Document:

Form of Tax Sharing Agreement

 Exhibit 10.9 
 TAX SHARING AGREEMENT 
 This Tax Sharing Agreement (the
“Agreement”), dated as of the 8th day of August, 2012, is by and among Sears Holdings Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“Sears Holdings”), and Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“SHO”),
and all of its direct and indirect Subsidiaries (SHO and its present and future Subsidiaries shall be collectively referred to herein as the “SHO Companies”). 
 WHEREAS, one or more of the SHO Companies is a member of the affiliated group of corporations of which Sears Holdings is the common parent corporation and which files a consolidated federal income tax
return and combined and consolidated state tax returns; 
 WHEREAS, following the Rights Closing Date (as such term is defined
in the Separation Agreement between SHC and SHO, dated as of August 8, 2012 (the “Separation Agreement”)), such SHO Companies will no longer be included in the affiliated group of corporations (within the meaning of Section 1504 of
the Code) of which Sears Holdings is the common parent; and 
 WHEREAS, Sears Holdings and the SHO Companies desire to set forth
their agreement regarding the allocation of taxes, the filing of tax returns, the administration of tax contests and other related tax matters. 
 NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual obligations and undertakings contained herein, the parties agree as follows: 
 ARTICLE I 
 DEFINITIONS 

As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings (such meanings to be equally applicable to both the
singular and the plural forms of the terms defined): 
 “Affiliate” means, with respect to any specified person, a
person that directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the specified person. 
 “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any successor thereto, as in effect with respect to the taxable period in question. 

“Consolidated Group” means the affiliated group of corporations (within the meaning of Section 1504 of the Code) of which
Sears Holdings is the common parent (and any successor group). 
 “Final Determination” shall mean the final
resolution of liability for any Tax with respect to a taxable period (i) by Internal Revenue Service Form 870 or 870-AD (or any successor forms thereto), on the date of acceptance by or on behalf of the Internal Revenue Service (the
“IRS”), or by a comparable form under the laws of other jurisdictions; except that a Form 870 or 870-AD or comparable form that reserves (whether by its terms or by operation of the law) the right of the taxpayer to file a claim for a
refund and/or the right of the Taxing Authority to assert a further 

 
deficiency shall not constitute a Final Determination; (ii) by a decision, judgment, decree, or other order by a court of competent jurisdiction, which has become final and may not be
appealed; (iii) by a closing agreement or accepted offer in compromise under Section 7121 or 7122 of the Code, or comparable agreements under the laws of other jurisdictions; (iv) by any allowance of a refund or credit in respect of
an overpayment of Tax, but only after the expiration of all periods during which such refund may be recovered (including by way of offset) by the Taxing Authority jurisdiction; or (v) by any other final disposition, including by reason of the
expiration of the applicable statute of limitations. 
 “Member” has the meaning assigned in Treasury Regulation
Section l.1502-1. 
 “Post-Closing Tax Period” means any taxable period beginning after the Rights Closing Date and,
with respect to a taxable period that begins on or before such date and ends thereafter, the portion of such taxable period beginning after the Rights Closing Date. 
 “Pricing Adjustment” shall mean an adjustment by a Taxing Authority of any transfer pricing arrangement or other intercompany transaction between Sears Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries (on
the one hand) and any of the SHO Companies (on the other hand) with respect to any Post-Closing Tax Period. 
 “Pre-Closing
Tax Period” means any taxable period ending on or before the Rights Closing Date and, with respect to a taxable period that begins on or before such date and ends thereafter, the portion of such taxable period ending on the Rights Closing Date.

 “Pre-Closing Taxes” means any Taxes (other than Unpaid Non-Income Taxes) that are imposed on, allocated or
attributable to or incurred or payable by the SHO Business for any Pre-Closing Tax Period, provided that Pre-Closing Taxes shall be computed without regard to the carryback of any Tax Benefit Item from a Post-Closing Tax Period. For purposes
of calculating “Pre-Closing Taxes”, any liability for Taxes attributable to a Tax period that begins before and ends after the Rights Closing Date shall be apportioned between the portion of such period ending on such date and the portion
of such period beginning after such date (a) in the case of real and personal property Taxes, by apportioning such Taxes on a per diem basis and (b) in the case of all other Taxes, on the basis of a closing of the books, provided, that
exemptions, allowances or deductions that are calculated on an annual basis shall be apportioned on a per diem basis. 

“Separate Return Taxable Income” means, with respect to each taxable period or portion thereof and each state or locality for
which the allocation is being computed, the amount of income calculated by multiplying the separate entity’s or group of entities’ (as applicable) tax base for that state or locality by the State Group’s apportionment formula for that
state or locality, and taking into consideration nonapportionable items of income for that separate entity or group of entities (as applicable). If during any taxable period an SHO Company ceases to be a State Affiliated Company in any state or
locality, the “Separate Return Taxable Income” for such taxable period in such state or locality shall be calculated as if the taxable period of such SHO Company ended on the date that such SHO Company ceased to be a State Affiliated
Company in such state or locality. 

  
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 “SHO Business” means the business and assets contributed to SHO pursuant to the
Separation Agreement. 
 “State Affiliated Companies” means all entities that Sears Holdings determines are included
in a State Combined or Consolidated Return or that any jurisdiction determines under applicable law are included in a State Combined or Consolidated Return. 
 “State Combined or Consolidated Return” means a single state or local Tax Return filed for (i) one or more of Sears Holdings and its Subsidiaries as well as (ii) one or more SHO
Companies. 
 “State Group” means any group of corporations filing a State Combined or Consolidated Return.

 “Subsidiary” means a corporation, limited liability company, partnership or other entity, whether or not such
entity is treated as such for tax purposes. 
 “Tax” or “Taxes” means any and all forms of taxation,
whenever created or imposed by a Taxing Authority, and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, shall include net income, alternative or add-on minimum, estimated, gross income, sales, use, ad valorem, gross receipts, value added,
franchise, profits, license, transfer, recording, withholding, payroll, employment, excise, severance, stamp, occupation, premium, property, windfall profit, custom duty or other tax, governmental fee or other like assessment or charge of any kind
whatsoever, together with any related interest, penalties or other additions to tax, or additional amounts imposed by any such Taxing Authority. 
 “Taxing Authority” means a national, foreign, municipal, state, federal or other governmental authority responsible for the administration of any Tax. 

“Tax Benefit Item” means any net operating loss, unused foreign Tax credit, unused charitable deduction, unused capital loss,
or similar unused Tax benefit item arising with respect to the SHO Companies in a given taxable period, computed as though the SHO Companies had independently filed a federal, state or local Tax Return for such taxable period including all of the
SHO Companies. 
 “Tax Controversy” means any pending or threatened audit, dispute, suit, action, proposed assessment
or other proceeding relating to Taxes. 
 “Tax Return” means any return, filing, questionnaire or other document,
including requests for extensions of time, filings made with estimated Tax payments, claims for refund and amended returns, that may be filed for any taxable period with any Taxing Authority in connection with any Tax (whether or not a payment is
required to be made with respect to such filing) or any information reporting requirement. 
 “Unpaid Non-Income
Taxes” means any Taxes (other than income Taxes) that are imposed on, allocated or attributable to or incurred or payable by the SHO Business or the SHO Companies for any Pre-Closing Tax Period, provided that Unpaid Non-Income Taxes shall
include Taxes only to the extent such Taxes are accrued and unpaid as of the Rights Closing Date. For purposes of calculating “Unpaid Non-Income Taxes”, any liability for Taxes attributable to a Tax period that begins before and ends after
the Rights Closing Date shall be apportioned between the portion of such period ending on such date and the portion of such period beginning after such date (a) in the case of real and personal property Taxes, by apportioning such Taxes on a per
diem basis and (b) in the case of all other Taxes, on the basis of a closing of the books, provided, that exemptions, allowances or deductions that are calculated on an annual basis shall be apportioned on a per diem basis. 

ARTICLE II 

PREPARATION AND FILING OF TAX RETURNS 
 Section 2.01. Sears Holdings Consolidated Group Tax Returns. 
 Sears
Holdings shall timely prepare and file (or cause to be timely prepared and filed) all federal income Tax Returns for the Consolidated Group. The SHO Companies shall provide to Sears Holdings all financial data and any other information and
documentation reasonably requested by Sears Holdings in connection with the filing of any such federal income Tax Returns. 

  
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 Section 2.02. State Combined or Consolidated Returns. 

(a) Sears Holdings or one or more of its Subsidiaries shall prepare all State Combined or Consolidated Returns. To the extent permitted
by law, Sears Holdings (or one of its Subsidiaries) shall timely file each such State Combined or Consolidated Return. If Sears Holdings (or one of its Subsidiaries) is not permitted to file any such State Combined or Consolidated Return, an SHO
Company shall file such State Combined or Consolidated Return. The person responsible pursuant to the forgoing for filing any such State Combined or Consolidated Return shall timely pay (or cause to be timely paid) any Tax that is due in connection
with any such State Combined or Consolidated Return. The SHO Companies shall provide to Sears Holdings all financial data and any other information and documentation reasonably requested by Sears Holdings in connection with the preparation of any
such State Combined or Consolidated Return. 
 (b) To the extent reasonably requested by the SHO Companies, Sears Holdings shall
(i) consult with the SHO Companies regarding the preparation of a State Combined or Consolidated Return if the SHO Companies are responsible for any portion of the Taxes reported thereon and (ii) deliver any such State Combined or
Consolidated Return to the SHO Companies for review and comment no later than five days prior to the date on which such State Combined or Consolidated Return is due. Sears Holdings shall consider in good faith any changes to such State Combined or
Consolidated Tax Return reasonably requested by the SHO Companies, to the extent that such changes relate to items for which the SHO Companies have responsibility hereunder. 
 Section 2.03. Other Tax Returns of the SHO Companies. 
 (a) The SHO
Companies shall timely prepare and file, or cause to be timely prepared and filed, all appropriate Tax Returns relating to all Taxes attributable to the SHO Companies’ business other than those described in sections 2.01 and 2.02 herein.

 (b) To the extent any Tax Return described in Section 2.03(a) would result in Pre-Closing Taxes and Taxes other than
Pre-Closing Taxes, Sears Holdings or one or more of its Subsidiaries shall prepare such Tax Return. The SHO Companies shall provide to Sears Holdings all financial data and any other information and documentation reasonably requested by Sears
Holdings in connection with the preparation of any such Tax Return. A SHO Company shall file such Tax Return and shall timely pay (or cause to be timely paid) any Tax that is due in connection with any such Tax Return. To the extent reasonably
requested by the SHO Companies, Sears Holdings shall (i) consult with the SHO Companies regarding the preparation of such Tax Return and (ii) deliver such Tax Return to the SHO Companies for review and comment no later than five days prior to the
date on which such Tax Return is due. Sears Holdings shall consider in good faith any changes to such Tax Return reasonably requested by the SHO Companies, to the extent that such changes relate to items for which the SHO Companies have
responsibility hereunder. Within 15 days of filing any such Tax Return, Sears Holdings shall pay SHO the amount of Pre-Closing Taxes shown on such Tax Return. 
 ARTICLE III 
 ALLOCATION AND PAYMENT OF CONSOLIDATED FEDERAL TAXES

 Section 3.01. Payment of Consolidated Federal Income Tax. Sears Holdings shall be responsible for all
payments of federal income Tax due with respect to the Consolidated Group. 
 Section 3.02. Carrybacks. In the event
any federal Tax Benefit Item of the SHO Companies for any taxable period after they cease being Members of the Consolidated Group is eligible to be carried back to a taxable period while the SHO Companies were Members of the Consolidated Group, the
SHO Companies shall, where possible, elect to carry such amounts forward to subsequent taxable periods. If the SHO Companies are required by law to carry back any such federal Tax Benefit Item, the SHO Companies shall be entitled to a payment at the
time and to the extent that such Tax Benefit Item reduces the federal income Tax liability of the Consolidated Group. For purposes of computing the amount of the payment described in this section 3.02, one or more federal Tax Benefit Items shall be
considered to have reduced the Consolidated Group’s federal income Tax liability in a given taxable period by an amount equal to the difference, if any, between (i) the amount of the Consolidated Group’s federal income Tax

  
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liability for the taxable period computed without regard to such federal Tax Benefit Item or Items and (ii) the amount of the Consolidated Group’s federal income Tax liability for the
taxable period computed with regard to such federal Tax Benefit Item or Items. For the avoidance of doubt, if the SHO Companies are required to carry back a federal Tax Benefit Item, such federal Tax Benefit Item shall reduce the Consolidated
Group’s federal income Tax liability only after all federal Tax Benefit Items of Sears Holdings have been applied to reduce the Consolidated Group’s federal income Tax liability in such taxable period. Appropriate reconciliation payments
shall be made in the event that it is subsequently determined that a Tax Benefit Item did not reduce the Consolidated Group’s federal income Tax liabilities, including by reason of any such Tax Benefit Item being subsequently disallowed in
whole or in part or by reason of other Tax benefits becoming available. 
 ARTICLE IV 

ALLOCATION AND PAYMENT OF 
 COMBINED/CONSOLIDATED STATE AND LOCAL TAXES 
 Section 4.01.
Payment of Combined/Consolidated State and Local Tax. With respect to Post-Closing Tax Periods, the SHO Companies shall pay to Sears Holdings, or Sears Holdings shall pay to the SHO Companies (in the case of a State Combined or Consolidated
Return filed by an SHO Company, or in the case of payments with respect to Tax Benefit Items pursuant to section 4.02(d)), at the times provided by section 4.03, the amounts determined under section 4.02. 

