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United States
Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
ÈAnnual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the Fiscal Year Ended January 28, 2012
or
Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Commission file number 000-51217
SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
Delaware 20-1920798
(State of Incorporation) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
3333 Beverly Road, Hoffman Estates, Illinois 60179
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (847) 286-2500
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
Common Shares, par value $0.01 per share The NASDAQ Stock Market
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ÈNo
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes No È
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 ÈNo
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 ÈNo
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained
herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the Registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by
reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. È
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 ÈAccelerated 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 È
On February 25, 2012, the Registrant had 106,403,841 common shares outstanding. The aggregate market value (based on the closing price
of the Registrant’s common shares for stocks quoted on the NASDAQ Global Select Market) of the Registrant’s common shares owned by
non-affiliates (which are assumed, solely for the purpose of this calculation, to be stockholders other than (i) directors and executive
officers of the Registrant and (ii) any person known by the Registrant to beneficially own five percent or more of the Registrant’s common
shares), as of the last business day of the Registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, was approximately $1.6 billion.
Documents Incorporated By Reference
Part III of this Form 10-K incorporates by reference certain information from the Registrant’s definitive proxy statement relating to our
Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 2, 2012 (the “2012 Proxy Statement”), which will be filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year to which this Form 10-K relates.

Table of contents

  • Page 1
    ... Road, Hoffman Estates, Illinois (Address of principal executive offices) 60179 (Zip Code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (847) 286-2500 Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: Title of each class Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered Common Shares...

  • Page 2
    ... store. There are also 22 Sears Auto Centers operating in Kmart stores. Sears Auto Centers offer a variety of professional automotive repair and maintenance services, as well as a full assortment of automotive accessories. Kmart continues to offer its layaway program, which allows customers to cost...

  • Page 3
    ...styled casual clothing, accessories and footwear for men, women and children, as well as home products and soft luggage. These products are offered through multiple selling channels including landsend.com, one of the leading apparel websites, as well as catalog mailings, and international businesses...

  • Page 4
    ... our searspartsdirect.com website. Smaller items for repair can be brought into Sears Parts & Repair Centers located throughout the United States or into many Sears Full-line, hometown and hardware stores. This business also offers protection agreements, product installation services and Kenmore...

  • Page 5
    ... to Consolidated Financial Statements. Trademarks, Trade Names and Licenses The KMART® and SEARS® trade names, service marks and trademarks, used by us both in the United States and internationally, are material to our retail and other related businesses. We sell proprietary branded merchandise...

  • Page 6
    ... Lowe's are major competitors in relation to our home appliance business, which accounted for approximately 16% of our 2011 and 2010 and 15% of our 2009 reported revenues. Sears Canada competes in Canada with Hudson's Bay Company, other Canadian-based store and online retailers, as well as certain...

  • Page 7
    ... to entry. We compete with a wide variety of retailers, including other department stores, discounters, home improvement stores, appliances and consumer electronics retailers, auto service providers, specialty retailers, wholesale clubs and many other competitors operating on a national, regional or...

  • Page 8
    ..., borrowings under our credit agreements and commercial paper program and access to capital markets. The availability of financing depends on numerous factors, including economic and market conditions, our operating performance, our credit ratings, and lenders' assessments of our prospects and...

  • Page 9
    ... for any other quarter, and comparable store sales for any particular future period may increase or decrease. For more information on our results of operations, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in Item 7 of this report on Form 10-K. We rely...

  • Page 10
    ... amount of judgment is involved in the periodic testing. Failure to achieve sufficient levels of cash flow within each of our reporting units, or sales of our branded products or cash flow generated from operations at individual store locations could result in impairment charges for goodwill and...

  • Page 11
    ... to additional regulatory actions. For a description of current legal proceedings, see Item 3, "Legal Proceedings," as well as Note 18 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this report on Form 10-K. Our pension and postretirement benefit plan obligations are currently underfunded, and we...

  • Page 12
    ...The following table summarizes the locations of our Kmart and Sears Domestic stores at January 28, 2012: Kmart Discount Stores Super Centers Sears Domestic Sears Full-line Essentials/ Mall Stores Grand Stores State/Territory Specialty Stores Alabama ...Alaska ...Arizona ...Arkansas ...California...

