Sears offers incentive for using stimulus check

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. In an effort to get consumers to spend their government stimulus checks at its stores, Sears Holdings said it would offer customers a 10% bonus when they convert their check into gift cards at Sears or Kmart.

"In this tough economy, we know that our customers are focused on how to make their money work harder for them," said Bruce Johnson, interim ceo and president of Sears Holdings. "Every day we at Sears, Kmart and Lands' End are intent on bringing our customers the value, quality and style they deserve -- and our stimulus check program now provides even more value."

When customers bring their stimulus checks to a Sears or Kmart cash register, they can convert the amount of the check into gift cards, plus receive a bonus gift card worth an additional 10%. To be eligible, the amount of gift cards purchased must be equal to the full value of the stimulus check. The gift cards can be redeemed at any Sears, Kmart or Lands' End retail stores or online at sears.com or landsend.com. The promotion is scheduled to last from May 14 to July 19.