Section 4.02. Allocation of Combined/Consolidated State and Local Tax. The state and local Tax liability of the SHO Companies
and all the other State Affiliated Companies for each State Combined or Consolidated Return shall be calculated in the following manner: 
 (a) An allocation of Tax (or payment attributable to a state or local Tax Benefit Item) pursuant to this Article IV shall be made to the SHO Companies only if Sears Holdings determines that an SHO Company
has a nexus presence in a state or locality for which the allocation of Tax or payment attributable to a state or local Tax Benefit Item is being determined. If Sears Holdings has no nexus presence in a state or locality, then all Tax or payments
attributable to a state or local Tax Benefit Item shall be allocated to the SHO Companies. 
 (b) Each allocation of Tax
pursuant to this Article IV shall be computed between the SHO Companies as one group and all other State Affiliated Companies as a separate group. 
 (c) Except as otherwise provided herein (including section 7.03), with respect to any State Combined or Consolidated Tax Return that is an income Tax Return, the Tax allocated to the SHO Companies shall
equal the product of (i) the statutory rate imposed by the relevant state or locality for the Tax covered by such Tax Return and (ii) the amount (if any) of positive Separate Return Taxable Income for the SHO Companies with respect to such
Tax Return. For purposes of this section 4.02(c), the SHO Companies’ allocated Tax shall not be reduced by the SHO Companies’ carrybacks and carryovers of state or local Tax Benefit Items from other taxable periods (such items being
addressed by section 4.02(d)). 

  
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 (d) Sears Holdings shall pay to the SHO Companies, in accordance with section 4.03, the
amount, if any, by which one or more state or local Tax Benefit Items of the SHO Companies arising in a Post-Closing Tax Period reduced a State Combined or Consolidated Return Tax liability with respect to any taxable period for which a State
Combined or Consolidated Return is filed by Sears Holdings after the date of this Agreement but only to the extent that Sears Holdings receives the benefit of such reduction (taking into account the provisions of this Agreement). In computing the
amount of the payment under this section 4.02(d), one or more state or local Tax Benefit Items shall be considered to have reduced the State Combined or Consolidated Return Tax liability in a given taxable period by an amount equal to the
difference, if any, between (i) the amount of the State Combined or Consolidated Return Tax liability with respect to the taxable period computed without regard to such state or local Tax Benefit Item or Items and (ii) the amount of the
State Combined or Consolidated Return Tax liability with respect to the taxable period computed with regard to such state or local Tax Benefit Item or Items. Appropriate reconciliation payments shall be made in the event that it is subsequently
determined that a Tax Benefit Item did not reduce the State Combined or Consolidated Return Tax liability in a given taxable period, including by reason of any such Tax Benefit Item being subsequently disallowed in whole or in part or by reason of
other Tax benefits becoming available. In no event shall the amount paid by Sears Holdings under this section 4.02(d) with respect to any state or local Tax Benefit Item exceed the amount that the SHO Companies would have received if they had
independently filed a state or local Tax Return including all of the SHO Companies. SHO shall pay to Sears Holdings, in accordance with section 4.03 herein, the amount, if any, by which one or more state or local Tax Benefit Items of Sears Holdings
or any of its Subsidiaries reduced a State Combined or Consolidated Return Tax liability with respect to any taxable period for which a State Combined or Consolidated Return is filed after the date of this Agreement but only to the extent that an
SHO Company receives the benefit of such reduction (taking into account the provisions of this Agreement). For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of this section 4.02(d) are subject to section 7.03. 

(e) With respect to any State Combined or Consolidated Return that is not an income Tax Return, the applicable state or local Tax
liability shall be allocated among the SHO Companies and all the other State Affiliated Companies pro rata based on the Tax that would have been paid by the SHO Companies as one group, on the one hand, and all other State Affiliated Companies as a
separate group, on the other hand. 
 Section 4.03. Payment. 

(a) The computation of the state or local Tax allocations, as well as any required payment to and from Sears Holdings, shall be made
within 15 days after Sears Holdings or any of its Affiliates (other than the SHO Companies), or any SHO Company, makes a payment to, or receives a payment credit or offset from, any Taxing Authority pursuant to this Article IV. All decisions
relating to the allocation and payment of Taxes under this Article IV shall be made at the reasonable discretion of Sears Holdings. 
 (b) The same method used for the calculation of estimated Tax for any State Combined or Consolidated Return shall be used to determine the amount of estimated Tax allocated to the SHO Companies. With
regard to any estimated Tax that is calculated based upon income of a prior taxable period, the payments under this Agreement shall also be calculated based upon such income and appropriate adjustments made when the final Tax Return is filed with
respect to such estimated Tax. For estimated Tax calculated in any other manner, the payments under this Agreement shall be determined based upon the principles of section 4.02. 

  
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 Section 4.04. Carrybacks. In the event any state Tax Benefit Item of the SHO
Companies with respect to any taxable period after they cease being State Affiliated Companies is eligible to be carried back to a taxable period while the SHO Companies were State Affiliated Companies, the SHO Companies shall, where possible, elect
to carry such amounts forward to subsequent taxable periods. If the SHO Companies are required by law to carry back any such state Tax Benefit Item, the SHO Companies shall be entitled to a payment to the extent that such a payment would be required
under the terms of section 4.02(d). 
 ARTICLE V 
 PAYMENT OF OTHER TAXES 
 Section 5.01 Other Taxes. All
Taxes of (or with respect to) an SHO Company shall be paid by the SHO Companies, other than (i) Taxes of the Consolidated Group, (ii) Taxes reportable on a Tax Return described in Section 2.02(a) (which the SHO Companies shall pay to
the extent required by Article IV), and (iii) Pre-Closing Taxes. 
 Section 5.02. Unpaid Non-Income Taxes.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, SHO shall be responsible for and pay all Unpaid Non-Income Taxes. 

ARTICLE VI 

TAX DEFICIENCIES AND REFUNDS 
 6.01. Pre-Closing Taxes. Sears Holdings shall be responsible for (and shall indemnify the SHO Companies from and against) all Pre-Closing Taxes, including any Pre-Closing Taxes resulting from any
audit, amendment, other change or adjustment. Any refund of Pre-Closing Taxes (whether by payment, credit, offset against other Taxes due or otherwise) shall be for the benefit of (and paid to) Sears Holdings. 

6.02. Post-Closing State Group Taxes. Subject to section 7.03, if as a result of any audit, amendment, other change or adjustment
to the state or local Taxes of any State Group there is an additional amount of such state or local Taxes (other than Pre-Closing Taxes) due and payable or a refund of such state or local Taxes (other than Pre-Closing Taxes) previously paid (whether
by payment, credit, offset against other Taxes due or otherwise), the obligations of the parties shall be redetermined under section 4.02 as if the adjustments made as a result of such audit were included as part of the original Tax Return filed and
any payments made under this Agreement shall be adjusted or reimbursed in accordance with the foregoing. 
 ARTICLE VII

 COOPERATION AND TAX CONTROVERSY 
 Section 7.01. Cooperation. 
 (a) Sears Holdings and the SHO Companies
shall cooperate fully at such time and to the extent reasonably requested by the other party in connection with the preparation and 

  
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filing of any Tax Return or the conduct of any Tax Controversy concerning any issues or any other matter contemplated hereunder. Such cooperation shall include, without limitation, (i) the
retention and provision on demand of books, records, documentation or other information relating to any Tax Return until the later of (x) the expiration of the applicable federal or state statute of limitation (giving effect to any extension,
waiver, or mitigation thereof) and (y) in the event any claim has been made under this Agreement for which such information is relevant, until a Final Determination with respect to such claim; (ii) the filing or execution of any document
that may be necessary or reasonably helpful in connection with the filing of any Tax Return, or claim for a refund of Taxes previously paid, by either party, or in connection with any Tax Controversy addressed in the preceding sentence (including a
requisite power of attorney); and (iii) the use of the parties' best efforts to obtain any documentation from a governmental authority or a third party that may be necessary or helpful in connection with the foregoing. Each party shall make its
employees and facilities reasonably available on a mutually convenient basis to facilitate such cooperation. 
 (b) Sears
Holdings and the SHO Companies shall use reasonable efforts to keep each other advised as to the status of Tax Controversies involving any issue which could give rise to any liability of the other party under this Agreement. Sears Holdings and the
SHO Companies shall each promptly notify the other of any inquiries by any Taxing Authority or any other administrative, judicial or other governmental authority that relate to any Tax that may be imposed on the other or any Affiliate of the other
that might give rise to any liability under this Agreement. Sears Holdings shall have sole control of any Tax Controversy relating to the Consolidated Group or to any Pre-Closing Taxes. Sears Holdings shall have sole control of any Tax Controversy
relating to any State Combined and Consolidated Return, provided, that in the case of any such Tax Controversy that may affect Taxes for which the SHO Companies have responsibility hereunder, the SHO Companies may participate in such Tax
Controversies at their own expense. If the potential liability of the SHO Companies under this Agreement relating to any Tax Controversy exceeds $500,000, Sears Holdings shall not settle or concede such Tax Controversy without the prior written
consent of the SHO Companies, not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed. 
 Section 7.02. Contest
Provisions. Subject to the cooperation provisions in section 7.01, Sears Holdings shall have the right to resolve any difference or disagreement on any matter that arises out of the application and interpretation of this Agreement; provided,
however, that Sears Holdings shall (i) in good faith cooperate and consult with the SHO Companies in an effort to resolve any differences with respect to Sears Holdings’ position with regard to such matter, (ii) in good faith consider
the SHO Companies’ position on such matter and (iii) advise the SHO Companies of the reason for rejecting any such recommendation for alternative positions. 
 Section 7.03. Certain Adjustments. Notwithstanding sections 4.02 and 6.02, in the event there is a Pricing Adjustment with respect to any Tax Return that results in additional taxable income
to Sears Holdings, SHO or any of their respective Subsidiaries (or any tax group that includes any such person), (i) if such adjustment is with respect to a State Combined or Consolidated Tax Return, the adjustments arising from such Pricing
Adjustment shall be disregarded in applying sections 4.02 and 6.02 to the extent necessary in order to put Sears Holdings (and its Subsidiaries) or SHO (and its Subsidiaries), as the case may be, in the same after tax position with respect to such
State Combined or Consolidated Tax Return as such person 

  
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would have occupied if there had been no such additional taxable income (as determined by Sears Holdings in good faith) and (ii) after the application of clause (i) (but without
duplication) or if clause (i) does not apply, as the case may be, (A) SHO shall indemnify Sears Holdings for any additional Tax that Sears Holdings (or any of its Subsidiaries) would otherwise bear as a result of such additional taxable
income and (b) Sears Holdings shall indemnify SHO for any additional Tax that the SHO Companies would otherwise bear as a result of such additional taxable income. The amount of any payment under this section 7.03 shall be increased by any
Taxes incurred by the person receiving such payment as a result of the receipt of such payment. Any payment required under this section 7.03 shall be made within 15 days after the indemnified party makes a payment to any Taxing Authority as a result
of a Pricing Adjustment. In the event that, following a Pricing Adjustment with respect to a Tax Return, Sears Holdings determines that it is appropriate to apply that Pricing Adjustment to another Tax Return or in filing other Tax Returns going
forward, this section 7.03 (and sections 4.02 and 6.02) shall be applied as if a Pricing Adjustment had been made with respect to such other Tax Returns. 
 ARTICLE VIII 
 MISCELLANEOUS 

Section 8.01. Effective Date. This Agreement applies to all matters related to any Tax Returns filed, Taxes paid, adjustments
made in respect of any Tax, and any other matters involving Taxes on or after the Rights Closing Date between or among (i) Sears Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries (other than the SHO Companies) and (ii) the SHO Companies. This Agreement
will not become effective unless it has been approved by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of Sears Holdings. 