  • Page 13
    ... corporate headquarters, distribution center and customer sales/service operations for Lands' End. We also own an 86,000 square foot office building in Troy, Michigan. We operate numerous buying offices throughout the world that procure product internationally, as well as an information technology...

  • Page 14
    ... strategy for global services, sales and marketing for software, and industry operations for Asia Pacific. Mr. D'Ambrosio currently serves as the Non-Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sensus (Bermuda 2) Ltd. and Sensus USA Inc., a clean technology company. Mr. Boire joined the Company...

  • Page 15
    ... the Executive Vice President and General Counsel of ESL Investments, Inc., a private investment firm, and has served in that capacity since February 2011. Mr. Harker has served as a director of Sears Canada since November 2008. Mr. Phelan was elected Senior Vice President, Finance of the Company in...

  • Page 16
    ... of Equity Securities Holdings' common stock is quoted on The NASDAQ Stock Market under the ticker symbol SHLD. There were 15,492 shareholders of record at February 29, 2012. The quarterly high and low sales prices for Holdings' common stock are set forth below. Fiscal Year 2011 Sears Holdings...

  • Page 17
    ... Department Stores Index. The S&P 500 Retailing Index consists of companies included in the S&P 500 Stock Index in the broadly defined retail sector, which includes competing retailers of softlines (apparel and domestics) and hardlines (appliances, electronics and home improvement products), as well...

  • Page 18
    ...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...

  • Page 19
    ... information. The data set forth below should be read in conjunction with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in Item 7 and our Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto in Item 8. dollars in millions, except per share and store data 2011...

  • Page 20
    ... Results Business Segment Results Analysis of Consolidated Financial Condition Contractual Obligations and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements Application of Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information The discussion that follows should be...

  • Page 21
    ... our actions to bring together a unique set of technology and retail assets to deliver a seamless, integrated experience for our Shop Your Way Rewards members and customers-at the store, online, and in the home. At the core of our strategy we are building a deeply engaging membership program, called...

  • Page 22
    ... store sales results for 2011 were calculated based on the 52-week period ended January 28, 2012. Beginning with the first quarter of 2011, we now include in comparable store sales online sales from sears.com and kmart.com shipped directly to customers. These online sales increased 16% for 2011...

  • Page 23
    ... 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...

  • Page 24
    ...Operating income (loss) ...Depreciation and amortization ...Gain on sales of assets ...Before excluded items ...Impairment charges ...Closed store...EBITDA 2010 2009 % To Revenues 2011 2010 2009 Kmart ...Sears Domestic ...Sears Canada ...Total ...information to illustrate the results of operations...

  • Page 25
    ...reported in our Consolidated Statements of Operations during the years 2011, 2010 and 2009. 52 Weeks Ended January 28, 2012 Closed Store Domestic Reserve Gain on Pension and Mark-to-Market Sales... per share data Cost of sales, buying and occupancy impact ...$30,966 $ - Selling and administrative...

  • Page 26
    ...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...

  • Page 27
    ...margins in the home appliance, consumer electronics, and Lands' End categories and declines in home services. Sears Canada's gross margin rate declined 170 basis points in 2011 as a result of clearing inventory, due to an enhanced focus on improving inventory productivity. Selling and Administrative...

  • Page 28
    ... The Great Indoors format and $12 million recognized on the sale of a store in Indiana operated under the Kmart format. Gain on sales of assets for 2010 was impacted by the recognition of a previously deferred gain on the sale of assets. We sold a Sears Auto Center in October 2006, at which time we...

  • Page 29
    ... mainly due to reduced margin rates in home services and appliances. Sears Canada's margin rate declined 180 basis points due to price compression in the appliance and electronics categories, as well as an increase in promotional and clearance markdowns related to a challenging economic environment...

  • Page 30
    ... a $35 million gain recognized on the sale of a Sears Auto Center. Operating income for 2009 included expenses of $301 million related to domestic pension plans, store closings and severance, a $44 million gain recognized by Sears Canada on the sale of its former headquarters, and a $32 million gain...

