall be modified or restricted so as to effectuate as nearly as possible in a valid and enforceable way the provisions hereof, or shall be deemed excised from this Agreement, as the case may require, and this Agreement shall be construed and enforced to the maximum extent permitted by law, as if such provision(s) had been originally incorporated herein as so modified or restricted or as if such provision(s) had not been originally incorporated herein, as the case may be.

13. Governing Law . This Agreement will be governed under the internal laws of the state of Illinois without regard to principles of conflicts of laws. Executive agrees that the state and federal courts located in the state of Illinois shall have exclusive jurisdiction in any action, lawsuit or proceeding based on or arising out of this Agreement, and Executive hereby: (a) submits to the personal jurisdiction of such courts; (b) consents to the service of process in connection with any action, suit, or proceeding against Executive; and (c) waives any other requirement (whether imposed by statute, rule of court, or otherwise) with respect to personal jurisdiction, venue or service of process.

14. Right to Jury . Executive agrees to waive any right to a jury trial on any claim contending that this Agreement or the General Release and Waiver is illegal or unenforceable in whole or in part, and Executive agrees to try any claims brought in a court or tribunal without use of a jury or advisory jury. Further, should any claim arising out of Executive’s employment, termination of employment or Salary Continuation Period (if any) be found by a court or tribunal of competent jurisdiction to not be released by the General Release and Waiver, Executive agrees to try such claim to the court or tribunal without use of a jury or advisory jury.

15. Employment-at-Will . This Agreement does not constitute a contract of employment, and Executive acknowledges that Executive’s employment with Sears or any Sears Affiliate is terminable “at-will” by either party with or without cause and with or without notice.

16. Other Plans, Programs, Policies and Practices . If any provision of this Agreement or the Offer Letter conflicts with any other plan, programs, policy, practice or other Sears document, then the provisions of this Agreement and the Offer Letter, as applicable, will control, except as otherwise precluded by law. Executive shall not be eligible for any benefits under the Sears Holdings Corporation Master Transition Pay Plan or the Kmart Corporation Master Severance Pay Plan or any successor severance plan or program.

17. Entire Agreement . This Agreement, including any exhibits or appendices hereto, and the final offer letter issued by Sears and accepted by Executive (the “Offer Letter”) contain

 

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and comprise the entire understanding and agreement between Executive and Sears (including any Sears Affiliate) with respect to the subject matter contained herein or in the Offer Letter and this Agreement and the Offer Letter fully supersede any and all prior agreements or understandings between Executive and Sears with respect to the subject matter contained herein or in the Offer Letter, and this Agreement and the Offer Letter may be amended only by a writing signed by Executive and the Chief Executive Officer, Senior Vice President and President, Talent & Human Capital Services or Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary (or equivalent) of Sears.

18. Tax Withholding . Any compensation paid or provided to Executive under this Agreement shall be subject to any applicable federal, state or local income and employment tax withholding requirements.

19. Notices . All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be given by hand delivery to the other parties or by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:

 

If to Executive : At the most recent address on file at Sears.
If to Sears :    Sears Holdings Corporation
   3333 Beverly Road
   Hoffman Estates, Illinois 60179
   Attention to both:   

Senior Vice President and President, Talent & Human Capital Services

     

Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

20. Assignment . Sears may assign its rights under this Agreement to any successor in interest, whether by merger, consolidation, sale of assets, or otherwise. This Agreement shall be binding whether it is between Sears and Executive or between any successor or assignee of Sears or affiliate thereof and Executive.

21. Section 409A Compliance . To the extent that a payment or benefit under this Agreement is subject to Code Section 409A, it is intended that this Agreement as applied to that payment or benefit comply with the requirements of Code Section 409A, and the Agreement shall be administered and interpreted consistent with this intent.

22. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, which together shall constitute a valid and binding agreement.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Executive and Sears, by its duly authorized representative, have executed this Agreement on the dates stated below, effective as of the date first set forth above.

 

EXECUTIVE     SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION

/s/ Robert A. Schriesheim

    BY:  

/s/ J. David Works

Robert A. Schriesheim      

August 15, 2011

   

August 15, 2011

Date     Date

 

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EXHIBIT A

NOTICE: YOU MAY CONSIDER THIS GENERAL RELEASE AND WAIVER FOR UP TO TWENTY-ONE (21) DAYS. YOU MAY NOT SIGN IT UNTIL ON OR AFTER YOUR LAST DAY OF WORK. IF YOU DECIDE TO SIGN IT, YOU MAY REVOKE THE GENERAL RELEASE AND WAIVER WITHIN SEVEN (7) DAYS AFTER SIGNING. ANY REVOCATION WITHIN THIS PERIOD MUST BE IMMEDIATELY SUBMITTED IN WRITING TO GENERAL COUNSEL, SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION, 3333 BEVERLY ROAD, HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL 60179. YOU MAY WISH TO CONSULT WITH AN ATTORNEY BEFORE SIGNING THIS DOCUMENT.