Section 8.02. Complete Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the parties concerning the subject
matter hereof. Any other agreements, whether or not written, in respect of any Tax between or among Sears Holdings and the SHO Companies shall be terminated and have no further effect. This Agreement may not be amended except by an agreement in
writing signed by the parties hereto. This Agreement is being executed on August 30, 2012 and shall supersede any version of this Agreement that was executed previously. 
 Section 8.03. Notices. Notices under this Agreement are sufficient if given by nationally recognized overnight courier service, certified mail (return receipt requested), or email or facsimile
with electronic confirmation or personal delivery to the other Party at the address below: 
  

			
	If to SHO:	  	Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores, Inc.
		  	3333 Beverly Road
		  	Hoffman Estates, IL 60179
		  	Attn.: General Counsel
		  	Facsimile: (      )
                    

  
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	If to Sears Holdings:	  	Sears Holdings Corporation
		  	3333 Beverly Road B2-131B
		  	Hoffman Estates, IL 60179
		  	Attn.: Vice President, Tax
		  	Facsimile: (847) 286-4908
		
	With a copy to:	  	Sears Holdings Corporation
		  	3333 Beverly Road B6-210B
		  	Hoffman Estates, IL 60179
		  	Attn: General Counsel
		  	Facsimile: (847) 286-2471

 Notice is effective: (i) when delivered personally, (ii) three business days after sent by certified mail,
(iii) on the business day after sent by a nationally recognized courier service, or (iv) on the business day after sent by email or facsimile with electronic confirmation to the sender. A Party may change its notice address by giving
notice in accordance with this Section 8.03. 
 Section 8.04. Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury
Trial. 
 (a) Governing Law. This Agreement will be construed in accordance with, and governed by, the federal
laws of the United States, including the Lanham Act, and the internal laws of the State of Illinois, other than its conflict of laws principles and the Illinois Franchise Disclosure Act. This Agreement will not be subject to any of the
provisions of the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods. 
 (b)
Jurisdiction. Each of the Parties submits, for itself and its property, to the exclusive jurisdiction of all Illinois state courts and federal courts of the United States of America sitting in Cook County, Illinois, and all appellate
courts to each thereof, in all actions and proceedings arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby or for recognition or enforcement of all judgments relating thereto, and each of the Parties (A) will
commence all such actions and proceedings only in such courts, (B) will cause all claims in respect of all such actions and proceedings to be heard and determined in such Illinois state court or, to the extent permitted by law, in such federal
court, (C) waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, all objections that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of all such actions and proceedings in any such Illinois state or federal court, and
(D) waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such actions and proceedings in all such Illinois state and federal courts. A final judgment in any such action or proceeding
will be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law. Each Party irrevocably consents to service of process in the manner provided for notices in
Section 8.03. Nothing in this Agreement will affect the right of any Party to serve process in any other manner permitted by Applicable Law. 
 (c) Waiver of Jury Trial. Each Party acknowledges that each controversy that may arise under this Agreement is likely to involve complicated and difficult issues and, therefore,

  
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it irrevocably and unconditionally waives all rights it may have to a trial by jury in respect of any litigation directly or indirectly arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the
transactions contemplated hereby. Each Party certifies and acknowledges that (A) it understands and has considered the implications of such waivers, (B) it makes such waivers voluntarily, and (C) it has been induced to enter into
this Agreement by, among other things, the mutual waivers and certifications in this Section 8.04(c). 
 Section 8.05.
Successors and Assigns. A party’s rights and obligations under this Agreement may not be assigned without the prior written consent of the other party. All of the provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the
benefit of the parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns. If any party to this Agreement forms or acquires one or more Subsidiaries which become Members of the Consolidated Group or a State Affiliated Company, such party will
cause any such Subsidiary to be bound by the terms of this Agreement, and this Agreement shall apply to any such Subsidiary in the same manner and to the same extent as the current party. 

Section 8.06. Intended Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is solely for the benefit of the parties to this Agreement
and should not be deemed to confer upon third parties any remedy, claim, liability, reimbursement, claim of action or other right in excess of those existing without this Agreement. 

Section 8.07. Legal Enforceability. Any provision of this Agreement which is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction
shall, as to that jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of the prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions. Any prohibition or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement in any jurisdiction shall not
invalidate or render unenforceable the provision in any other jurisdiction. 
 Section 8.08. Expenses. Unless
otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, each party shall bear any and all expenses that arise from its respective obligations under this Agreement. In the event either party to this Agreement brings an action or proceeding for the breach or
enforcement of this Agreement, the prevailing party in such action or proceeding, whether or not such action or proceeding proceeds to final judgment, shall be entitled to recover as an element of its costs, and not as damages, such reasonable
attorneys’ fees as may be awarded in the action or proceeding in addition to whatever other relief to which the prevailing party may be entitled. 
 Section 8.09. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed and delivered (including by facsimile transmission) in counterparts, and by the different parties hereto in separate counterparts,
each of which when executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement. 
 Section 8.10. Change in Law. If, after the date this Agreement is executed, as a result of an amendment to the Code, the promulgation of proposed, temporary or final regulations, the issuance
of a ruling by a Taxing Authority, the decision of any court, or a change in any applicable state or local law, Sears Holdings believes that it is necessary or helpful to amend the provisions of this Agreement in order to preserve the rights and
benefits contemplated herein, each of the parties hereto agrees to negotiate in good faith all such amendments and modifications as shall be necessary or appropriate in order to preserve as nearly as possible for the parties hereto the rights and
benefits contemplated herein. 
 [Remainder of page intentionally left blank; signature page to follow] 

  
 11 

 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed and delivered this Agreement as of the date
first written above. 
  

			
	SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION
		
	By:	 	  

			
	Name:	 	Lawrence J. Meerschaert
	Title:	 	Vice-President, Tax

			
	
	SEARS HOMETOWN AND OUTLET STORES, INC
		
	By:	 	  

			
	Name:	 	W. Bruce Johnson
	Title:	 	Chief Executive Officer and President

  
 12Form of Employee Transition and Administrative Services Agreement

 Exhibit 10.10 
 Execution Version 
 EMPLOYEE TRANSITION AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT

 THIS EMPLOYEE TRANSITION AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of August 31, 2012, is
made by and between (i) Sears Holdings Management Corporation on behalf of itself and its Affiliates (“SHMC” or the “Service Provider”); and (ii) Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores, Inc.
(“SHO”), Sears Authorized Hometown Stores, LLC (“Hometown”), and Sears Outlet Stores, L.L.C. (“Outlet” and together with SHO and Hometown, collectively the “SHO Group”). 

RECITALS 

WHEREAS, Service Provider is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sears Holdings Corporation (“SHLD”), and SHLD has determined
that it would be appropriate, desirable and in the best interests of SHLD and the shareholders of SHLD to separate the SHO Business from SHLD; and 
 WHEREAS, SHLD and SHO have entered into the Separation Agreement, dated August 8, 2012 (the “Separation Agreement”), pursuant to which SHLD intends to distribute to its stockholders
its entire interest in the SHO Business by way of a Rights Offering; and 
 WHEREAS, after the Rights Offering, it is
contemplated by the parties that certain employees working for the SHO Business will be transferred to the SHO Group, and Service Provider will provide certain administrative services to the SHO Group for a certain period of time, all on the terms
and conditions set forth herein; and 
 NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and mutual covenants and
agreements contained herein and in the Separation Agreement, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereto agree as follows: 
 ARTICLE I 
 DEFINITIONS 

1.1 Capitalized Terms. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Agreement shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the
Separation Agreement. 
 1.2 Certain Defined Terms. For the purposes of this Agreement: 

“Affiliate” means (solely for purposes of this Agreement and for no other purpose) (i) with respect to SHO, its
Subsidiaries, and (ii) with respect to the Service Provider, SHLD and the subsidiaries of SHLD (other than Sears Canada, Inc.). 
 “Benefit Plan“ means, with respect to an entity, each plan, program, policy, agreement, arrangement or understanding that is a deferred compensation, executive compensation, incentive
bonus or other bonus, pension, profit sharing, savings, retirement, 

 
severance pay, salary continuation, life, death benefit, health, hospitalization, sick leave, vacation pay, disability or accident insurance or other employee benefit plan, program, agreement or
arrangement, including any “employee benefit plan” (as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA) sponsored, maintained or contributed to by such entity or to which such entity is a party or under which such entity has any obligation;
provided that no SHLD Restricted Stock Award, nor any plan under which any such SHLD Restricted Stock Award is granted, shall constitute a “Benefit Plan” under this Agreement. In addition, no Employment Agreement shall constitute a
Benefit Plan for purposes hereof. 
 “Benefits Transition Period” has the meaning set forth in
Section 3.4 (f). 
 “Cash Retention Award” or “Other Cash Retention Award” has the
meaning set forth in Section 3.6. 
 “COBRA“ means continuation of group health coverage provisions of
the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended and regulations promulgated thereunder. 

“Code” means the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended and regulations promulgated thereunder. 

“Continuing Plans” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.4(f). 

“Employment Agreement“ means any individual employment, retention, incentive bonus, severance or other individual
compensatory agreement between any employee and a member of the SHLD Group or the SHO Group. 
 “ERISA“ means
the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended and regulations promulgated thereunder. 

“Party” means (a) SHO, Hometown, and Outlet, on the one hand, and (b) SHMC, on the other hand. 

“Person” is defined in the Separation Agreement, but for convenience is duplicated here, provided that the definition in
the Separation Agreement controls. Person means any individual, partnership, firm, corporation, limited liability company, association, trust, joint venture, unincorporated organization, other entity or Governmental Authority, as well as any
syndicate or group that would be deemed to be a person under Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act. 
 “Plan
Payee“ means, as to an individual who participates in a Benefit Plan, such individual’s dependents, beneficiaries, alternate payees and alternate recipients, as applicable under such Benefit Plan. 

“Separation Agreement” is defined in the Recitals hereof. 

“SHLD Benefit Plan“ means, as of the Rights Closing Effective Time, any Benefit Plan sponsored, maintained or made
available by any member of the SHLD Group. SHLD Benefit Plan shall also mean any multi-employer plan (as defined in Section 3(37) of 

  
 2 

 
ERISA) to which any member of the SHLD Group contributes for the benefit of its employees. For the avoidance of doubt, no member of the SHLD Group shall be deemed to sponsor or maintain any
Benefit Plan if its relationship to such Benefit Plan is solely to administer such Benefit Plan or provide to SHO any reimbursement in respect of such Benefit Plan. The SHLD Benefit Plans (excluding any multi-employer plans) shall be those Benefit
Plans sponsored, maintained or made available solely by one or more members of the SHLD Group following the Rights Closing Effective Time. SHLD Benefit Plans shall not include the SHO AIP and the SHO LTIP upon the assignment and assumption of such
plans by SHO as of the Rights Closing Effective Time. 
 “SHLD Common Stock” means the common stock of SHLD,
par value $0.01 per share. 
 “SHLD DC Plan” means each of the following qualified defined contribution plans:
the Sears Holdings 401(k) Savings Plan, the Lands’ End, Inc. Retirement Plan, and the Sears Holdings Puerto Rico Savings Plan. 
 “SHLD” means Sears Holdings Corporation. 
 “SHLD
Employment Agreement“ means all Employment Agreements to which any member of the SHLD Group is a party and to which no member of the SHO Group is a party or beneficiary as of the Rights Closing Effective Time. SHLD Employment Agreements
shall not include any Employment Agreement originally between a member of the SHLD Group and a SHO Employee that is assigned to and assumed by the SHO Group as of the Rights Closing Effective Time, in accordance with Section 3.3(d)
below. The SHLD Employment Agreements shall be the responsibility of one or more members of the SHLD Group following the Rights Closing Effective Time. 
 “SHLD Group“ is defined in the Separation Agreement, but for convenience is duplicated here, provided that the definition in the Separation Agreement controls. SHLD Group means,
collectively, SHLD and all of its Subsidiaries other than members of the SHO Group. 
 “SHLD Restricted Stock
Award” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.6. 
 “SHLD Severance Plan” has the meaning
set forth in Section 3.4(e). 
 “SHLD Pension Plan” has the meaning set forth in
Section 3.4(b)(i). 
 “SHLD SRIP” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.4(b)(ii).

 “SHLD Welfare Plan“ means each SHLD Benefit Plan that is a Welfare Plan. 

“SHO AIP” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.5. 

“SHO Benefit Plan“ means any Benefit Plan sponsored, maintained or made available by any member of the SHO Group, and
any Benefit Plan made available to SHO Employees by a designee at the direction of SHO. During the applicable Benefits Transition 

  
 3 

 
Period, the Continuing Plans shall be deemed SHO Benefit Plans, which are made available by SHO to eligible SHO Employees. No member of the SHLD Group shall be deemed to sponsor or maintain any
SHO Benefit Plan if its relationship to such Benefit Plan is solely to administer such Benefit Plan or provide to SHO or any SHO Employee (or Plan Payee) any reimbursement in respect of such Benefit Plan. In addition, SHLD is not responsible for any
federal or state liability that SHO, the SHO Benefit Plan, or SHO’s designee may incur due to the relationship between SHO and the designee, or the structure of the SHO Benefit Plan. 

“SHO Employee” is defined in Section 3.1. 

“SHO Employee Liabilities” means all potential or actual employment-related, employee benefits-related, or other
Liabilities, whether arising on or after the Rights Closing Effective Time, with respect to: (a) SHO Employees (and their respective Plan Payees); (b) any other individuals asserting rights or obligations stemming from their services to or
in connection with the SHO Group or the SHO Business; (c) SHO Employment Agreements; and (d) the SHO Benefit Plans, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement or the Separation Agreement. 