  • Page 31
    ... with store closings announced during 2011 and 2010, respectively. Kmart's gross margin rate was 22.7% in 2011 and 24.6% in 2010. The decline of 190 basis points was mainly due to higher commodity costs and markdowns in apparel and home, as well as markdowns in consumer electronics. Selling and...

  • Page 32
    ... expenses. Kmart's operating loss for 2011 included expenses related to impairments of $15 million, store closing and severance costs of $76 million as well as a gain of $12 million related to the sale of one store in Indiana. Operating income in 2010 included store closing and severance costs of...

  • Page 33
    ... litigation. Sears Domestic Sears Domestic results and key statistics were as follows: millions, except for number of stores 2011 2010 2009 Merchandise sales and services ...Comparable store sales % ...Cost of sales, buying and occupancy ...Gross margin dollars ...Margin rate ...Selling and...

  • Page 34
    ... in 2011 included a gain of $21 million recognized on the sale of two stores in California operated under The Great Indoors format. The gain on sales of assets in 2010 was 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...

  • Page 35
    ... pension plans and store closings and severance, as well as a gain of $35 million recognized on the sale of a Sears Auto Center. Operating income in 2009 included expenses of $228 million related to domestic pension plans and store closings and severance, as well as a $15 million gain related to...

  • Page 36
    ... Canada Sears Canada, a consolidated, 95%-owned subsidiary of Sears, conducts similar retail operations as Sears Domestic. Sears Canada results and key statistics were as follows: millions, except for number of stores 2011 2010 2009 Merchandise sales and services ...Comparable store sales % ...Cost...

  • Page 37
    ... sales and a decline in margin rate. Sears Canada's margin rate decreased to 30.5% in 2010 from 32.3% in 2009 due to price compression in the appliance and electronics categories, as well as an increase in promotional and clearance markdowns related to a challenging economic environment. Selling...

  • Page 38
    ... securities, floating-rate notes, repurchase agreements and money market funds. Cash amounts held in these short-term investments are readily available to us. Credit card deposits in transit include deposits in transit from banks for payments related to third-party credit card and debit card...

  • Page 39
    ... 2010 and $350 million during 2009. Capital expenditures during 2011 included investments in online initiatives, information technology infrastructure, in-home consultative sales technology, and maintenance for stores and distribution centers. Capital expenditures during 2010 included investments...

  • Page 40
    ... shareholders in connection with these dividends. For further information, see Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. We repurchased $183 million, $394 million and $424 million of our common stock pursuant to our common share repurchase program in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively...

  • Page 41
    ...that offer various credit protection services to our vendors. The topics discussed have included such areas as pricing, payment terms and ongoing business arrangements. As of the date of this report, we had not experienced any significant disruption in our access to merchandise or our operations. At...

  • Page 42
    ... 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 is subject...

  • Page 43
    ...Finance Committee of the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase, subject to market conditions and other factors, of up to $500 million of our outstanding indebtedness in open market or privately negotiated transactions. Our wholly owned finance subsidiary, Sears Roebuck Acceptance Corp. ("SRAC...

  • Page 44
    ...-company Securities As noted in Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, we have numerous types of insurable risks, including workers' compensation, product and general liability, automobile, warranty, and asbestos and environmental claims. In addition, as discussed in Note 1, we sell...

  • Page 45
    ... lease obligations relate to certain store leases of previously divested Sears businesses. We remain secondarily liable if the primary obligor defaults. Application of Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates In preparing the financial statements, certain accounting policies require considerable...

  • Page 46
    ...third-party insurance and/or self-insurance for a number of risks including workers' compensation, asbestos and environmental, automobile, warranty, product and general liability claims. General liability costs relate primarily to litigation that arises from store operations. Self-insurance reserves...

  • Page 47
    ... but not yet reported. Our estimated claim amounts are discounted using a rate with a duration that approximates the duration of our self-insurance reserve portfolio. Our liability reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheets represents an estimate of the ultimate cost of claims incurred at the...

