HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill., Dec. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- With just two weeks left until Christmas, the stars are aligned for smart shoppers at Sears, Roebuck and Co. (NYSE: S) this weekend. And just in time to beat procrastinator crowds. While some experts speculated that this holiday season might not be as promotional as in the past, the promotions are on and Sears is in the game ... aggressively. One of the things shoppers will find at Sears is great combination discounts. And of course, Sears has its price match plus policy (see store for details).

Sears is "sweetening the pot" for holiday shoppers in a variety of ways:

• Saturday, Dec. 13, Sears will feature a big fashion sale (excluding Lands' End):
• 40-50% off women's coats
• 40% off fall/holiday sweaters
• 50% off women's boots
• 50% off men's outerwear and sweaters
• 40-60% off all jewelry
• 20-30% off all watches
• PLUS instant savings (spend $100 or more and get an extra $25 off; spend $50 and get an extra $10 off...this applies to a wide selection of apparel, fragrances, footwear and fine jewelry).
• PLUS, from 7-10 a.m. Saturday, Sears will take 10% OFF most of those items, in addition to the other savings ... for example, on Saturday from 7-10 a.m., a three-stone diamond pendant necklace -- one of the hottest items of the season -- originally $399, would be $155 after instant savings and sale discounts.

This weekend is the smartest time to buy during the holiday season for many reasons: Product is still available and Sears is offering great deals. Holiday shoppers can find a great selection of gifts for the entire family at their local Sears store or at sears.com.

Lands' End(R) Specials

For the first time this holiday season, Sears is offering specials on Lands' End, such as volume discounts on Lands' End best sellers, including all-weather mocks, kids' and women's turtlenecks. Save $7.50 when you buy any three, or save $2.50 each when you buy three or more.

Family Entertainment and Other Toys

Consumer electronics has been among the top-selling categories so far this holiday season and while some deals on DVD players at $27.99 have been so good products are no longer available, Sears does have a good supply of several other DVD models from which to choose (see editor's note for details). And on Saturday, between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m., these great gifts are an additional 10% off. Sears also has a great selection of big screen and high-definition TVs.

Other hot-selling consumer electronics include the Disney portable DVD player, designed especially to entertain kids during those long road trips to grandma's house or while traveling by plane. Available exclusively at Sears, it includes a custom fit Disney branded carrying case, two sets of headphones and a 5-inch LCD monitor. Retail price: $249.99 and it is eligible for the 10% savings if purchased by 10 a.m. Saturday.

Barbie(TM) Mini Sew from Mattel is a fully-functioning compact sewing machine that runs on either four "AA" batteries or an AC adapter. For ages 8 and up. Retail price: $39.99 now on sale for $29.99.

Family Fitness for the Holidays

Treadmills remain the most sought-after fitness product, with prices on treadmills starting as low as $299 and ranging up to $2,499 for a fully- featured electronic model. Sears' most popular treadmill is the Proform Crosswalk 345S two-horsepower model #29403, regular price $499.99 on sale for $399.99 (and eligible for other discounts, as well). One of the most innovative treadmills is the Nordic Track aromatherapy model #29407, regular price $999.99, on sale for $799.99 and also eligible for the additional 10% savings if purchased by 10 a.m. Saturday. It features aromatherapy fans to blow scented air to refresh and energize you during your workout.

Two other fitness categories that have gained in popularity during the past year are elliptical and strength training machines. Elliptical crosstrainers start at just $249.99 and range in price up to $999.99 for a Nordic Track CX990. In the emerging strength training category, an innovative Weider Platinum Cross Bow, which offers electronic resistance, will be available at Sears in early January. The Weider Platinum Cross Bow will be available for $899.99.

Sears also offers a selection of exercise balls and mats that are ideal for stretching, yoga and Pilates workouts. The Weider fit-to-go kit includes a fitness ball, resistance bands, a deluxe speed jump rope, wrist and ankle weights and a carrying bag, regular price $49.99 on sale for $24.99 and it's eligible for the extra 10% savings if purchased by 10 a.m. Saturday.

Popular Craftsman(R) Gifts

No workshop or toolkit is complete without the latest development - laser technology. Craftsman(R) has a number of laser-integrated tools that bring the latest in high tech to someone's home or workshop. One of the hottest holiday tool gifts is the Craftsman Laser Trac Level, regular price $39.99 and it's eligible for the extra 10% off if purchased by 10 a.m. Saturday. It's a great "next generation" level, perfect for anyone -- professional or novice -- who will be hanging shelves or cabinets, pictures or wallpaper. Laser- guided cutting is the newest development for any handyman using circular saws, miter saws, and radial arm saws for remodeling, woodworking or even construction. The Sears family of laser-equipped tools includes: The Craftsman Circular Saw with Laser Trac, the Craftsman Laser Trac Level, the Craftsman Miter Saw with Laser Trac, and the Craftsman Radial Arm Saw with Laser Trac are available at all Sears stores, Sears Hardware stores, on sears.com and Craftsman.com.

About Sears

Sears, Roebuck and Co. is a leading broadline retailer providing merchandise and related services. With revenues in 2002 of $41.4 billion, the company offers its wide range of home merchandise, apparel and automotive products and services through more than 2,700 Sears-branded and affiliated stores in the U.S. and Canada, including approximately 1,000 full-line stores and 1,600 specialty stores. Sears also offers a variety of merchandise and services through sears.com, landsend.com, and specialty catalogs. Sears is the only retailer where consumers can find each of the Kenmore, Craftsman, DieHard and Lands' End brands together - among the most trusted and preferred brands in the U.S. The company is the largest provider of product repair services with more than 14 million services calls made annually

SOURCE Sears, Roebuck and Co.

Editor's Note: Product photos are available at www.searsmedia.com

DVD models in-stock at Sears include: Panasonic model 57304, $79.99; Philips model 57913, $79.99; Toshiba model 57603, $79.99; Sony model 57403, $99.99; JVC model 57523, $119.99; Panasonic model 57333, $129.99; Sony model 57443, $129.99; and a JVC dual deck, model 57533, $179.99.

Exclusions apply for "all on sales". See store for details.

$10 off purchase of $50 or more and $25 off purchase of $100 or more excludes Lands' End and prior purchase.

10% off excludes Exceptional Values, Great Price Items and Lands' End merchandise. Additional exclusions apply. See store for details. Sale ending dates vary from 12/13 through 12/20.

CONTACT: Larry Costello of Sears, Roebuck and Co., +1-847-286-9036