Look out for lower prices at Sears Canada

Today, Calvin McDonald announced that Sears Canada will be launching a dramatic and wildly ambitious savings initiative that will offer the kind of savings Canadian consumers expect from their retail experience.

“Our customers are demanding great value every day of the week,” said McDonald, President and Chief Executive Officer, Sears Canada Inc. “The prices now offered at Sears are what Canadians expect from a company committed to providing value day-in and day-out. We also know Canadians love sales, and Sears will continue to offer sale prices and time-limited special promotions that will surprise and delight customers.”

McDonald is not going to have a hard time delighting his customers; these proposed adjustments are permanent and encompass a total of 5,000 items store-wide, with savings as high as $300 in some cases.

In addition to the aforementioned 5,000 items, there will be new weekly 'WOW' prices, with the end goal of giving customers more for less and without sacrificing the quality Sears is known for.

Not only will this level the retail battlefield of Sault Ste Marie significtantly, it will also help draw attention to Sault Ste. Marie's downtown core (and save many Saultites litres upon litres of precious, expensive gasoline) while simulatneously offering more shopping options.

Divert Coordinator Amanda Hiscoe is excited by these wallet-saving plans, not only because they help customers keep their money in the bank but also for competitive edge Sears will enjoy against Wal-Mart which is moving in to the opposite end of the Station Mall.

So, in this veritable sandwich of retail giants, where Saultites take their paycheques might not be as clear a decision as it has been in the past.

The full text of a new release from Sears Canada follows

*************************

Sears Canada Lowers Prices on over 5,000 Items

Items reduced in every department across the store!

TORONTO – (February 16, 2012) – Sears Canada Inc. (TSX: SCC) announced today that it has lowered regular prices on over 5,000 items, an initiative to offer Canadians better value every day across every department in every store.

“Our customers are demanding great value every day of the week,” said Calvin McDonald, President and Chief Executive Officer, Sears Canada Inc. “The prices now offered at Sears are what Canadians expect from a company committed to providing value day-in and day-out. We also know Canadians love sales, and Sears will continue to offer sale prices and time-limited special promotions that will surprise and delight customers.”

This will be the first significant change customers will see as a result of the transformation undertaken by the company.

In addition to the lower regular prices and ongoing promotions, Sears is introducing weekly specially-priced must-have WOW items.

In-store merchandising will align more directly to what is promoted in the flyers.

In order to better compete in a complex and ever-changing retail industry, the company is committed to getting the value right for its customers – by delivering the right products in the right quantities at the right prices.

As always, customers purchasing major appliances, mattresses or furniture items also have the comfort of the Sears Price Protection Plus guarantee.

“Sears has a history of being known for great value across the store every day,” continued Mr. McDonald, “but we need to do this in a way that offers a better shopping experience. We invite Canadians coast to coast to come in and see the difference. We believe they’ll be pleasantly impressed.”

New signing has been introduced to help Sears customers find key items and this week’s Sears flyer includes an introductory message from Mr. McDonald and a broad selection of products that serve as examples of the Company’s new pricing initiative.

Here are some examples of lowered regular prices:

Mens Levis 505,516, 550, and Point Zero Jeans - Now $49.99, Was $80-$95
Men’s Dockers Signature Casual Pants - Now $49.99, Was $75
Women’s Jessica Pointelle Henley sweater - Now $29.99, Was $39.99
Top Selling Boxed Bra styles by Warners, Vogue, Wonderbra - Now $19.98 and $24.98, Was $32.00 to $42.25
Pyrex Metal Bakeware - Now $7.97 - $12.97, Was $11.99-15.99
Keurig Elite Single Serve Coffee Brewer - Now $119.97, Was $149.99
ColorMates Towels (Hand, Bath, Bathsheet, etc.) - Now $7.99-27.99, Was $11.99-$39.99
Everlast Pilates 3-pack Stretch Bands - Now $14.97, Was $19.99
Kenmore Easy Clean coil range - Now $399.97, Was $499.99
Canadian made Taurus Sofa - Now $799.97, Was $1099.99
Natuzzi Editions Sicily All Leather Sofa - Now $999.97, Was $1599.99
Craftsman Evolv 18V Drill Driver Kit - Now 99.99, Was $129.99
Briggs 21 HP Platinum Tight-Turn Yard Tractor - Now $1,699.97, Was $1999.99

In addition to over 5,000 lower prices, great promotions and discounted sales, and the outstanding value built in to every weekly WOW item, Sears customers also have the peace of mind that comes with Sears exclusive Price Protection Plus.

Price Protection Plus means that if Sears customers find a major appliance, mattress or furniture item they’ve purchased for less at any Canadian competitor up to 60 days after purchase, Sears will match and beat the difference by 10 percent.

Details are in store.

Sears Canada is a multi-channel retailer with a network that includes 196 corporate stores, 285 hometown dealer stores, 31 home services showrooms, over 1,700 catalogue merchandise pick-up locations, 108 Sears Travel offices and a nationwide home maintenance, repair, and installation network.

The company also publishes Canada’s most extensive general merchandise catalogue and offers shopping online.

*************************