  • Page 48
    ... 2016. A one-percentage-point change in the assumed health care cost trend rate would have the following effects on the postretirement liability: millions 1 percentage-point Increase 1 percentage-point Decrease Effect on total service and interest cost components ...Effect on postretirement benefit...

  • Page 49
    ... relate to Kmart's acquisition of Sears, Roebuck and Co. in March 2005. We allocated goodwill, which is defined as the total purchase price less the fair value of all assets and liabilities acquired, to reporting units at the acquisition date. As required by accounting standards, we perform annual...

  • Page 50
    ..., impact the related impairment charge. At the 2011 annual impairment test date, the conclusion that no indication of goodwill impairment existed for the remaining reporting units would not have changed had the test been conducted assuming: 1) a 100 basis point increase in the discount rate used to...

  • Page 51
    ... See Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding new accounting pronouncements. CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION Certain statements made in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and in other public announcements by us contain forward-looking...

  • Page 52
    ...as part of our accounts receivable balance. We had $5 million cash collateral posted under this contract at January 28, 2012. Counterparties We actively manage the risk of nonpayment by our derivative counterparties by limiting our exposure to individual counterparties based on credit ratings, value...

  • Page 53
    ...January 28, 2012, January 29, 2011 and January 30, 2010 ...Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements ...Schedule II-Valuation and Qualifying Accounts ...Management's Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting ...Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm ... 54 55 56 57...

  • Page 54
    SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION Consolidated Statements of Operations millions, except per share data 2011 2010 2009 REVENUES Merchandise sales and services ...COSTS AND EXPENSES Cost of sales, buying and occupancy ...Selling and administrative ...Depreciation and amortization ...Impairment charges ......

  • Page 55
    SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION Consolidated Balance Sheets millions, except per share data January 28, 2012 January 29, 2011 ASSETS Current assets Cash and cash equivalents ...Restricted cash ...Accounts receivable ...Merchandise inventories ...Prepaid expenses and other current assets ...Current ...

  • Page 56
    ... ...Debt issuance costs ...Purchase of Sears Canada shares ...Sears Canada dividends paid to minority shareholders ...Purchase of treasury stock ...Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities-continuing operations ...Net cash used in financing activities-discontinued operations ...Net cash...

  • Page 57
    ...Stock awards ...Purchase of Sears Canada shares ...Sears Canada dividend paid to minority shareholders ...Shares repurchased ...Associate stock purchase ...Other ...Balance at January 29, 2011... (183) 5 (74) (2) $ 4,341 $(5,981) $10,005 See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. 57

  • Page 58
    ... HOLDINGS CORPORATION Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements NOTE 1-SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Nature of Operations, Consolidation and Basis of Presentation Sears Holdings Corporation ("Holdings") is the parent company of Kmart Holding Corporation ("Kmart") and Sears, Roebuck and...

  • Page 59
    ... is comprised of various vendor-related and customer-related accounts receivable, including receivables related to our pharmacy operations. Merchandise Inventories Merchandise inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market. For Kmart and Sears Domestic, cost is primarily determined using the...

  • Page 60
    SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued) inventory valuation at cost, as well as resulting gross margins. The methodologies utilized by us in our application of the RIM are consistent for all periods presented. Such methodologies include the development of ...

  • Page 61
    ... we cease to use the location. Goodwill, Trade Names, Other Intangible Assets and Related Impairments Trade names acquired as part of the Merger account for the majority of our intangible assets recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The majority of these trade name assets, such as Kenmore...

  • Page 62
    SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued) reporting unit. The projection uses management's best estimates of economic and market conditions over the projected period, including growth rates in sales, costs, estimates of future expected changes in operating ...

  • Page 63
    ...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. Changes in the fair value of these contracts are recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as a component...

  • Page 64
    ...recognized when the merchandise is delivered to the customer. Revenues from product installation and repair services are recognized at the time the services are provided. Revenues from the sale of service contracts and the related direct acquisition costs are deferred and amortized over the lives of...

  • Page 65
    SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued) obligations have been met. We sell gift cards to customers at our retail stores and through our direct to customer operations. The gift cards generally do not have expiration dates. Revenues from gift cards are ...