“SHO Employment Agreement“ means any Employment Agreement (a) between the SHLD Group and a SHO Employee who is
transferred to SHO as of the Rights Closing Effective Time, or (b) to which any member of the SHO Group is a party and to which no member of the SHLD Group is a party. The SHO Employment Agreements shall be the sole responsibility of one or
more members of the SHO Group as of the Rights Closing Effective Time. 
 “SHO Group“ is defined in the
Separation Agreement, but for convenience is duplicated here, provided that the definition in the Separation Agreement controls. SHO Group means, collectively, SHO, Hometown, Outlet, and all other Persons that hereafter become a Subsidiary of SHO.

 “SHO LTIP” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.5. 

“SHO Welfare Plan“ means each SHO Benefit Plan that is a Welfare Plan, including Welfare Plans sponsored or maintained
by SHO or by a designee of SHO and made available to SHO Employees, and including the Continuing Plans, as of the Rights Closing Effective Time or during the Benefits Transition Period. 

“Welfare Plan“ means each Benefit Plan that provides life insurance, health care, dental care, vision care, employee
assistance programs (EAP), accidental death and dismemberment insurance, disability, severance, vacation or other group welfare or fringe benefits, including, but not limited to, a benefit that is an “employee welfare benefit plan” as
described in Section 3(1) of ERISA. 
 1.3 Other. In this Agreement (i) “include,”
“includes,” and “including” are inclusive and mean, respectively, “include without limitation,” “includes without limitation,” and “including without limitation,” (ii) “or” is
disjunctive but not necessarily exclusive, (iii) “will” expresses an imperative, an obligation, or a requirement, (iv) numbered “section” and “article” references refer to sections and articles, respectively,
of this Agreement unless otherwise specified, (v) unless otherwise indicated all references to a number of days will mean calendar days unless otherwise specified and all references to months or years will mean calendar months or years, and
(vi) $ or Dollars will mean U.S. Dollars. 

  
 4 

 ARTICLE II 

TERM 
 2.1 General Term. This Agreement shall be in effect commencing immediately following the “Rights Closing Effective Time” specified in the Separation Agreement and continuing until 5:00
p.m. (Central Time) on the last day of the sixty-sixth month following the Rights Closing Effective Time, subject to earlier termination in accordance with Section 6.1. 

ARTICLE III 
 TREATMENT OF SHO EMPLOYEES ON AND AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE 
 3.1
Transfer of Employees. 
 (a) On the Rights Closing Effective Time, (a) all employees of the SHO Group
(“Existing SHO Group Employees”) will remain employees of the SHO Group; and (b) all employees of the SHLD Group who are properly coded in the HRIS systems under code “SHS,” and all other employees of the SHLD Group
who are then working primarily for the SHO Business, shall be transferred from the SHLD Group to a member of the SHO Group or its designee in accordance with applicable Law (“Transferred Employees”). The Existing SHO Group Employees
and the Transferred Employees are referred to collectively as the “SHO Employees.” As a result, members of the SHO Group or their designees will be or become the employers of all of the SHO Employees. 

(b) For the avoidance of doubt: (i) SHO Employees shall include all employees described above who are on a leave of absence, whether
paid or unpaid, from which such employee is permitted to return (in accordance with his or her employer’s personnel policies, as applicable, or applicable Law, as of the Rights Closing Effective Time (“Inactive SHO Employee”);
and (ii) the parties shall complete Schedule 4.1 hereto prior to the Rights Closing Effective Time, constituting a list of all the SHO Employees (including employees on leave), and such schedule shall be binding on the parties.

 (c) Service Provider and/or its Affiliates and the SHO Group shall take reasonable steps to effect an orderly transfer of the
Transferred Employees as of the Rights Closing Effective Time and the applicable employment-related data related to the SHO Employees (including but not limited to salary, payroll, benefit coverage, and compensation history) to the SHO Group,
effective as of the Rights Closing Effective Time (or such earlier date as may be agreed by the parties). Notwithstanding the foregoing, SHMC shall retain copies of or continue to have access to such employment-related data as needed to provide the
Administrative Services contemplated herein. The SHO Group shall pay Service Provider reasonable charges for its and its Affiliates’ services and expenses in connection with the transfer of employees and the transfer of applicable information.
In the event that the SHO Group does not accept the transfer of any SHO Employee, or any SHO Employee elects not to 

  
 5 

 
continue in his or her employment, then the SHO Group shall be responsible for, and shall reimburse Service Provider for, the costs and liabilities arising out of or relating to Service
Provider’s or its Affiliate’s termination or retention of such employees, including without limitation any severance-related liability to which such SHO Employee is or claims to be entitled. 

(d) The terms of this Agreement (including the obligations of SHO pursuant to this Article IV) shall apply to any Inactive SHO
Employee, and SHMC shall deliver to SHO a list of the names of all Inactive SHO Employees as of the Rights Closing Effective Time and SHO shall maintain and update such list and provide thereafter to SHMC as needed to provide the Administrative
Service contemplated hereunder. Until the earlier of the date on which an Inactive SHO Employee is able to return to active employment status, and presents him or herself for work, and the end of the Benefits Transition Period, SHMC shall
(a) provide to such Inactive Service Employee (and each beneficiary or eligible dependent thereof) coverage or eligibility for coverage under the applicable SHLD Benefit Plans, subject to the terms, conditions and continued availability of such
plans, and (b) administer, on behalf of SHO, all claims relating to employee benefit obligations with respect to such Inactive SHO Employee (and each beneficiary or eligible dependent thereof); provided, however, that SHO shall
reimburse SHMC for all costs associated with all such Inactive Service Employees in accordance with Section 5.1 and 5.5 of this Agreement to the extent Service Provider is required to make any payments during the Benefits
Transition Period or thereafter under SHLD Benefit Plans in effect as of the Rights Closing Effective Time and/or during the Benefits Transition Period. 
 3.2 Notice Requirements. The SHO Group shall bear any liability that may accrue to the SHO Employees or to any unit of government under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act of
1988, as amended (the “WARN Act”), or any similar state Law, arising out of (a) the transactions under the Separation Agreement and this Agreement, including the transfer of employees pursuant hereto, and (b) any actions
any action taken by the SHO Group after the Rights Closing Effective Time. 
 3.3 Assignment and Assumption of
Liabilities. Effective as of the Rights Closing Effective Time, Service Provider hereby assigns and SHO hereby assumes and/or retains, all of the following liabilities, obligations and agreements with respect to the SHO Employees, whether
arising before or after the Rights Closing Effective Time, except as expressly otherwise provided in Section 3.4 (for purposes of this Agreement “Assumed Liabilities”): 

(a) the existing collective bargaining agreements; 
 (b) all of the following obligations of Service Provider with respect to the SHO Employees: (i) accrued but unpaid salaries, wages, overtime, bonuses/incentives, including without limitation the
incentive programs referred to in Section 3.3(e) below and the related payroll taxes; (ii) liabilities for accrued but unpaid vacation, illness and other approved leaves of absence; and (iii) liabilities for insurance and
pension contributions to multi-employer plans, if any, pursuant to the terms of any applicable collective bargaining agreement; 

(c) all liabilities and requirements under COBRA with respect to all SHO Employees and their respective Plan Payees who, immediately prior
to the Rights Closing 

  
 6 

 
Effective Time, were participating in, or entitled to present or future benefits under the SHLD Welfare Plans (which shall be deemed to be a SHO Welfare Plan during the Benefits Transition
Period), pursuant to COBRA or who have a COBRA qualifying event (as defined in Section 4980B of the Code) on or after the Rights Closing Effective Time; 
 (d) all liabilities arising out of or relating to all SHO Employment Agreements; 

(e) all liabilities arising out of or relating to claims made by or with respect to SHO Employees under any SHLD Severance Plan;

 (f) all accruals and outstanding liabilities arising out of or relating to (i) fiscal year 2012 under the SHLD AIP and
(ii) the 2010, 2011 and, if applicable as of the Rights Closing Effective Time, the 2012 fiscal year accruals and liabilities under SHLD LTIP, to the extent attributable to Transferred Employees, in accordance with Section 3.5;

 (g) all liabilities arising out of or relating to any SHO Cash Retention Award or Other Cash Retention Award, in accordance
with Section 3.6; 
 (h) all other Liabilities with respect to the employment, service, termination of employment or
termination of service of any SHO Employees, their respective Plan Payees, and other service providers (including any individual who is, or was, an independent contractor, temporary employee, temporary service worker, consultant, freelancer, agency
employee, leased employee, on-call worker, incidental worker, or nonpayroll worker of any member of SHO or in any other employment, non-employment, or retainer arrangement, or relationship with any member of SHO), in each case to the extent arising
in connection with or as a result of employment with or the performance of services for the SHO Business from and after the Rights Closing Effective Time, and 
 (i) all other SHO Employee Liabilities, except as excluded under Section 3.4(b), (c) and (d). 
 Effective as of the Rights Closing Effective Time, SHO shall be solely responsible for all the SHO Assumed Liabilities, and SHMC and its Affiliates shall not have any obligation for SHO Employee
Liabilities. SHMC will provide copies of all SHO Employment Agreements and other assumed documents to SHO. SHMC shall use reasonable efforts to transfer or cause to be transferred to SHO documentation related to such SHO Employment Agreements,
including offer letters, agreements and other instruments reasonably required for the maintenance and administration of the SHO Employment Agreements 
 3.4 Cessation of Participation and Allocation of Liabilities With Respect to Benefit Plans. 
 (a) Benefit Plans Generally. Except as otherwise specifically provided in Section 3.4(f) of this Agreement, as of the Rights Closing Effective Time, each SHO Employee (and each such
individual’s Plan Payees) shall cease participation in all SHLD Benefit Plans (subject to COBRA obligations, which are assumed by the SHO Group pursuant to Section 3.3(c) above) and, as of such time, SHO shall or shall cause another
member of the SHO Group to have in effect or make available such SHO Benefit Plans, including Continuing Plans during the Benefits Transition Period, as are necessary to comply with its obligations pursuant to this Agreement. 

  
 7 

 (b) Pension Benefits. 

(i) As of the Rights Closing Effective Time, each SHO Employee who is a participant in the Sears Holdings Pension Plan
(the “SHLD Pension Plan”) (which is a frozen defined benefit pension plan) will cease to actively participate in the SHLD Pension Plan and will be treated as a terminated participant or retiree, as applicable, under the SHLD Pension
Plan. No additional service will accrue under the SHLD Pension Plan after such date for any purpose (e.g., eligibility or vesting) with respect to a SHO Employee until or unless such SHO Employee again becomes a SHLD employee. Notwithstanding any
other provision contained herein, neither SHO nor its Affiliates will have any Liability with respect to the SHLD Pension Plan for any SHO Employee, and their respective Plan Payees, except as required by Law. 

(ii) As of the Rights Closing Effective Time, each SHO Employee who is a participant in the Sears, Roebuck and Co.’s
Supplemental Retirement Income Plan (the “SHLD SRIP”) (which is a frozen, non-qualified deferred compensation plan that supplements the pension benefit under the SHLD Pension Plan for certain participants of the SHLD Pension Plan)
will cease to actively participate in the SHLD SRIP and will be treated as a terminated participant or retiree, as applicable, under the SHLD SRIP. No additional service will accrue under the SHLD SRIP after such date for any purpose (e.g.,
eligibility or vesting). Notwithstanding any other provision contained herein, neither SHO nor any SHO Affiliate will have any Liability with respect to the SHLD SRIP for any SHO Employee, and their respective Plan Payees, except as required by Law.

 (iii) As soon as practicable after the Rights Closing Effective Time, the recordkeeper for the SHLD Pension
Plan and SHLD SRIP will inform the SHO Employees who are participants in the SHLD Pension Plan and SHLD SRIP of their rights thereunder; and SHLD will process distributions in accordance with the terms of the SHLD Pension Plan and SHLD SRIP, as
applicable. 
 (c) DC Plans. 
 (i) As of the Rights Closing Effective Time, each SHO Employee who is a participant in a SHLD DC Plan will cease to actively participate in such SHLD DC Plan and each such SHO Employee will be treated as
a terminated participant under the SHLD DC Plan, and no additional service will accrue under the SHLD DC Plan after such date for any purpose (e.g., eligibility or vesting) until or unless such SHO Employee again becomes an SHLD employee.
Notwithstanding any other provision contained herein, neither SHO nor any SHO Affiliate will have any Liability with respect to an SHLD DC for any SHO Employee, and their respective Plan Payees, except as required by Law. 

