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Sears to Open Four NTB Stores in Cincinnati Area on June 1 -- Tire America Stores Get New Name, Look and Format --

28 May 1997

Sears to Open Four NTB Stores in Cincinnati Area on June 1 -- Tire America Stores Get New Name, Look and Format --

    HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill., May 28 -- The future of the tire store
business rolls into the Cincinnati area on June 1 when Sears, Roebuck and Co.
opens four NTB National Tire and Battery stores.  Previously known as Tire
America stores, the Cincinnati-area conversion is among the first of 275 NTW
and Tire America store conversions to take place by August 1997.
    Cincinnati-area NTB stores are located at: 4459 Eastgate Boulevard,
Cincinnati, Ohio; 6353 Glenway Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio; 11700 Princeton Pike,
Springdale, Ohio; and 8218 Highway 42, Florence, Ky.
    "Our goal is to offer customers everything they want and nothing they
expect in a tire store," said Paul Baffico, president of Sears Automotive
Group.  "As the no. 1 tire retailer in America, we've created the unexpected -
- a new shopping experience and hassle-free service.
    "We developed our NTB concept after extensive research indicated most
customers view tire shopping a chore," Baffico continued.  "NTB stores are
designed to make that experience pleasant and informative so the customer
feels more in control of the purchasing decision."
    The entire store area is open to customers, who can easily view the tire
warehouse or the service bays, either up close or from behind a glass wall.
In fact, the staff encourages customers to watch their cars being serviced and
ask questions about the work.  Consumer education displays that illustrate and
explain a variety of tire, battery and ride-control information, are designed
to demystify the shopping experience.  The customer lounge area includes a
microwave oven, TV and business area, where patrons can operate portable
computers, send faxes and work in comfort.
    All stores will carry 3,000 national brand name and private label tires,
including Goodyear, Michelin, Pirelli and custom wheels.  NTB also will sell
batteries and related starting and charging accessories, including DieHard,
the nation's most preferred battery.  Stores will also offer related ride-
control services including brakes, shocks, struts, alignments and front-end
repair.
    NTB's "off-the-mall" format allows it to expand rapidly into new markets
nationwide.  Sears plans to add 100 NTB stores per year with a goal of more
than 700 stores by year 2001.  Sears also currently operates almost 800 Sears
Auto Centers next to its full-line stores.
    Sears Automotive Group is the nation's largest retailer of tires and
batteries through its Sears Auto Center, NTB, TA and NTW stores.  Under its
Western Auto division, Sears Automotive Group sells automotive parts,
accessories and related products at its Parts America and Western Auto retail
stores.  Additionally, independently owned Western Auto Associate Stores serve
rural American customers with a diverse selection of automotive and home
goods.

SOURCE  Sears, Roebuck and Co.