  • Page 66
    ... the complexity and costs of testing goodwill for impairment, but otherwise is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial position, annual results of operations or cash flows. Presentation of Comprehensive Income In June 2011, the FASB issued an accounting standards update...

  • Page 67
    ... a material impact on our consolidated financial position, annual results of operations or cash flows. NOTE 2-SEARS CANADA 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...

  • Page 68
    SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued) 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 ...

  • Page 69
    ...Finance Committee of the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase, subject to market conditions and other factors, of up to $500 million of our outstanding indebtedness in open market or privately negotiated transactions. Our wholly owned finance subsidiary, Sears Roebuck Acceptance Corp. ("SRAC...

  • Page 70
    ... 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 is subject...

  • Page 71
    ...-company Securities As noted in Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, we have numerous types of insurable risks, including workers' compensation, product and general liability, automobile, warranty, and asbestos and environmental claims. In addition, as discussed in Note 1, we sell...

  • Page 72
    SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued) In accordance with applicable insurance regulations, Sears Re holds marketable securities to support the insurance coverage it provides. Sears utilizes two securitization structures to issue specific securities in ...

  • Page 73
    SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued) Sears Canada Hedges of Merchandise Purchases Sears Canada had no outstanding foreign currency collar contracts at January 28, 2012. Sears Canada had entered into foreign currency collar contracts with a total notional ...

  • Page 74
    ... posted under these contracts is recorded as part of our accounts receivable balance. We had $5 million and $3 million of cash collateral posted under these contracts at January 28, 2012 and January 29, 2011, respectively. Counterparty Credit Risk We actively manage the risk of nonpayment by our...

  • Page 75
    SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued) Accounts receivable, merchandise payables, short-term borrowings, accrued liabilities and domestic cash and cash equivalents are reflected in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at cost, which approximates fair value due ...

  • Page 76
    .... Substantially all full-time Canadian employees, as well as some part-time employees, are eligible to participate in contributory defined benefit plans. Pension benefits are based on length of service, compensation and, in certain plans, social security or other benefits. Funding for the...

  • Page 77
    SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued) In addition to providing pension benefits, Sears provides domestic and Canadian employees and retirees certain medical benefits. These benefits provide access to medical plans, with Company subsidies for certain ...

  • Page 78
    ... to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued) Postretirement Obligations SHC Domestic 2011 Sears Canada SHC Domestic 2010 Sears Canada millions Total Total Change in accumulated postretirement benefit obligation: Beginning balance ...Benefits earned during the period ...Interest cost ...Plan...

  • Page 79
    ...net cost are as follows: 2011 SHC Sears Domestic Canada 2010 SHC Sears Domestic Canada 2009 SHC Sears Domestic Canada Pension benefits: Discount Rate ...Return of plan assets ...Rate of compensation increases ...Postretirement benefits: Discount Rate ...Return of plan assets ...Rate of compensation...

  • Page 80
    ...HOLDINGS CORPORATION Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued) For 2012 and beyond, the domestic weighted-average health care cost trend rates used in measuring the postretirement benefit expense are a 9% trend rate in 2012 to an ultimate trend rate of 7% in 2016. A one-percentage-point...

  • Page 81
    SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued) The Sears Canada plans' target allocation is determined by taking into consideration the amounts and timing of projected liabilities, our funding policies and expected returns on various asset classes. At January 28, ...

  • Page 82
    SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued) Fair Value of Pension and Postretirement Benefit Plan Assets Level 1 cash equivalents and other short-term investments, common and preferred stock, pooled equity funds and fixed income securities are valued using a ...

  • Page 83
    SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued) Sears Canada millions Investment Assets at Fair Value at January 28, 2012 Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Cash equivalents and short-term investments ...Equity securities U.S. companies ...International companies ......

  • Page 84
    SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued) short-term investment funds are stated at net asset value (NAV) as determined by the investment managers. Investment managers value the underlying investments of the funds at amortized cost, which approximates fair ...

