October Comps Inch-up 1.9% at Sears

Sears, Roebuck and Co. comparable domestic store revenues increased 1.9 percent for the four weeks ended Oct. 30, 2004. Total domestic store revenues were $1.90 billion for the four-week period in October 2004, up 0.1 percent compared with the four weeks ended Nov. 1, 2003.

“October comparable store sales met our expectations for improved performance,” said Sears Chairman and CEO Alan J. Lacy. “We were particularly pleased with our home appliance business, which showed strong sales growth due to customer response to innovative new products. We were also pleased to see a sales increase in the home electronics business following our reset of the department, which was just completed in September.”

As expected, apparel sales were down slightly compared with last October. Specialty retail revenues were up in the mid-single digit range, with sales gains achieved at Sears Dealer Stores, The Great Indoors and Orchard Supply Hardware.

     Sears, Roebuck and Co.
     Domestic Store Revenues & Comparable Store Revenues
     (*According to National Retail Federation Fiscal Calendar.)
     (**A store is considered to be comparable at the beginning of the 13th
      month after the store is opened.)
                           Fiscal Period Ending            Percent Change
                       October 30,        November 1,      All       Comp
                          2004               2003         Stores    Stores**
     October         $1,897,100,000     $1,894,800,000     0.1%      1.9%
     Year-to-Date*  $18,660,700,000    $19,314,200,000    -3.4%     -2.1%