- Sears and AOL team up - Internet Retailer

Sears, Roebuck and Co. and America Online Inc. have launched a series of in-store and online promotions, including new ways for consumers to sign up for the AOL service and pay for membership through Sears, as well as Sears.com shopping sprees and sweepstakes. Sears customers can sign up for AOL membership at registers in approximately 860 Sears full-line stores in the United States and nine stores in Puerto Rico, primarily in the home electronics department, and at the service desk at 180 Sears Hardware Stores. In addition, existing and new AOL 6.0 members use the Sears Card, the nation's largest proprietary credit card with 39 million active card holders, to pay for their monthly AOL membership. Sears customers who sign up for a one-year AOL membership in Sears stores are automatically registered for the chance to win "The Sears Good Life Giveaway" $100,000 Sweepstakes from Sears ($500,000 total; one $100,000 winner every month for five months) and also are eligible for special Sears money-saving promotions. As part of "The Sears Good Life Giveaway" promotion, customers signing up in Sears stores for one year of AOL service will also receive a $50 sears.com shopping spree, label-maker software (a $19.99 value) and 700 hours of AOL service free for the first month. Consumers who use their Sears Card as payment when signing up in a Sears store for one year of AOL service will also receive more than $2,400 in coupons for use on future Sears purchases made in Sears stores with the Sears Card. These promotions are part of a wide-ranging strategic alliance the companies announced in March of 2000, designed to bring the Internet and emerging technologies to consumers. Under this alliance, Sears merchandise is available to users of the America Online brands across the Shop@AOL online shopping destinations, or through AOL Keyword: Sears.