  • Page 85
    SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued) A rollforward of our Level 3 assets each year is as follows: January 29, Net Realized and Net Transfers January 28, 2011 Unrealized Sales and Into/(Out of) 2012 Balance Gains/(Losses) Purchases Settlements Level 3 ...

  • Page 86
    SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued) NOTE 8-EARNINGS PER SHARE The following tables set forth the components used to calculate basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share from continuing operation. Restricted stock awards for 2011 were not included in the...

  • Page 87
    ... to the market price of our common stock on the date of grant. We do not currently have a program that provides for restricted stock awards on an annual basis. Changes in restricted stock awards for 2011, 2010, and 2009 were as follows: 2011 WeightedAverage Fair Value on Date Shares of Grant 2010...

  • Page 88
    SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued) Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss The following table displays the components of accumulated other comprehensive loss: millions January 28, January 29, 2012 2011 January 30, 2010 Pension and postretirement ...

  • Page 89
    SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued) 2011 2010 2009 Effective tax rate reconciliation Federal income tax rate (benefit rate) ...State and local tax (benefit) net of federal tax benefit ...Federal and state valuation allowance ...Nondeductible goodwill ...

  • Page 90
    SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued) On the basis of this analysis and the significant negative objective evidence, for the year ended January 28, 2012, a valuation allowance of $2.1 billion has been added to record only the portion of the deferred tax ...

  • Page 91
    ... Canada sold its headquarters office building and adjacent land in Toronto, Ontario for proceeds of $81 million Canadian, net of closing costs. Sears Canada leased back the property under a leaseback agreement through March 2009, at which time it finished its relocation of all head office operations...

  • Page 92
    SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued) operating and non-operating properties. These transactions may, individually or in the aggregate, result in material proceeds or outlays of cash. In addition, we review leases that will expire in the short-term in ...

  • Page 93
    SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued) Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by segment during years 2010 and 2011 are as follows: millions Sears Domestic Sears Canada Total Balance, January 30, 2010 and January 29, 2011: Goodwill ...2011 activity: ...

  • Page 94
    ... Accounting Policies. NOTE 13-STORE CLOSING CHARGES, SEVERANCE COSTS AND IMPAIRMENTS Store Closings and Severance We made the decision to close 74, 11 and 43 stores in our Kmart segment and 173, 15 and 19 stores in our Sears Domestic segment during 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Within our Sears...

  • Page 95
    ... HOLDINGS CORPORATION Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued) Store closing cost accruals of $256 million and $79 million at January 28, 2012 and January 29, 2011, respectively, were as follows: Severance Costs Lease Termination Costs Other Charges millions Markdowns Total Balance...

  • Page 96
    ... 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...

  • Page 97
    ... for automotive parts and accessories and $0.6 million for subscription-based auto repair information. ESL owns 9.7% of the outstanding common stock of AutoZone (based on publicly available data as of January 23, 2012). During 2011, ESL and its affiliates purchased unsecured commercial paper issued...

  • Page 98
    ...The merchandise and service categories are as follows: (i) Hardlines-consists of appliances, consumer electronics, lawn and garden, tools and hardware, automotive parts, household goods, toys, housewares and sporting goods; (ii) Apparel and Soft Home-includes women's, men's, kids, footwear, jewelry...

  • Page 99
    ... Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued) 2010 Sears Sears Domestic Canada Sears Holdings millions Kmart Merchandise sales and services Hardlines ...Apparel and Soft Home ...Food and Drug ...Service and Other ...Total merchandise sales and services ...Costs and expenses Cost of sales, buying...

  • Page 100
    SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued) 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, ...

  • Page 101
    SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued) NOTE 19-QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED) First Quarter 2011 Second Third Quarter Quarter Fourth Quarter millions, except per share data Revenues ...Cost of sales, buying and occupancy ...Selling and ...

  • Page 102
    ...CORPORATION Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued) Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet January 28, 2012 Guarantor Subsidiaries NonGuarantor Subsidiaries millions Parent Eliminations Consolidated Current assets Cash and cash equivalents ...$ Intercompany receivables ...Accounts...

