corporate info

TORONTO, Nov 08, 2004 (Canada NewsWire via COMTEX) -- 'Tis that time of the year again as people get ready to put a smile on children's faces with the latest and greatest toys from Sears this holiday season including big favourites, Dora the Explorer and Bob the Builder. There is also renewed interest in old favourites like Barbie, Polly Pocket and action figures as well as new electronic and interactive toys that will stimulate the creativity and musical talent in every child. Whether for curious toddlers or young singing stars, Sears has the hot items kids of all ages want and will enjoy, including a number of exclusives.

"Children are the most fun to shop for during the holiday season", says Michael Johnson, Toy Buyer, Sears Canada Inc. "Our goal is to help shoppers find the toys that will satisfy every kid on their list and we've done just that with our list of the top toys for 2004."

To help shoppers choose from the thousands of toys available, Sears has put together a list of this season's hottest toys, in no particular order, sure to delight all the children on your shopping list:

Dora the Explorer(TM) Talking House(TM) (3 yrs. & up)

Retail: $79.99

Children can explore Dora's house as it opens and transforms to reveal a second floor with seven areas which activate sounds and music as well as English and Spanish phrases when the doorbell, oven, refrigerator, kitchen table, radio and family photo are used. Dora, mom and dad as well as a couch are also included.

Roses Holiday(TM) Barbie(R) Doll (only at Sears) (6 yrs. & up)

Retail: $49.99

Barbie(R) welcomes the holiday season. This holiday treasure is wearing a long velvet dress with sparkling accents and a detailed bodice, high detailed choker and earrings.

TV Star (only at Sears) (6 yrs. & up)

Retail: $69.99

The magic of TV-Star turns the family room into a recording studio. With the popularity of such shows as Canadian Idol and American Idol, T.V Star turns your family room into a recording studio and lets mom, dad and the kids give their best musical performance. T.V. Star includes a high resolution camera, microphone, two mixer controls, VHS tape and all cables necessary for hours of live broadcasts.

Polly Pocket(TM) Relaxin' Resort Roller Coaster Hotel (3 yrs. & up)

Retail: $39.99

Two wacky, fun rides await you at his hotel, including a roller coaster with 2 roller coaster cars and a ferris wheel. Polly can visit shops and stop by the cafe in 45 fashions and accessories.

Bella Dancerella(TM) Home Ballet Studio and Ballet Slippers (3 to 8 yrs.)

Retail: $39.99

A home ballet studio for young girls to practice their dance routines or follow along with the step by step VHS instruction video. Ballet bar is easy to assemble and take down for easy storage. Girls will spend hours practicing their five step by step basic ballet routines outlined on the double-sided mat. Pair of ballet slippers and 30-minute bilingual instructional video also included.

Hot Wheels T-Wrecks(TM) Play Set (4 yrs. & up)

Retail: $49.99 (Until December 24)

This play set gives children the chance to battle and defeat T-Rex. Motorized booster launches and shoots cars as T-Rex 'eats' and spits them out. 2 Hot Wheels(R) cars are also included.

Owen Saye Racing Cars (8 yrs. & up)

Retail: $59.99

Children will have hours of fun with the radio controlled cars. Cars have forward and reverse motion as well as left and right steering.

Robosapien (6 yrs. & up)

Retail: $119.99

Looking for a friendly robot? He walks. He talks. He even picks up stuff. Robosapien can perform 67 pre-programmed functions. Watch him dance, "high-five" you and perform karate kicks.

Official NHL(R) 'Stadium Arcade' Electronic Rod Hockey Table

(8 yrs. & up)

Retail: $249.99 (Until December 24, 2004) With the hockey season on hold this year, children will have hours of fun with this hockey table. The official Eastern and Western Division graphics with mesh net goals and electronic scorer will make any child play like a pro.

Harvard Convertible Games Table (18 yrs. & up)

Retail: 499.99 (Until December 24, 2004)

For the kids at heart on your holiday list, this medium oak finish games table converts from a poker table to a bumper pool table to a dining table. This table has built-in drink and poker chip holder and comes with one deck of playing cards, one set of bumper balls, two 2-piece 48" cues, two pieces of chalk and a brush.

All items are available at Sears 121 department stores, through the 2004 Sears Wish Book and online at www.sears.ca.

This is the first in a series of great gift ideas from the buyers at Sears. Topics include gift ideas for the host of the party, your husband/wife/partner, teenagers, mom/dad, friends, last minute shoppers and stocking stuffers.

Sears Canada is a multi-channel retailer with a network of 121 full-line department stores, 47 Sears Home stores, over 2,200 catalogue merchandise pick- up locations, 152 dealer stores, 12 outlet stores, 53 floor covering centres, 112 Sears Travel offices and a nationwide maintenance, repair, and installation network. The Company also publishes Canada's most extensive general merchandise catalogue and offers shopping online at www.sears.ca.

VIEW ADDITIONAL COMPANY-SPECIFIC INFORMATION: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/orgDisplay.cgi?okey=58312

For further information: Georgia Sourtzis, Sears Canada Inc.,
416.941.4424, gsourtz(at)sears.ca

News release via Canada NewsWire, Toronto 416-863-9350