GENERAL RELEASE AND WAIVER

In consideration for the benefits that I will receive under the attached Executive Severance Agreement, I, and any person acting by, through, or under me hereby release Sears Holdings Corporation, its current and former agents, subsidiaries, affiliates, employees, officers, stockholders, successors, and assigns (“Sears”) from any and all claims arising out of my employment or the termination thereof. This General Release and Waiver is to be broadly construed to encompass all claims of any kind or character whatsoever, whether known or unknown, based upon any matter occurring prior to my execution of this General Release and Waiver and including, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any and all claims under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (“ADEA”), Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 1981 of the Civil Rights Act of 1866, the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”), the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (“ERISA”), the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (“WARN”), the Family and Medical Leave Act (“FMLA”) and any other federal, state or local constitution, statute, regulation, or ordinance, and any and all common law claims including, but not limited to, claims for wrongful or retaliatory discharge, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence, defamation, invasion of privacy, and breach of contract. This General Release and Waiver does not apply to any claims or rights that may arise after the date that I signed this General Release and Waiver. I understand that Sears is not admitting to any violation of my rights or any duty or obligation owed to me.

Excluded from this General Release and Waiver are any claims which cannot be waived by law, including but not limited to (1) the right to file a charge with or participate in an investigation conducted by certain government agencies, and (2) any rights or claims to benefits accrued under benefit plans maintained by Sears pursuant to ERISA. I do, however, waive my right to any monetary recovery should any agency or other third party pursue any claims on my behalf. I represent and warrant that I have not filed any complaint, charge, or lawsuit against Sears with any governmental agency and/or any court.

I have read this General Release and Waiver and I understand its legal and binding effect. I am acting voluntarily and of my own free will in executing this General Release and Waiver.

I have had the opportunity to seek, and I was advised in writing to seek, legal counsel prior to signing this General Release and Waiver.

I was given at least twenty-one (21) days to consider signing this General Release and Waiver. Any immaterial modification of this General Release and Waiver does not restart the twenty-one (21) day consideration period.

 

Page 1 of 2

Return both pages of the signed General Release and Waiver


GENERAL RELEASE AND WAIVER (continued)

 

I understand that, if I sign the General Release and Waiver, I can change my mind and revoke it within seven (7) days after signing it by notifying the General Counsel of Sears in writing at Sears Holdings Corporation, 3333 Beverly Road, Hoffman Estates, Illinois 60179. I understand that this General Release and Waiver will not be effective until after this seven (7) day revocation period has expired.

 

Date:  

SAMPLE ONLY - DO NOT DATE

    Signed by:  

SAMPLE ONLY - DO NOT SIGN

      Witness by:  

SAMPLE ONLY - DO NOT SIGN

 

Page 2 of 2

Return both pages of the signed General Release and Waiver


Executive:     Robert A. Schriesheim   Date:    August 15, 2011        

 

Appendix A

Executive Severance Agreement

 

The following companies (including affiliates and subsidiaries within the same controlled group of corporations) are included within the definition of “Sears Competitors”, as referred to under subsection 4(c)(ii)(1) of the Executive Severance Agreement:

[*****]

[*****] Confidential material redacted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

EXHIBIT 31.1

CERTIFICATIONS

I, Louis J. D’Ambrosio, certify that:

 

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Sears Holdings Corporation;

 

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

  (a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

  (b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

  (c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

  (d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

  (a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

  (b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: August 18, 2011

 

/s/ Louis J. D’Ambrosio

Louis J. D’Ambrosio
Chief Executive Officer and President
Sears Holdings Corporation

EXHIBIT 31.2

CERTIFICATIONS

I, William K. Phelan, certify that:

 

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Sears Holdings Corporation;

 

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

  (a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

  (b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

  (c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

  (d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

  (a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

  (b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: August 18, 2011

 

/s/ William K. Phelan

William K. Phelan

Senior Vice President, Acting Chief Financial Officer

and Controller

Sears Holdings Corporation

EXHIBIT 32

CERTIFICATION

Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350 as adopted by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

Each of the undersigned, Louis J. D’Ambrosio, Chief Executive Officer and President of Sears Holdings Corporation (the “Company”) and William K. Phelan, Senior Vice President, Acting Chief Financial Officer and Controller of the Company, has executed this certification in connection with the filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended July 30, 2011 (the “Report”).

Each of the undersigned hereby certifies that:

 

  1. The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 

  2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

August 18, 2011

 

/s/ Louis J. D’Ambrosio

Louis J. D’Ambrosio

Chief Executive Officer

and President

 

/s/ William K. Phelan

William K. Phelan
Senior Vice President, Acting
Chief Financial Officer and Controller