Kmart's Lewis Succeeds Lacy As Sears' CEO
By Alan Wolf -- TWICE, 9/19/2005
Hoffman Estates, Ill. — Aylwin Lewis, formerly president/CEO of Kmart, will succeed Alan Lacy as president/CEO of Sears Holdings effective Sept. 30 as part of the chains' ongoing consolidation.
Lacy will continue to serve as vice chairman, and will work directly with chairman Edward Lampert on merger integration and strategic issues, the company said.
Lampert will also assume a more hands-on role in Sears Holdings' operations by directing the company's marketing, merchandising and design functions, and its e-commerce and Lands' End businesses.
Effective with his promotion, Lewis will be responsible for the combined company's 3,900 stores, plus home services, finance, legal, supply chain, information technology and human resources. His former Kmart post will not be filled.
The move represents a further step toward the consolidation of Sears' and Kmart's operations. To date, the integration efforts have included the elimination of about 1,400 positions between the retailers' combined home office functions, and the relocation of 513 personnel from Kmart headquarters.
The company also plans to convert about 400 Kmart stores to its new Sears Essentials format over the next two to three years.
Lacy, a former Sears chief financial officer, had served as the company's chairman and president/CEO since 2000. He has recently been under pressure from Sears' shareholders and financial analysts to improve the chain's lackluster performance, and for his now-controversial $1.9 billion cash acquisition of Lands' End.
Lewis joined Kmart last year from fast food conglomerate Yum! Brands where he was president and chief multi-branding and operating officer.
“Alan, Aylwin and I believe these changes will achieve greater clarity in our operating management and align this corporate structure with our vision of Sears Holdings,” Lampert said. “Our goal is to build one company with multiple ways of connecting with our customers, including our various store formats, online offerings, service relationships and credit products. Alan will continue to make substantial contributions to Sears Holdings and to provide his leadership and judgment on our merger integration opportunities and strategic issues.
“We have made rapid progress in integrating the two companies,” Lampert continued. “This is the next logical step in the transformation of the company into a more customer-focused organization. Sears Holdings has the potential to be a great retailer, and we are striving to create a great retail experience for consumers wherever and however they choose to shop. Our focus will be the customer.”
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To Whom It May Concern:
I''ve been a satisfied customer of Sears for many years and spent a great deal of money with your store here in Waterford CT. Recently, I treated myself to a tanzanite ring, approx. 1.40 carats and it wasn''t easy because in the last two years I''ve become disabled. This ring brought great joy. It was explained to me that the wise thing to do was to carry Sears Insurance should anything happen to the ring. The young girl said that meant even if it got scratched. I felt secure until I had taken it with other jewelry to a store that was offering a deal on resetting. I was a day early and took everything with me. When I got home the ring was gone. I am not well but I became sick. I remembered the insurance and I went to Sears thanking my stars I had taken it. I told the girl what happened and I started crying, I''m over 60 and I''ve wanted one my whole life. She was so kind but when the manager came over she said there was nothing they could do. They could only replace the stone. I said fine, I''ll buy another setting, just please replace the stone. She said no. I would have to have to old setting. I told her it was probably stolen at another store and the stone was the most important part. Please call someone, I''ll pay for the setting, I just want my stone, I''m heart broken. She appeared very cold and said she would not call anyone, that''s the way it is. Sorry. When she left, the young girl said this isn''t right, make sure you write to someone to see if they can help you. I was shaking so bad and I was using a cane this young girl was so helpful. Can you do something for me? Is there someone who can help me?
Gayle H. Blair - 2007-14-8 15:31:00 EDT -
I have notified custrel@customerservice.sears.com
by "E" mail on 5-19-2007 in ref.to our washer problems and told them we have a bad lemon.and also
sent another on 6-10-2007 an another on 7-11-2007.
tracking numbers are UT20070703 - 0000002531 also
UT20070711 -0000003778.They said they would forward
My "E" mail to the recovery department,who will assist me."WHEN"?? I have been a customer of yours for over 65
years.I hope your new management is an improvement ???
John F Schwartz - 2007-2-8 17:24:00 EDT -
On 2/04 I purchased a Kenmore Clothes Washer from Sears. A few months after the purchase the timer went out. A few months after that the washing machine started to leak oil, and a new gearcase was installed. And again a few months later the whole transmission went out and needed to be replaced. I had a service agreement during this time, however, I was informed by the last repairman that I shouldn''''t continue the service agreement as nothing else could possibly go wrong. Well, he was wrong, my washer has broken for the 4th or 5th time. This is unacceptable and I would like someone to contact me regarding a refund for this machine. I have owned Kenmore washers and dryers my whole life and can not believe this one didn''''t even last 3 months without a repair. I am a very unhappy customer that will NEVER buy a KENMORE AGAIN!
Karon De Silva - 2007-11-7 16:40:00 EDT
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