Sears Adopts OpenID Technology

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill., July 1 IL-SearsSocialMedia
First Major Retailer to Implement the Forward Looking Technology

Over 1 Million MySears and MyKmart Users Can Now Integrate Directly To Major Social Media Sites

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill., July 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Sears Holdings Corp. announced today that it is the first major retailer to launch the Open ID platform for Sears Communities, which will connect over 1 million monthly visitors via MySears and MyKmart sites to major social media.

The OpenID universal login standard enables visitors to consolidate their Internet identity by providing them a single login for all of their online interactions. This is the first step toward enabling customers to log in to Sears communities using their social IDs rather than set up new accounts. This covers the most popular, familiar web sites such as Google, Facebook, MySpace, Yahoo! and Twitter.

Through this new innovation, users in the Sears and Kmart communities can use the ID and password they already have to write product reviews and can share information on products, services and solutions. Future updates planned with the OpenID platform will allow users in the communities to share their posts and product reviews with friends easily via Facebook.

"We're constantly looking for ways to stay innovative in our online initiatives by identifying and implementing technologies that help our users navigate our communities with ease," says Rob Harles, Sears' vice president of community. "Our adoption of the OpenID technology helps simplify our customers' online experience and ultimately helps us meet our goal of ensuring our customers have the most efficient shopping experience possible."

MySears and MyKmart community sites are online destinations that give consumers a variety of ways to share in-depth information about products, helping make their purchase decisions easier. Visitors to MySears and MyKmart have the opportunity to write product reviews, post comments on the reviews of others, participate in discussion boards and post ideas for the community to vote on. Customers also have access to special offers and coupons in return for their participation in the community.

About Sears Holdings

Sears Holdings Corporation is the nation's fifth largest broadline retailer with approximately 3,900 full-line and specialty retail stores in the United States and Canada. Sears Holdings is the leading home appliance retailer as well as a leader in tools, lawn and garden, home electronics and automotive repair and maintenance. Key proprietary brands include Kenmore, Craftsman and DieHard, and a broad apparel offering, including such well-known labels as Lands' End, Jaclyn Smith and Joe Boxer, as well as the Apostrophe and Covington brands. It also has Martha Stewart Everyday products, which are offered exclusively in the U.S. by Kmart. We are the nation's largest provider of home services, with more than 12 million service calls made annually. Sears Holdings Corporation operates through its subsidiaries, including Sears, Roebuck and Co. and Kmart Corporation. For more information, visit Sears Holdings' website at http://www.searsholdings.com.



SOURCE Sears Holdings Corporation