(ii) As soon as practicable after the Rights Closing Effective Time, SHO Employees will be informed of their options with
respect to their account balances under the SHLD DC Plans. 
 (d) Employee Stock Purchase Plan. All SHO Employees shall
cease active participation in the Sears Holdings Corporation Associate Stock Purchase Plan (the “SHLD Associate Stock Purchase Plan”) with respect to offering periods ending after the Rights Closing

  
 8 

 
Effective Time and shall be treated in the same manner as other similarly situated terminated employees of SHMC or its Affiliates. For the avoidance of doubt, the SHO Employees who participated
in the SHLD Associate Stock Purchase Plan prior to the Rights Closing Effective Time shall continue to participate in any offering period under SHLD Associate Stock Purchase Plan ending prior to the Rights Closing Effective Time (subject to any
action taken by any such SHO Employee who is participating in this plan to terminate his or her participation prior to the Rights Closing Effective Time). SHO will have no Liability with respect to the SHLD Associate Stock Purchase Plan for any SHO
Employee, except as required by Law. 
 (e) Severance Plans. All SHO Employees shall cease to be eligible to participate
under any transition pay plan sponsored by SHLD (“SHLD Severance Plans”) as of the Rights Closing Effective Time. Service Provider (including its Subsidiaries and Affiliates) shall have no Liability or obligation under any SHLD
Severance Plan with respect to SHO Employees, and the transfer of an employees of the SHO Group to SHO shall not entitle any such SHO Employee to severance-related pay or benefits under any SHLD Severance Plan. To the extent the SHO Group
establishes a severance plan or policy, SHMC shall provide Administrative Services with respect to such plan or policy in accordance with Article IV and Appendix B. 
 (f) Welfare Plans. 
 (i) Continuing Plans. As of the
Rights Closing Effective Time, the SHO Employees will be eligible to continue to participate in certain SHLD Welfare Plans, as described in, and for the periods and subject to the limitations described in, Appendix B (such plans referred to
as the “Continuing Plans”), to the extent they were eligible to participate in such plans prior to the Rights Closing Effective Time or become eligible to participate during the Benefits Transition Period (as defined herein).
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, participation in such plans is subject to the terms, conditions and continued availability and maintenance of such plans, as they may change from time to time, and SHMC and its Affiliates shall have
the right to terminate and modify such plans from time to time; provided that unless required by Law or by a third party carrier or service provider, SHMC and its Affiliates shall not initiate a change in such plans that is targeted to exclude the
SHO Employees. With respect to each Continuing Plan, the period from the Rights Closing Effective Time through the date on which such Continuing Plan ceases to be available to the SHO Employees, whether by operation, expiration, or termination of
such plan or otherwise, is referred to as the “Benefits Transition Period.” During the Benefits Transition Period, SHMC will be the third party administrator with respect to the Continuing Plans on behalf of SHO, and SHO will be the
fiduciary of such plans for ERISA purposes with respect to SHO Employees participating in a Continuing Plan. 

(ii) Expiration of Continuing Plans. The Benefits Transition Period for a Continuing Plan shall cease as of the
earlier of (A) the end of the applicable Benefits Transition Period as set forth in Appendix B, or (B) the effective date of a SHO Benefit Plan established to replace such Continuing Plan, as of which date the SHO Employees shall
cease to participate or be eligible to participate in such Continuing Plan. 
 (iii) Other Plans. Except
with respect to the Continuing Plans as described in Section 3.4(f)(i) above, all SHO Employees shall cease to be eligible to participate in any SHLD Welfare Plan (subject to COBRA continuation coverage rights, if any) as of the Rights
Closing Effective Time. 

  
 9 

 3.5 Incentive Plans. 

(a) Annual Incentive Plan. The SHO Employees shall cease to be eligible to receive any incentive award under the Sears Holdings
Annual Incentive Plan (“SHLD AIP”) as of the Rights Closing Effective Time. SHO and the SHO Group shall, prior to or as of the Rights Closing Effective Time, establish an Annual Incentive Plan (“SHO AIP”), effective
as of the Rights Closing Effective Time, and shall be solely responsible for all annual incentive awards that become payable under the terms of the SHO AIP for 2012 and any other performance period ending on or after the Rights Closing Effective
Time. All accruals and outstanding liabilities arising out of or relating to fiscal year 2012 attributable to Transferred Employees under the SHLD AIP will be transferred to and assumed by SHO and the SHO Group under the SHO AIP as of the Rights
Closing Effective Time or prior to the payment date, as agreed by the parties prior to the Rights Closing Effective Time. SHO and the SHO Group hereby accept and agree to such assumption and agree to pay all such liabilities under the SHO AIP.

 (b) Long-Term Incentive Plans. The SHO Employees shall cease to be eligible to receive any incentive award under the
Sears Holdings Corporation Long-Term Incentive Program (“SHLD LTIP”) as of the Rights Closing Effective Time. SHO and the SHO Group shall, prior to or as of the Rights Closing Effective Time, establish a Long-Term Incentive Program
(“SHO LTIP”), effective as of the Rights Closing Effective Time, and shall be solely responsible for all incentive awards that become payable under the terms of the SHO LTIP for 2012 and any other performance period ending on or
after the Rights Closing Effective Time. All accruals and outstanding liabilities arising out of or relating to (i) the close out of the 2010-2012 and 2011-2013 incentive programs under the SHLD LTIP with respect to the SHO Employees and
(ii) the 2012-2014 incentive program, if any, will be transferred to and assumed by SHO and the SHO Group under the SHO LTIP as of the Rights Closing Effective Time or prior to the payment date, as agreed by the parties prior to the Rights
Closing Effective Time. SHO and the SHO Group hereby accept and agree to such assumption and agree to pay all such liabilities the SHLD LTIP. 
 (c) SHO also shall be solely responsible for any other incentives or bonuses that have been awarded to SHO Employee as of or after the Rights Closing Effective Time that become payable to SHO Employees
under any other SHO incentive or bonus program with respect to 2012 and any other performance period ending on or after the Rights Closing Effective Time. 
 3.6 Restricted Stock Awards; Cash Retention Awards. 
 (a) Any unvested
restricted stock award with respect to SHLD Common Stock including any cash right or award issued with respect to such restricted stock award (“SHLD Restricted Stock Award”) that was granted under or pursuant to any equity
compensation plan or arrangement of SHLD, that, as of the Rights Closing Effective Time, is held by any SHO Employee, shall be forfeited in accordance with its terms. As of the Rights Closing Effective Time, SHO will award each such SHO Employee
equivalent cash retention award (“SHO 

  
 10 

 Cash Retention Award”), which will continue to be subject to the same (remaining) vesting
schedule as the SHLD Restricted Stock Award it replaces. Equivalent value with respect to the forfeited portion of the SHLD Restricted Stock Award constituted by SHLD Common Stock will be determined based upon the market closing price of SHLD Common
Stock on the day before the Rights Closing Effective Time during regular trading hours. That closing price will be multiplied by the number of forfeited shares (rounded down to the nearest whole share) for each award to arrive at the dollar value of
the Replacement Cash Retention Award. To the extent a SHO Employee also has unvested cash rights or awards issued with respect to his or her unvested SHLD Restricted Stock Award, this amount shall be added to arrive at the value of a SHO Cash
Retention Award. All SHO Cash Retention Awards shall be assigned to and assumed by the SHO Group as of the Rights Closing Effective Time in accordance with Section 3.3. 

(b) Any outstanding SHLD employee retention award payable in cash that was awarded to, and as of the Rights Closing Effective Time is
held by, any SHO Employee (“SHLD Cash Retention Awards”) shall be assigned to and assumed by the SHO Group as of the Rights Closing Effective Time in accordance with Section 3.3 (“Other Cash Retention
Award”). 
 3.7 No Duplication or Acceleration of Benefits. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement
or the Separation Agreement, no SHO Employee shall receive benefits under a SHLD Benefit Plan that duplicate benefits provided by the corresponding SHO Benefit Plan. Furthermore, unless expressly provided for in this Agreement or the Separation
Agreement or required by applicable Law, no provision in this Agreement shall be construed to create any right to accelerate vesting or entitlements to any compensation or Benefit Plan on the part of any SHO Employee or former SHO Employee, except
as specifically provided for under SHO Employment Agreement or Cash Retention Award or Other Cash Retention Award. 
 3.8
Service Crediting under SHO Benefit Plans. 
 (a) General. From and after the Rights Closing Effective Time or
after the Benefits Transition Period, as applicable, SHO shall, and shall cause its Affiliates, and successors to, provide credit under the SHO Benefit Plans to SHO Employees for their service with SHO and its predecessors and affiliates (including
but not limited to service for the SHO Business, the SHO Group, Service Provider and SHLD) for all purposes to the same extent that such service was recognized under the relevant SHLD Benefit Plans prior to the Rights Closing Effective Time or under
the relevant Continuing Plan prior to the lapse of the Benefits Transition Period. Service shall be credited under SHO Benefit Plans for all purposes, including but not limited to, determining eligibility to participate, vesting, and eligibility to
retire; provided, however, that service shall not be recognized to the extent that such recognition would result in the duplication of benefits. 
 (b) Noncontinuous Employees. If a former employee of the SHO Group or SHLD Group (such Group, the “Original Group“) becomes employed by a member of the other Group (such Group, the
“Transferee Group”) without having been continuously employed by a member of the Original Group from the Rights Closing Effective Time through the date such former employee commences active employment with a member of the Transferee
Group, then the Benefits Plans of the Transferee Group will not recognize for any purpose such individual’s 

  
 11 

 service with the Original Group before or after the Rights Closing Effective Time, except to the extent
required by Law or the terms of any such Benefit Plan. If a former employee is rehired by his or her Original Group then all such individual’s service shall be recognized by the Benefit Plans of the Original Group to the extent required by Law
the terms of any such Benefit Plan. 
 3.9 Assignment of Employment Agreements. All SHO Employment Agreements will be
assigned to and assumed by SHO, pursuant to Section 3.3. SHMC will provide copies of all SHO Employment Agreements and other assumed documents to SHO. SHMC shall use reasonable efforts to transfer or cause to be transferred to SHO
documentation related to such SHO Employment Agreements, including offer letters, agreements and other instruments reasonably required for the maintenance and administration of the SHO Employment Agreements. 

3.10 Administration of SHO Benefit Plans. As of and after the Rights Closing Effective Time, SHO or its delegate shall be
exclusively responsible for administering each SHO Benefit Plan, excluding Continuing Plans, and each SHO Employment Agreement in accordance with its terms and for all obligations and liabilities with respect to the SHO Employment Agreements and all
benefits owed to individuals who are parties to the SHO Employment Agreements, whether entered into before, on or after the Rights Closing Effective Time. SHO shall not assume sponsorship, maintenance or administration of any Benefit Plan or
Employment Agreement that is not a SHO Benefit Plan or a SHO Employment Agreement or receive or assume any assets or liabilities in connection with any such Benefit Plan or Employment Agreement. Further, SHO agrees to enforce the non-competition
provision and related definition of “Sears Competitor” under any Employment Agreement assumed by SHO as of the Rights Closing Effective Time, with respect to any termination occurring after the Rights Closing Effective Time with protective
covenants still in effect after the Rights Closing Effective Time and during the term of the Services Agreement. 
 3.11
Plan-Related Litigation. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the management of the defense of all litigation related to the SHLD Benefit Plans, the SHLD Employment Agreements, the SHO Benefit Plans and the SHO Employment
Agreements shall be governed by the Separation Agreement, and this Agreement shall govern the allocation of Liabilities related to any such litigation. 
 3.12 Workers’ Compensation. Except as otherwise expressly provided below, the SHLD Group shall be responsible for all worker’s compensation Liabilities relating to, arising out of or
resulting from any claim by a SHO Employee resulting from an accident or other work-related injury that occurs prior to the Rights Closing Effective Time; provided, however, that with respect to claims by SHO Employees relating to,
arising out of or resulting from an accident or other work-related injury that occurs prior to the Rights Closing Effective Time, the provisions of Section 8.1(b) of the Separation Agreement shall apply. Except as otherwise expressly provided
below, the SHO Group shall be solely responsible for all worker’s compensation Liabilities relating to, arising out of or resulting from any claim by a SHO Employee resulting from an accident or other work-related injury occurring on or
following the Rights Closing Effective Time. With respect to any claim by a SHO Employee relating to, arising out of or resulting from an occupational disease (an “OD Claim”) which becomes manifest at any time prior to, on or after
the Rights Closing Effective Time, if different from the allocation outlined above based on the date the claim arose, Liabilities with respect to such claim 

  
 12 

 
shall be allocable by and between the SHLD Group and the SHO Group in a manner consistent with the manner in which such liabilities are allocated in accordance with the provisions of applicable
Law between the respective issuers of workers’ compensation coverage purchased by each such entity, provided, however, that to the extent any portion of an OD Claim is deemed to have arisen on a date prior to the Rights Closing
Effective Time, such claim shall be subject to the provisions of Section 8.1(b) of the Separation Agreement. The SHO Group and the SHLD Group shall each use its commercially reasonable best efforts to cooperate with each other and their
respective carriers in respect of any such OD Claim, in order to carry out the intent of the immediately preceding sentence, and comply with the terms of the underlying contracts or policies covering such SHO Employee with respect to any such OD
Claim and any applicable law. 
 3.13 Cooperation. Service Provider and SHO shall, and shall cause their respective
Affiliates to use reasonable best efforts to cooperate with respect to any employee compensation or benefits matters that Service Provider or SHO, as applicable, reasonably determines require the cooperation of both Service Provider and SHO in order
to accomplish the objectives of this Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the preceding sentence, (a) Service Provider and SHO shall cooperate in coordinating each of their respective payroll systems in connection with the transfers of
SHO Employees to the SHO Group’s payroll as of the Rights Closing Effective Time, and (b) Service Provider shall transfer records to the SHO Group as reasonably necessary for the proper administration of the participation of SHO Employees
in any SHO Benefit Plan, to the extent such records are in Service Provider’s possession. The obligations of SHO and Service Provider to cooperate pursuant to this Section 3.13 shall remain in effect until all audits of all Benefit
Plans and certification of goals and payments under a SHLD AIP or SHLD LTIP, with respect to which the other Party may have information, have been completed or the applicable statute of limitations with respect to such audits has expired.

