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Sears, Roebuck and Co. (NYSE: S) has filled two top leadership positions in its industry-leading hardlines business, which represents approximately 50 percent of the company's total domestic retail and related services business.

Sears has named former Kohl's senior executive, Beryl Buley to the post of senior vice president/general manager, home stores, replacing Dan Laughlin, who has been promoted to senior vice president/general merchandise manager of appliances and electronics, effective immediately. Both will report to Mark Cosby, executive vice president of Sears, Roebuck and Co. and president, full- line stores.

Buley, 42, most recently executive vice president for stores at Kohl's, was responsible for operations of 542 stores with annual sales of $10 billion.

"Beryl is widely respected in the retail industry for his leadership and for his operating expertise," said Cosby. "We are very pleased to attract yet another superb leadership talent to this company. Beryl will play an important role as we build on Sears' momentum in the retail marketplace, and as we begin to transition to a new leadership structure in our hardlines business."

Earlier this month, Lyle Heidemann, Sears executive vice president/general manager of Home and Off-Mall Stores, announced he would retire at the end of the year, concluding a 36-year career with Sears. Through year-end, Heidemann will continue to lead many of Sears' important hardlines businesses.

Buley will be responsible for approximately 1,300 off-mall stores, including dealer stores, Sears Hardware, Orchard Supply Hardware, Sears Outlet Stores, Sears Appliance and Hardware stores, builder distributors (McPhail's and Florida Builders) and National Tire and Battery (until closing of the sale to TBC Corporation), as well as licensed businesses and contract sales. These off-mall stores represents an important distribution channel for Sears' appliances, automotive, electronics and hardware products.

Prior to Kohl's, Buley served in a variety of roles with Target Stores, Mervyn's Department Stores, Marshall Field's Department Stores and MainStreet Department Stores.

Dan Laughlin, 53, will lead a multi-billion dollar revenue combination of home appliances, small home appliances and consumer electronics. He joined Sears in 1972 and has served in a variety of field and headquarters assignments, including regional business manager and national marketing manager for women's apparel and accessories and as president of Sears DePuerto Rico.

Laughlin has also managed Sears' off-mall formats, including Sears Dealer stores, Sears Hardware, Orchard Supply Hardware, contract sales, Sears Outlet stores, Sears Appliance and Hardware stores, Appliance Builder Direct, Sears Auto Centers, builder distributors (McPhail's and Florida Builders), licensed businesses and National Tire and Battery. He was named vice president and general merchandising manager of tools and paint in 2000 and to his most recent position in May.

"Dan is a seasoned and successful business executive with significant merchandising and brand-building experience in our hardlines business," said Cosby. "It was under Dan's leadership that Sears rolled out the award-winning 'Tool Territory' format and in his role as vice president of strategic marketing, Dan led the brand-building for Kenmore庐, Craftsman庐 and Die Hard庐, including development of the Kenmore Elite庐 and Craftsman庐 Professional brands."

Sears, Roebuck and Co. is a broadline retailer with significant service and credit businesses. In 2002, the company's annual revenue was $41.4 billion. The company offers its wide range of apparel, home and automotive products and services to families in the U.S. through Sears stores nationwide, including approximately 870 full-line stores. Sears also offers a variety of merchandise and services through its Web sites, sears.com and landsend.com, and a variety of specialty catalogs.

SOURCE: Sears, Roebuck and Co.

CONTACT: Chris Brathwaite of Sears, Roebuck and Co., +1-847-286-4681

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