Filed by Sears, Roebuck and Co.
Pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities
Act of 1933 and deemed filed pursuant to
Rule 14a-12 of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934
Subject Company:
Sears Holdings Corporation
(Registration No. 333-120954)
This filing contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the benefits of the business combination transaction involving Kmart Holding Corporation and Sears, Roebuck and Co., including cost and revenue synergies of the proposed transaction, expected accretion to earnings, future financial and operating results, the combined companys plans, objectives, expectations and intentions and other statements that are not historical facts. Such statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of Kmarts and Sears management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results, performance or achievements may be materially different from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements.
The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements: the ability to obtain governmental approvals of the transaction on the proposed terms and schedule; the failure of Kmart and Sears stockholders to approve the transaction; the risk that the businesses will not be integrated successfully; failure to quickly realize cost-savings from the transaction as a result of technical, logistical, competitive and other factors; disruption from the transaction making it more difficult to maintain relationships with clients, employees or suppliers; competitive conditions in retail and related services industries; changes in consumer confidence, tastes, preferences and spending; the availability and level of consumer debt; the successful execution of, and customer response to, strategic initiatives, including the Full-line Store strategy and the conversion and integration of the Kmart stores and other new store locations; the pace of growth in store locations, which may be higher or lower than anticipated; the possibility that new business and strategic options for one or more business segments will be identified, potentially including selective acquisitions, dispositions, restructurings, joint ventures and partnerships; trade restrictions, tariffs, and other factors potentially affecting the ability to find qualified vendors and access products in an efficient manner; the ability to successfully implement initiatives to improve inventory management capabilities; the outcome of pending legal proceedings; anticipated cash flow; social and political conditions such as war, political unrest and terrorism or natural disasters; the possibility of negative investment returns in any pension plans; changes in interest rates; volatility in financial markets; changes in debt ratings, credit spreads and cost of funds; the possibility of interruptions in systematically accessing the public debt markets; general economic conditions and normal business uncertainty; and the impact of seasonable buying patterns, which are difficult to forecast with certainty. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the time first made, and no undertaking has been made to update or revise them as more information becomes available. Additional factors that could cause Kmarts and Sears results to differ materially from those de-
scribed in the forward-looking statements can be found in the 2003 Annual Reports on Forms 10-K of Kmart and Sears filed with the SEC and available at the SECs Internet site (http://www.sec.gov).
Stockholders are urged to read the joint proxy statement/prospectus regarding the proposed transaction when it becomes available, because it will contain important information. Stockholders will be able to obtain a free copy of the joint proxy statement/prospectus, as well as other filings containing information about Kmart and Sears, without charge, at the SECs Internet site (http://www.sec.gov). Copies of the joint proxy statement/prospectus and the filings with the SEC that will be incorporated by reference in the joint proxy statement/prospectus can also be obtained, without charge, by directing a request to Kmart Holding Corporation, 3100 West Big Beaver Road, Troy, Michigan, 48084, Attention: Office of the Secretary, or to Sears, Roebuck and Co., 3333 Beverly Road, Hoffman Estates, Illinois, 60179, Attention: Office of the Secretary.
The respective directors and executive officers of Kmart and Sears and other persons may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in respect of the proposed transaction. Information regarding Kmarts directors and executive officers is available in its proxy statement filed with the SEC by Kmart on April 8, 2004, and information regarding Sears directors and executive officers is available in its proxy statement filed with the SEC by Sears on March 22, 2004. Other information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be contained the joint proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC when they become available.
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Corporate Strategic Leadership Team Talking Points
| Exact treatment to be determined | |
| Information about your restricted stock awards is not available on-line, please contact Angie Doherty (6x1321) in Executive Compensation |
| Stock options will be cashed out when the proposed merger closes. |
| For additional details please refer to the Qs & As on the intranet |
| Sears will not be granting stock options in 2005 |
| Vested options may be exercised before the close of the proposed merger |
| For information on your stock option awards, access Smith Barney through 88sears.com or by calling 1-888-88sears |
| The changes to the pension plan announced in January of 2004 will take effect as planned on Jan 1st 2005 |
| Associates vested in the pension plan will not lose any earned benefits |
| Participants in the 401(k) plan will be able to make the cash/stock election with respect to their vested and unvested plan shares |
| 2004 annual incentive will be paid under the terms of the current plan |
| We will implement the 2005 annual incentive plan, which will be cancelled when the merger closes, as required by the merger agreement |
| Details regarding the incentive programs post close are being developed |
| 2005 annual merit process will take place as planned. However, certain officers will not be included in the merit process prior to close, as required by the merger agreement |
| Detailed communications to the individuals affected by this restriction are being developed |
Health Benefits |
| The changes announced during open enrollment will take effect as planned |
Many details regarding the merger are still to be finalized. We will do our best to provide additional information to you on a timely basis.
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In connection with the proposed transaction, Sears Holdings Corporation has filed a Registration Statement on Form S-4 with the SEC (SEC File Number 333-120954), which includes a joint proxy statement prospectus that, when finalized, will be used to solicit proxies for the proposed business combination. Please read the final joint proxy statement prospectus when it becomes available because it will contain important information. The proposed directors and executive officers of Sears Holdings, the respective officers and directors of Sears, Roebuck and Kmart and other persons may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies with respect to the proposed transaction matters. Information regarding such individuals is included in Sears Roebucks proxy statements and Annual Reports on Form 10-K previously filed with the SEC, and in the above-described Form S-4. Investors may obtain a free copy of the proxy statements and other relevant documents at the SECs website at http://www.sec.gov .
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This document contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from expected results. Risks and uncertainties include the business combination with Kmart not closing; failure to quickly realize cost-savings from the transaction as a result of technical, logistical, competitive and other factors; competitive conditions in retail; changes in consumer confidence, tastes, preferences and spending; the availability of consumer debt; the successful execution of, and customer response to, our strategic initiatives, including the Full-line Store strategy and the conversion and integration of the Kmart stores and other new store locations; the pace of growth in our store locations; the possibility that we will identify new business and strategic options; the outcome of pending legal proceedings; anticipated cash flow; changes in our debt ratings and cost of funds; general economic conditions and normal business uncertainty. We intend the forward-looking statements to speak only as of the time first made and we do not undertake to update or revise them as more information becomes available.