 ARTICLE IV 
 ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES 
 4.1 Administrative Services. During
the term of this Agreement, Service Provider (or its Subsidiaries or Affiliates) will provide to the SHO Group certain human resource administrative and business process outsourcing services, as described in Statements of Work
(“SOWs”) to be entered into between the Parties or as otherwise agreed in writing by the Parties (such services referred to as the “Administrative Services”). The Administrative Services shall include aspects of
payroll administration services, time and attendance, employee scheduling, human resources and benefits administration, employee contact center and support services, recruiting and learning support, compensation management support, leadership
development, and other human resources and benefits-related services. Service Provider may provide the Administrative Services directly or through a designee, or may subcontract out all or a portion of the Administrative Services. Except as
otherwise provided in the applicable Statement of Work, nothing in this Agreement shall give Service Provider an exclusive right to provide, or require the SHO Group to purchase exclusively from Service Provider, any administrative services.

 4.2 Use of Services. The SHO Group agrees to the following with regard to its use of the Administrative Services:

  
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 (a) The SHO Group, and not Service Provider, will be solely responsible for all decisions
relating to the relationship between the SHO Group and SHO Employees. 
 (b) The SHO Group will be responsible for the manner in
which it uses Administrative Services, including the manner in which it interprets and acts upon any guidance or recommendation provided by Service Provider. 
 (c) The SHO Group will be responsible for the consequences of any instruction or request SHO may give to Service Provider. 
 (d) The SHO Group shall use Administrative Services in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement as well as any policies established by Service Provider (or its Subsidiaries or
Affiliates) from time to time (provided such policies shall not limit or otherwise modify the terms of this Agreement, including the parties rights or obligations hereunder). 
 (e) The SHO Group shall not resell, directly or indirectly, the Administrative Services or any portion thereof to any Party other than SHO, its Subsidiaries or Affiliates. 

4.3 SOWs. All SOWs must be in writing and signed by both parties to be effective. In the event of a conflict among the
terms of the various documents that at any given time constitute this Agreement, the following order of precedence shall apply: (a) any Amendment thereto (as defined below) shall control over any conflicting terms in the document that it is
amending (e.g., a SOW or this Agreement); and (b) the Agreement shall control over any conflicting terms of an SOW, unless the SOW specifically references conflicting terms of this Agreement that the SOW is changing. 

4.4 Inherent Services. If any services, functions, tasks, activities, or other responsibilities not specifically described in
any SOW but which are reasonably required for the proper performance and provision of the Administrative Services described in any SOW to the same extent and in the same manner as if specifically described herein (collectively, “Inherent
Services”), such services, functions, tasks, activities, and responsibilities shall be deemed to be included within the scope of the Administrative Services to be provided hereunder, as if such services, functions, tasks, activities, and
responsibilities were specifically described in this Agreement or a SOW. 
 4.5 Standard of Care. Except as otherwise set
forth in this Agreement, Service Provider does not assume any responsibility under this Agreement other than to render the Administrative Services in good faith, without willful misconduct or gross negligence. Service Provider makes no other
guarantee, representation, or warranty of any kind (whether express or implied) regarding any of the Services provided hereunder, and expressly disclaims all other guarantees, representations, and warranties of any nature whatsoever, whether
statutory, oral, written, express or implied, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose and any warranties arising from course of dealing or usage of trade. Service Provider will only be obligated to provide
Services in a manner consistent with past practice (including prioritization among projects for Service Provider, Service Provider’s Affiliates, and SHO). Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Service Provider shall not provide any
legal services or legal advice to the SHO Group, the SHO Group is not entitled to rely on Service Provider for legal advice and counsel, nor shall Service Provider’s advice be construed as legal advice. 

  
 14 

 4.6 Good Faith Cooperation; Alternatives. Service Provider and the SHO Group will use
good faith efforts to cooperate with each other in all matters relating to the provision and receipt of the Administrative Services, including acquisition of required third-party contractor consents (if any). If Service Provider reasonably believes
it is unable to provide any Service because of a failure to obtain third-party contractor consents or because of impracticability, Service Provider will notify the SHO Group promptly after Service Provider becomes aware of such fact and the parties
will cooperate to determine the best alternative approach. 
 4.7 Use of Third Parties. Service Provider may use any
Affiliate or any unaffiliated third-party contractor to provide the Administrative Services to the extent the Affiliate or the unaffiliated third-party contractor provides comparable services to Service Provider or, if not, if the SHO Group gives
its prior written consent (which consent the SHO Group will not unreasonably withhold or delay). 
 4.8 Assets of the SHO
Group. During the term of this Agreement, (i) Service Provider and its Affiliates and third-party contractors may use, at no charge, all of the software and other assets, tangible and intangible, of the SHO Group (together, the
“Assets”) to the extent necessary to perform the Administrative Services, and (ii) the SHO Group will consult with Service Provider prior to upgrading or replacing any of the Assets that are necessary for Service Provider to
provide the Administrative Services. 
 4.9 Ownership of Data and Other Assets. Neither Party will acquire any right,
title or interest in any Asset that is owned or licensed by the other and used to provide the Administrative Services. All data provided by or on behalf of a Party to the other Party for the purpose of providing the Administrative Services will
remain the property of the providing Party; provided, however, that with respect to any Continuing Plans, Service Provider shall have the right to retain all data needed to satisfy record retention best practices and ERISA reporting and disclosure
requirements. To the extent the provision of any Administrative Service involves intellectual property, including software or patented or copyrighted material, or material constituting trade secrets, neither Party will copy, modify, reverse
engineer, decompile or in any way alter any of such material, or otherwise use such material in a manner inconsistent with the terms and provisions of this Agreement, without the express written consent of the other Party. All specifications, tapes,
software, programs, services, manuals, materials, and documentation developed or provided by Service Provider or its Affiliates and utilized in performing this Agreement, will be and remain the property of Service Provider or its Affiliates and may
not be sold, transferred, disseminated, or conveyed by the SHO Group to any other entity or used other than in performance of this Agreement without the express written permission of Service Provider. 

4.10 Termination of an Individual Service for Convenience by SHO. Subject to the next sentence, the SHO Group, upon 60-day’s
prior written notice to Service Provider, may terminate for the SHO Group’s convenience any individual Administrative Service at the end of a SHO fiscal month. The SHO Group may not terminate an individual Administrative Service if the
termination would adversely affect Service Provider’s ability to perform another Administrative Service. If any individual Administrative Service is terminated, the 

  
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 Administrative Service Fee shall be reduced by the amount of the reduction in Service Provider’s
variable costs attributable to the terminated Administrative Service, which reduction amount SHO and Service Provider shall determine by good faith negotiations. The SHO Group agrees to reimburse Service Provider for any costs incurred in the
termination of such a service at the request of the SHO Group. 
 4.11 Adjustments. If after the Effective Date, Service
Provider determines in good faith that items included in the Administrative Services cannot be provided or need to be adjusted, then upon Service Provider’s demonstration of such facts, the Parties shall in good faith negotiate an appropriate
adjustment to the Administrative Services. In addition, if there is a change in legislation, adoption of a regulation or other matters that affect Service Provider’s ability to provide certain of the Administrative Services, then upon Service
Provider’s demonstration of such facts, the Parties shall in good faith negotiate an appropriate adjustment to the Administrative Services to be provided. 
 ARTICLE V 
 PAYMENTS BY SHO 

5.1 Fee for Administrative Services. In consideration for the Administrative Services, the SHO Group shall pay to Service Provider
the fees and cost reimbursements set forth on Appendix A (collectively, the “Administrative Service Fee”), in the manner set forth on Appendix A. The Administrative Service Fee will not include amounts payable under
the Services Agreement. The payment of the Administrative Service Fee shall be made by wire transfer to an account to be designated by Service Provider, at such times as shall be agreed between the parties. The payment of the Administrative Service
Fee shall not be subject to any right of setoff. 
 5.2 Audit Rights. The SHO Group shall have the right, from time to
time upon reasonable prior notice and during normal business hours, to inspect Service Provider’s records as reasonably necessary to verify the calculation of costs and fees payable by the SHO Group to Service Provider under this Agreement,
including third party vendor statements and accounts. 
 5.3 Recalculation of Administrative Service Fees. The parties
acknowledge and agree that the Administrative Service Fee was calculated based on the expectation that the fee will compensate Service Provider for its costs related to the provision of Administrative Services under this Agreement (including wages,
benefits, and insurance, but excluding costs of SHO Claims covered by the indemnification provisions of this Agreement, costs of termination or severance which are otherwise to be reimbursed by the SHO Group, and costs of additional services) plus
the profit margin described on Appendix A. If after the date hereof Service Provider in good faith determines that the Administrative Services Fee was miscalculated, or did not fully take into account all costs (other than the excluded costs
referred to in the preceding sentence), or otherwise does not compensate Service Provider for such costs plus such profit margin, then upon Service Provider’s demonstration of such facts, the parties shall in good faith negotiate an appropriate
adjustment to the Administrative Service Fee. In addition, if there is a change in legislation, adoption of a regulation or other matters that result in an increase or decrease in the cost or amount of services from those currently being projected
by Service Provider, then upon Service Provider’s demonstration of such facts, the parties shall in good faith negotiate an appropriate adjustment to the Administrative Service Fee. 

  
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 5.4 Covered Administrative Services. The Administrative Services Fee shall be for the
Administrative Services which shall be more fully described in SOWs or other agreements to be agreed to prior to the Rights Closing Effective Time. In the event that SHO desires Service Provider to provide additional or more comprehensive services,
the Parties shall negotiate with respect to the provision of such services and the fees therefore. 
 5.5 Expenses. In
addition to the Administrative Service Fee, the SHO Group will reimburse Service Provider for all other reasonable out-of-pocket expenses actually incurred in its performance of the Administrative Services, that are not included in the
Administrative Service Fee (“Expenses”). To the extent reasonably practicable, Service Provider will provide the SHO Group with notice of such Expenses prior to incurring them. The SHO Group shall reimburse Service Provider for or
will pay directly any or all third-party contractors providing services to or for the benefit of the SHO Group. 
 5.6 Taxes;
Insurance. Fees do not include applicable taxes. The SHO Group will be responsible for the payment of all taxes payable in connection with the Administrative Services including sales, use, excise, value-added, business, service, goods and
services, consumption, withholding, and other similar taxes or duties, including taxes incurred on transactions between and among Service Provider, its Affiliates, and third-party contractors, along with any related interest and penalties
(“Transaction Taxes”). The SHO Group will reimburse Service Provider for any deficiency relating to Transaction Taxes that are the SHO Group’s responsibility under this Agreement. Notwithstanding anything in this
Section 5.6 to the contrary, each Party will be responsible for its own income and franchise taxes, employment taxes, and property taxes. Each Party will provide to the other Party any resale exemption, multiple points of use
certificates, treaty certification and other exemption information reasonably requested by the other Party. 
 ARTICLE VI

 TERMINATION 
 6.1 Termination of this Agreement. 
 (a) Subject to the next sentence,
either Party may terminate this Agreement in the event of a material breach of this Agreement by the other Party if the breach is curable by the breaching Party and the breaching Party fails to cure the breach within thirty (30) days following
its receipt of written notice of the breach from the non-breaching Party. If the breach is not curable by the breaching Party, the non-breaching Party may immediately terminate this Agreement following the non-breaching Party’s delivery of
notice to the breaching Party. 
 (b) Either Party may terminate this Agreement (whichever Party is entitled to terminate, the
“Terminating Party”) effective immediately upon thirty (30)-days’ advance written notice to the other Party if (i) the Terminating Party or any of its Affiliates terminates the Separation Agreement as a result of a
material breach of, or a material default by, the other Party or its Affiliates of their obligations in the Separation Agreement, (ii) the Terminating Party or any of its Affiliates terminates a License Agreement in accordance with its terms as
a result of a 