  • Page 103
    SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued) Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet January 29, 2011 Guarantor Subsidiaries NonGuarantor Subsidiaries millions Parent Eliminations Consolidated Current assets Cash and cash equivalents ...$ 140 Intercompany ...

  • Page 104
    ... Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued) Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income For the Year Ended January 28, 2012 millions Parent Guarantor Subsidiaries NonGuarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated Merchandise sales and services ...Cost of sales, buying and occupancy ...Selling...

  • Page 105
    ...CORPORATION Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued) Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income For the Year Ended January 30, 2010 Guarantor Subsidiaries NonGuarantor Subsidiaries millions Parent Eliminations Consolidated Merchandise sales and services ...$ Cost of sales, buying...

  • Page 106
    ... in short-term borrowings, primarily 90 days or less ...Debt issuance costs ...Purchase of Sears Canada shares ...Purchase of treasury stock ...Net borrowing with Affiliates ...Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities-continuing operations ...Net cash provided by (used in) financing...

  • Page 107
    ... 90 days or less ...Debt issuance costs ...Purchase of Sears Canada shares ...Sears Canada dividends paid to minority shareholders ...Purchase of treasury stock ...Net borrowing with Affiliates ...Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities-continuing operations ...Net cash provided by (used...

  • Page 108
    ...operations ...Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities ...Stock issued under executive compensation plans ...Repayments of long-term debt ...Decrease in short-term borrowings, primarily 90 days or less ...Debt issuance costs ...Purchase of Sears Canada shares ...Purchase of treasury stock...

  • Page 109
    ... 23, 2012, the company entered into an agreement with General Growth Properties to sell eleven properties (6 owned and 5 leased) for $270 million in net cash proceeds. We expect to close this transaction in April 2012. We also announced our plan to separate Sears Hometown and Outlet businesses...

  • Page 110
    Sears Holdings Corporation Schedule II-Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Years 2011, 2010 and 2009 Balance at beginning of period Additions charged to costs and expenses millions (Deductions) Balance at end of period Allowance for Doubtful Accounts(1): 2011 ...2010 ...2009 ...Allowance for ...

  • Page 111
    ... maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the Company's principal executive and principal financial officers and effected by the Company's board of directors, management and other...

  • Page 112
    ... PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Sears Holdings Corporation We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Sears Holdings Corporation and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of January 28, 2012 and January 29, 2011, and the related consolidated...

  • Page 113
    ... considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, present fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein. Also, in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting at January...

  • Page 114
    ... over financial reporting. See Management's Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting and the Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm included in Item 8 of this Report, which reports are incorporated herein by this reference. Item 9B. Other Information Not applicable...

  • Page 115
    ... the 2012 Proxy Statement. See also "Equity Compensation Plan Information" in Item 5 of this Report for a discussion of securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans. Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence Information regarding certain...

  • Page 116
    ... separate financial statements and summarized financial information of majority-owned subsidiaries not consolidated and of 50% or less owned persons have been omitted because they are not required pursuant to conditions set forth in Rules 3-09 and 1-02(w) of Regulation S-X. All other schedules have...

  • Page 117
    ..., thereunto duly authorized. SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION By: Name: Title: /s/ ROBERT A. RIECKER Robert A. Riecker Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer Date: March 14, 2012 Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by...

  • Page 118
    ... (File No. 000-51217)). Security Agreement, dated as of October 12, 2010, among Sears Holdings Corporation, the guarantors party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Collateral Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K, dated October...

  • Page 119
    ... of Credit Agreement, dated as of January 20, 2011, among Sears Holdings Corporation, Sears Roebuck Acceptance Corp., Sears, Roebuck and Co., Kmart Corporation, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Issuing Bank (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Registrant's Current Report on...

  • Page 120
    ... Sears Holdings Corporation Annual Incentive Plan, restated effective April 27, 2011 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended April 30, 2011 (File No. 000-51217)).** Revised Form of Executive Severance/Non-Compete Agreement...

  • Page 121
    ...Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. The following financial information from the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal quarter ended January 29, 2011, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language) and furnished electronically herewith: (i) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for...

  • Page 122
    ... treatment. The omitted material has been filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. (3) 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...