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Sears to Open 5 NTB Stores in Baltimore Area on July 1

20 June 1997

Sears to Open 5 NTB Stores in Baltimore Area on July 1

                -- NTW Stores Get New Name, Look And Format --

    HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill., June 20 -- The future of the tire
store business rolls into the Baltimore area on July 1 when Sears, Roebuck and
Co. (NYSE: S) opens five NTB National Tire and Battery stores.  Previously
known as National Tire Warehouse (NTW) stores, the Baltimore conversion is
part of a nationwide conversion of all 275 NTW and Tire America stores by
August 1997.
    Baltimore-area NTB stores are located at:  6211 Rossville Blvd.,
Baltimore; 6810 Oak Hall Ln., Columbia; 7539 Ritchie Highway, Glen Burnie;
9424 Reisterstown Rd., Owings Mills; and 1909 E. Joppa Rd., Towson.
    "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 the 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.  There are no phones on the sales floor so sales
staff can serve customers without interruption.  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 the 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.