  
 17 

 material breach of, or a material default by, the other Party or its Affiliates of their obligations in the
License Agreement, (iii) the Terminating Party or any of its Affiliates terminates the Merchandising Agreement in accordance with its terms as a result of a material breach of, or a material default by, the other Party or its Affiliates of
their obligations in the Merchandising Agreement, or (iv) the Terminating Party or any of its Affiliates terminates the Shop Your Way Rewards Retail Establishment Agreement dated August 8, 2012 between SHO and Service Provider (the
“SYW Agreement”) in accordance with its terms as a result of a material breach of, or a material default by, the other Party or its Affiliates of their obligations in the SYW Agreement. “License Agreement” means
each of the following, each dated August 8, 2012: the Store License Agreement between Hometown and SHMC; the Store License Agreement between Sears Home Appliance Showrooms, LLC and SHMC; the Store License Agreement between Outlet and SHMC; and
the Trademark License Agreement between SHO and Sears, Roebuck and Co. 
 (c) Service Provider may terminate this Agreement if a
Stockholding Change (as defined in the Services Agreement) occurs. 
 (d) The SHO Group and Service Provider each may terminate
this Agreement after the Rights Closing Effective Time, upon at least one year’s prior written notice to the other delivered after the Rights Closing Effective Time (provided such termination date shall be at the end of a payroll
period).
 ARTICLE VII 
 INDEMNIFICATION AND INSURANCE 
 7.1 Indemnification by SHO
Group. The SHO Group will defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Service Provider and its Affiliates and their respective Representatives, from and against any and all costs, liabilities, losses, penalties, expenses and damages (including
reasonable attorneys’ fees) of every kind and nature (“Losses”) arising from or relating to third-party claims, demands, litigation, and suits related to or arising out of the SHO Employees, the employment or termination of the
SHO Employees, or this Agreement (including the performance or nonperformance of services under this Agreement) (together “SHO Claims”), except to the extent that such SHO Claims are caused by: (i) a failure by Service Provider
to comply with reasonable instructions from the SHO Group; or (ii) any grossly negligent act or omission, willful misconduct, or willful failure of Service Provider, its Affiliates, or their respective Representatives in performance of this
Agreement. Without limitation, SHO Claims shall include any claims, demands, litigation and suits arising under or relating to out, or out of, any labor, employment, benefit or other matter relating to any SHO Employee or any former SHO Employee or
any alleged or claimed SHO Employee, any claims relating to whether an individual is or is not considered a SHO Employee, and any claims with respect to hiring, failure to hire, firing, promoting, disciplining, discrimination, harassment,
classification, or other matter relating to any SHO Employee or any former SHO Employee, alleged or claimed. 
 7.2
Indemnification by Service Provider. Service Provider will defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the SHO Group and their respective Affiliates, and their respective Representatives, from and against any and all costs, liabilities, losses,
penalties, expenses and damages (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) of every kind and nature arising from third-party 

  
 18 

 
claims, demands, litigation, and suits, that: (a) relate to bodily injury or death of any person or damage to real and/or tangible personal property directly caused by the gross negligence
or willful misconduct of Service Provider or its Affiliates during the performance of the Services, or (b) relate to the infringement of any copyright or trade secret by an Asset owned by Service Provider or its Affiliates and used by Service
Provider in the performance of the Services (together, “SP Claims”). Notwithstanding the obligations set forth above in this Section 7.2, Service Provider will not defend or indemnify the SHO Group, their respective
Affiliates, or their respective Representatives to the extent that such SP Claims are caused by: (i) a breach of any provision of this Agreement by any member of the SHO Group; (ii) any grossly negligent act or omission, willful
misconduct, or willful failure of any member of the SHO Group, their respective Affiliates, or their respective Representatives in performance of this Agreement; or (iii) with respect to infringement claims: (A) any SHO Group member’s
use of the Asset in combination with any product or information not provided by Service Provider; (B) Any SHO Group member’s distribution, marketing or use for the benefit of third parties of the Asset; (C) any SHO Group member’s
use of the Asset other than as contemplated by this Agreement; or (D) information, direction, specification or materials provided by or on behalf of any SHO Group member. SHO Claims and SP Claims are each individually referred to as a
“Claim.” 
 7.3 Procedure. In the event of a Claim, the indemnified Party will give the indemnifying
Party as well as the Service Provider Legal Department prompt notice in writing of the Claim; but the failure to provide such notice will not release the indemnifying Party from any of its obligations under this Article except to the extent the
indemnifying Party is materially prejudiced by such failure. Upon receipt of such notice the indemnifying Party may assume the defense of the Claim, and if it does assume it will be entitled to control the defense of the Claim at its expense and
through counsel of its choice, by giving notice of its intention to do so to the indemnified Party within twenty (20) business days of the receipt of such notice from the indemnified Party. The indemnifying Party will not, without the prior
written consent of the indemnified Party, (i) settle or compromise any Claim or consent to the entry of any judgment that does not include as an unconditional term thereof the delivery by the claimant or plaintiff to the indemnified Party of a
written release from all liability in respect of the Claim or (ii) settle or compromise any Claim in any manner that may adversely affect the Indemnified Party other than as a result of money damages or other monetary payments that are
indemnified hereunder. The indemnified Party will have the right at its own cost and expense to employ separate counsel and participate in the defense of any Claim. 
 7.4 Limitation of Liability. Except for (a) each Party’s indemnity and defense obligations as set forth in Sections 7.1, 7.2, and 7.3 and other liabilities to
unaffiliated third parties, and (b) a Party’s breach of its confidentiality obligations, in no event will either Party be liable for any consequential, incidental, indirect, special, or punitive damages, losses or expenses (including
business interruption, lost business, lost profits, or lost savings) even if it has been advised of their possible existence. The sole liability of Service Provider and its Affiliates for any and all claims in any manner related to this Agreement
will be the payment of direct damages, not to exceed (for all claims in the aggregate) the Fees received by Service Provider under this Agreement. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, Service Provider will not be liable for
damages caused by Service Provider’s third-party contractors; however, to the extent permitted in a TP Agreement, Service Provider will pass through to SHO applicable rights and remedies under the respective TP Agreement. 

  
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 7.5 Performance. SERVICE PROVIDER MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES, EITHER
EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, THAT THE SERVICES PROVIDED HEREUNDER ARE OR WILL BE ADEQUATE OR SUFFICIENT (AS TO QUANTITY, QUALITY OR TYPE) TO MEET THE NEEDS (INCLUDING ANY SPECIFICALLY IDENTIFIED NEEDS) OR OBJECTIVES OF SHO WITH RESPECT TO THE CONDUCT OF THE
BUSINESS. EXCEPT AS SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT, THE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED ON AN “AS-IS” BASIS. 
 7.6
Insurance. The SHO Group warrants and represents to Service Provider that it has in force at the Rights Closing Effective Time of this Agreement, and will maintain during this Agreement, the following insurance coverage and minimum limits.
Such coverage shall be provided at the SHO Group’s sole cost and expense and shall and purchased from companies having a rating of A- VII or better in the current Best’s Insurance Reports published by A.M. Best Company:

 (a) Commercial General Liability, with coverage including, but not limited to, premises/operations, contractual, personal and
advertising injury, and products/completed operations liabilities, with limits of at least $5,000,000 per occurrence for bodily injury and property damage combined. Limits of liability requirements may be satisfied by a combination of Commercial
General Liability and Umbrella Excess Liability policies 
 (b) Comprehensive automobile liability insurance covering all owned,
hired, and non-owned SHO vehicles, with minimum limits of One Million and No/100 Dollars ($1,000,000.00) combined single limit per occurrence for bodily injury and property damage liability. The SHO Group warrants that all persons operating the SHO
Group’s vehicles are duly licensed and covered under the SHO Group’s automobile liability insurance policy without exception. 
 (c) Workers’ compensation insurance coverage on its employees (including the SHO Employees), individual owners who work in the business and not included in SHO Employees, and any SHO Group
subcontractor employees or independent contractors. Alternatively, with respect to any SHO Group subcontractors or independent contractors, the SHO Group shall require its subcontractors and independent contractors to maintain workers’
compensation insurance coverage if the SHO Group has not obtained workers’ compensation coverage for SHO Group subcontractors or independent contractors. The SHO Group shall keep certificates of insurance documenting such coverage on file and
provide them to Service Provider upon request. The SHO Group agrees to reimburse and indemnify Service Provider for any costs or expenses incurred by Service Provider as a result of the SHO Group’s breach of this provision or the failure of any
subcontractor or independent contractor of the SHO Group to maintain workers’ compensation insurance coverage. 
 (d) All
SHO Group insurance policies required herein shall provide for thirty (30) days written notice to Service Provider prior to cancellation or non-renewal of the coverage. All such insurance policies shall be endorsed to waive any and all rights
of subrogation against Service Provider, its parent company, and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates. Service Provider, its parent company and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates shall be named as additional insureds, with the standard “separation of
Insureds” provision or an endorsement for cross-liability coverage. 

  
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The policies shall be endorsed to state that coverage is primary, and non-contributory with other available coverage, both at no additional cost or expense to Service Provider 

(e) The SHO Group shall submit certificates of insurance to Service Provider evidencing all insurance required pursuant to this Agreement
within thirty (30) days of execution of this Agreement and at any renewal or replacement of such policies. 
 ARTICLE
VIII 
 CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION, WORK PRODUCT, AND INFORMATION 

SECURITY 
 8.1 Confidential Information. 
 (a) “Confidential Information”
means all non-public information received by a Party, its Affiliates, and their respective Representatives (together, the “Receiving Party”) relating to the other Party, its Affiliates, and their respective Representatives
(together, the “Disclosing Party”), in connection with this Agreement, including information concerning SHO Employees, pricing, service history, customer information and lists (except to the extent that these may be shared under
privacy laws and regulations), employee information, sourcing and third party contractor information, costs, product specifications and methods of operations, business plans, strategies, financial information, information technology information, and
other proprietary information, regardless of the manner or medium in which it is furnished to or otherwise obtained by the Receiving Party; provided, that the term “Confidential Information” does not include information which
(i) is or becomes generally available to the public other than as a result of a disclosure by the Receiving Party in violation of this Agreement, (ii) is or was available to the Receiving Party on a non-confidential basis prior to its
disclosure to the Receiving Party by the Disclosing Party, provided that such information did not become available to the Receiving Party, from a Person who, to the Receiving Party’s knowledge and at the time of receipt by the Receiving
Party of the relevant information, is bound by a confidentiality agreement with respect to such information with (or other confidentiality obligation to) the Disclosing Party or another Person or (iii) was or becomes available to the Receiving
Party on a non-confidential basis from a source other than the Disclosing Party, provided that such source is or was (at the time of receipt of the relevant information) not, to the Receiving Party’s knowledge, bound by a confidentiality
agreement with respect to such information with (or other confidentiality obligation to) the Disclosing Party or another Person. 
 (b) The Receiving Party will not disclose, and will cause its Affiliates and Representatives not to disclose, any Confidential Information of the Disclosing Party to any Person; provided, however,
that each Party will be responsible in any event for the acts or omissions of its Affiliates and Representatives to whom it discloses the Disclosing Party’s Confidential Information; and provided, further, that Confidential Information
may be disclosed only: 
 (i) to the Receiving Party’s Affiliates and Representatives in the normal course
of performance of Receiving Party’s obligations under this Agreement; 

  
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 (ii) by the Receiving Party to the extent required by applicable Law, rule
or regulation (including complying with any oral or written questions, interrogatories, requests for information or documents, subpoena, civil investigative demand or similar process to which such Party is subject), with prior notice, if legally
permitted, to the Disclosing Party; 
 (iii) by the Receiving Party, if such Person determines in good faith that
such disclosure is required in order to comply with such Person’s obligations under the federal or state securities laws, rules or regulations, the rules of the NASD or the Nasdaq Stock Market or any other similar body), with prior notice, if
legally permitted, to the Disclosing Party; or 
 (iv) with the prior written consent of the Disclosing Party.

 (c) Nothing contained herein will prevent the use (subject, to the extent possible, to a protective order) of Confidential
Information in connection with the assertion or defense of any claim by or against the other Party. 
 (d) Each Party
acknowledges that if it breaches this Agreement, the other Party may be irreparably and immediately harmed and may not be made whole by monetary damages. Accordingly, the Disclosing Party, in addition to any other remedy to which it may be entitled
in law or equity, is entitled to pursue any injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to compel specific performance of this Agreement, without the need for proof of actual damages. 

(e) If Service Provider’s agreement (or that of a Subsidiary or an Affiliate) with an unaffiliated third-party contractor performing
services hereunder (“TP Agreement”) includes confidentiality terms that are less restrictive than this Agreement (i.e., the TP Agreement permits broader sharing or disclosure of confidential information than permitted in this
Agreement), then, notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the less-restrictive confidentiality terms of the TP Agreement will (i) control over this Agreement and (ii) govern Service Provider’s rights and
obligations in this Agreement regarding the sharing of SHO Confidential Information with the unaffiliated third-party contractor, but in each circumstance only to the extent necessary to permit the unaffiliated third-party contractor to perform the
services. 
 8.2 IT Information Security. The SHO Group, to the extent it uses information technology systems not
provided by Service Provider, and Service Provider will comply with the provisions of SHMC’s IT information security policy, as the same may be revised by SHMC and provided to the SHO Group from time to time, with respect to their activities
under this Agreement, including but not limited to data relating to SHO Employees. 
 ARTICLE IX 

MISCELLANEOUS 
 9.1 Expenses. Except as otherwise provided herein, each Party will bear its own expenses with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. 

  
 22 

 9.2 Waiver of Compliance. Any failure of a Party to comply with any obligation,
covenant, agreement or condition in this Agreement may be waived in writing by the other Party, but such waiver or failure to insist upon strict compliance with such obligation, covenant, agreement or condition will not operate as a waiver of, or
estoppel with respect to, any subsequent or other failure. 
 9.3 Amendment. This Agreement may not be amended except by
a written amendment signed by each Party. 
 9.4 Assignment. The SHO Group may not assign its rights or obligations under
this Agreement without the prior written consent of Service Provider, to be withheld in Service Provider’s absolute discretion. A Stockholding Change will constitute an assignment of this Agreement by the SHO Group for which assignment Service
Provider’s prior written consent will be required. Service Provider may freely assign its rights and obligations under this Agreement to any of its Affiliates without the prior consent of SHO; provided, that any such assignment will not relieve
Service Provider of its obligations hereunder. This Agreement will be binding on, and will inure to the benefit of, the successors and assigns of the parties. 
 9.5 Notices. All notices, requests, demands, waivers and other communications required or permitted to be given under this Agreement must be in writing and will be deemed to have been duly given
(a) when delivered by hand, (b) three (3) business days after it is mailed, certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, with postage prepaid, (c) on the same business day when sent by facsimile if the transmission is
completed before 5:00 p.m. recipient’s time, or one business day after the facsimile is sent, if the transmission is completed on or after 5:00 p.m. recipient’s time or (d) one (1) business day after it is sent by Express Mail,
Federal Express or other courier service, as follows: 
 (a)     if to Service Provider: 

Sears Holdings Management Corporation 
 3333 Beverly Road B5-119A 
 Hoffman Estates, IL 60179 

Attention: Senior Vice President-Finance 
 Facsimile: (847) 286-1699 
 with a copy to: 

Sears Holdings Management Corporation 
 3333 Beverly Road, B6-210B 
 Hoffman Estates, IL 60179 

Attention: General Counsel 
 Facsimile: (847) 286-2471 

  
 23 

	 	(b)	if to the SHO Group, or any member thereof: 

 Sears Authorized Hometown Stores, LLC 
 Sears Outlet Stores, L.L.C. 

Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores, Inc. 
 3333 Beverly Road B4-150A 
 Hoffman Estates, IL 60179 

Attention: Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer 
 Facsimile: (847) 286-7838 
 with a copy to: 

Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores, Inc. 
 3333 Beverly Road B6-260A 
 Hoffman Estates, IL 60179 

Attention: General Counsel 
 Facsimile: (847) 286-0266 
 or such other address as the person to whom notice is to be given
has furnished in writing to the other parties. A notice of change in address will not be deemed to have been given until received by the addressee. 
 9.6 Survival. The provisions of Articles III, V, VI, VII, VIII, and IX will survive any termination or expiration of this Agreement. 

9.7 Headings. The article and section headings contained in this Agreement are inserted for reference purposes only and will not
affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. 
 9.8 No Third Party Rights. Except for the indemnification
rights under this Agreement of any Service Provider or SHO indemnitee in their respective capacities as such, this Agreement is intended to be solely for the benefit of the parties and is not intended to confer any benefits upon, or create any
rights in favor of, any person other than the parties. 
 9.9 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed by facsimile
and in any number of counterparts, each of which will be deemed to be an original, and all of which together will be deemed to be one and the same instrument. 
 9.10 Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is declared by any court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, invalid, void or unenforceable, such provision will (to the extent permitted
under applicable Law) be construed by modifying or limiting it so as to be legal, valid and enforceable to the maximum extent compatible with, and possibly under, applicable Law, and all other provisions of this Agreement will not be affected and
will remain in full force and effect. 
 9.11 Entire Agreement. This Agreement (including the appendices hereto), as well
as the Separation Agreement and the Services Agreement, constitute the entire agreement between the parties hereto and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, oral and written, between the parties hereto with respect to the subject
matter hereof. In the event of any conflict between the Separation Agreement and the Services Agreement, the provisions of this Agreement shall control with respect to any matter relating to the SHO Employees. 

  
 24 

 9.12 Force Majeure. Neither Party will be responsible to the other for any delay in
or failure of performance of its obligations under this Agreement, or under any order placed pursuant to this Agreement, to the extent such delay or failure is attributable to any act of God, act of terrorism, fire, accident, war, embargo or other
governmental act, or riot; provided, however, that the Party affected thereby gives the other Party prompt written notice of the occurrence of any event which is likely to cause any delay or failure setting forth its best estimate of
the length of any delay and any possibility that it will be unable to resume performance; provided, further, that said affected Party will use its commercially reasonable efforts to expeditiously overcome the effects of that event and
resume performance. 
 9.13 Fair Construction; Joint and Several Liability. This Agreement will be deemed to be the joint
work product of the parties without regard to the identity of the draftsperson, and any rule of construction that a document will be interpreted or construed against the drafting Party will not be applicable. All representations, warranties,
indemnification and other obligations of the SHO Group hereunder shall be the joint and several obligations of the SHO Group, and all representations, warranties, indemnification and other obligations of the Service Provider hereunder shall be the
joint and several obligations of the Service Provider 
 9.14 No Agency. Nothing in this Agreement creates a relationship
of agency, partnership, or employer/employee between Service Provider and the SHO Group and it is the intent and desire of the parties that the relationship be and be construed as that of independent contracting parties and not as agents, partners,
joint venturers or a relationship of employer/employee. 
 9.15 Services Operating Committee; Dispute Resolution;
Mediation. 
 (a) Services Operating Committee. The Services Operating Committee established pursuant to the
Services Agreement (the “Services Operating Committee”) will address all day-to-day operational, financial, and other issues that may arise with respect to this Agreement, including its interpretation, the parties’ intent
reflected in this Agreement, and the policies and practices between Service Provider and its Affiliates and the businesses comprising SHO’s businesses in effect immediately prior to the Rights Closing Effective Time, and all Disputes (as
defined below). The Services Operating Committee will discuss all of these issues and will attempt to resolve informally all Disputes in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Services Agreement. 

(b) Dispute Resolution by the Services Operating Committee. 

(i) If a Dispute arises, neither Party may take any formal legal action (such as seeking to terminate this Agreement,
seeking mediation in accordance with Section 9.15(c), or instituting or seeking any judicial or other legal action, relief, or remedy with respect to or arising out of this Agreement) unless the Party has first (i) delivered a
notice of dispute (the “Dispute Notice”) to all of the members of the Services Operating Committee and (ii) complied with the terms of this Section 9.15(b). At the first monthly meeting of the Services Operating
Committee following the delivery of the 

  
 25 

 
Dispute Notice (the “Dispute Meeting”) the Operating Committee will attempt to resolve all of the Disputes that are the subject the Dispute Notice. Each Party will cause its members on
the Services Operating Committee to negotiate in good faith to resolve all Disputes in a timely manner. If by the
10th day following the Dispute Meeting the Services
Operating Committee has not resolved all of the Disputes (the “Resolution Failure Date”) the parties will proceed to mediate the unresolved Disputes (“Unresolved Disputes”) in accordance with Section 9.15(c).

 (ii) Subject to the next sentence, “Dispute” means each claim, controversy, dispute, and
disagreement between, on the one hand, SHO or any of its Affiliates, or any of their respective shareholders, officers, directors, agents, employees, legal representatives (including attorneys in their representative capacity), successors and
assigns and, on the other hand, Service Provider or any of its Affiliates, employees, legal representatives (including attorneys in their representative capacity), successors and assigns, in each case arising out of or relating to a Party’s
performance, or failure to perform, one or more of its obligations in this Agreement. 
 (c) Mediation of
Unresolved Disputes. Service Provider and SHO will in good faith attempt to resolve all Unresolved Disputes by non-binding mediation. Service Provider and SHO will negotiate in good faith to determine the mediator, the mediator’s
compensation and related costs, and the applicable rules for the mediation. If by the 15th day following the Resolution Failure Date Service Provider and SHO have been unable to settle an Unresolved Dispute the obligations of Service Provider and SHO in this Section 9.15(c) will
terminate with respect to the Unresolved Dispute. 
 9.16 Condition Precedent to the Effectiveness of this Agreement.
This Agreement will not become effective until it has been approved by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of SHLD. 

9.17 Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial. 
 (a) This Agreement will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Illinois, without giving effect to the conflicts of law principles thereof. This Agreement will not be
subject to any of the provisions of the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods. 
 (b) Each
of the parties irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the exclusive jurisdiction of any Illinois state court or Federal court of the United States of America, in either case sitting in Cook County, Illinois, and any
appellate court to any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment relating thereto, and each of the parties irrevocably
and unconditionally (i) agrees not to commence any such action or proceeding except in such courts, (ii) agrees that any claim in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such Illinois state court or, to the
extent permitted by law, in such Federal court, (iii) waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any such action or proceeding in any such
Illinois state or Federal court, and (iv) waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such 

  
 26 

 
action or proceeding in any such Illinois state or Federal court. A final judgment in any such action or proceeding will be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the
judgment or in any other manner provided by law. Each Party irrevocably consents to service of process in the manner provided for notices in Section 9.5. Nothing in this Agreement will affect the right of any Party to serve process in
any other manner permitted by Law. 
 (c) EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY WAIVES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE
LAW ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY WITH RESPECT TO ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY
(i) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF THE OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND
(ii) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT, AS APPLICABLE, BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 9.17(c).

 * * * * * 

  
 27 

 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Service Provider and SHO have caused this Agreement to be executed on
the date first written above by their respective duly authorized officers. 
  

			
	Sears Holdings Management Corporation
		
	By:	 	 
	 Name:
	 	
	 Title:
	 	

  

			
	Sears Authorized Hometown Stores, LLC
		
	By:	 	 
	 Name:
	 	
	 Title:
	 	

  

			
	Sears Outlet Stores, L.L.C.
		
	By:	 	 
	 Name:
	 	
	 Title:
	 	

  

			
	Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores, Inc.
		
	By:	 	 
	 Name:
	 	
	 Title:
	 	

  
 28 

 LIST OF APPENDICES 

 

			
	Appendix A	  	Administrative Service Fee
	Appendix B	  	Continuing Plans and Other Benefits-Related Services

  
 29 

 Appendix A 
 Administrative Service Fee and Cost Reimbursement 
 1. For each of the first 24
months during the Term (the “Base ASP”) the monthly Administrative Service Fee will be $30.58 per SHO employee during the month (the “Base Rate”). The Base Rate has been determined by the following formula ($1,896,822
divided by 12) divided by 5,169 (the “Base Employee Number”). The amount of $1,896,822 is Service Provider’s total annual costs to provide the Administrative Services during the Base ASP and includes a 30% profit margin. The
number of SHO employees for each month during the Base ASP will be determined by the following formula: number of SHO employees at the beginning of the month plus the number of SHO employees at the end of the month, divided by 2. 

2. For each of the next two 12-month periods and the final period beginning on the first day following the end of second 12-month
period and ending on the last day of the 66th month
following the Rights Closing Effective Time (each a “Remaining ASP”), SHO and Service Provider will negotiate in good faith to determine the monthly per employee Administrative Service Fee for the Remaining ASP, which negotiations
will reflect the following understandings with respect to the amount of the Administrative Service Fee (clauses a and b being subject to clause d): 
  

	 	a.	The monthly per employee Administrative Service Fee will reflect all of Service Provider’s costs and expenses to provide the Administrative Services (together, the
“Total Costs”); 

  

	 	b.	The monthly per employee Administrative Service Fee will reflect, as Service Provider’s profit margin, an amount equal to 30% of Service Provider’s Total
Costs; 

  

	 	c.	The number of SHO employees for each month during each Remaining ASP will be determined by the following formula: number of SHO employees at the beginning of the month
plus the number of SHO employees at the end of the month, divided by 2; and 

  

	 	d.	The monthly per employee Administrative Service Fee for the first Remaining ASP will not be greater than 120% of the Base Rate, and the monthly per employee
Administrative Service Fee for each of the second Remaining ASP and the third Remaining ASP will not be greater than 120% of the per employee Administrative Service Fee for the immediately preceding Remaining ASP. 

3. SHO also will be billed for and pay Service Provider for all gross payroll, compensation related and other direct costs incurred or paid by Service
Provider in connection with the services provided hereunder, which shall include, and not be limited to all wages (standard and overtime), bonuses, commissions, severance and termination payments, taxes, insurance costs, benefits, contributions and
other direct costs for the SHO Employees. All costs, fees, and reimbursements will be payable by SHO to Service Provider in a manner agreed to by the parties prior to the Rights Closing Effective Time provided that all payroll-related payments shall
be funded by SHO in advance of the applicable payroll payment date (including but not limited to the first payroll date). 

  
 A - 1

 4. SHO will reimburse Service Provider for (a) all costs that are reimbursable by SHO in accordance
with the Agreement and (b) for all services that Service Provider performs at SHO’s request and that are not Administrative Services covered by the Administrative Service Fee. In addition, if Service Provider uses a vendor that is not an
Affiliate of Service Provider to provide the Administrative Services and during any Remaining ASP the vendor increases its prices to provide the Administrative Services, SHO will reimburse Service Provider for the amount of the increase. 

  
 A - 2

 Appendix B 
 Continuing Plans and Other Benefits-Related Services 
  

			
	 Business
	  	 Services Provided

		
	 CONTINUING

PLANS
	  	 1. Active Group Health Coverage under the Sears Holdings Medical Plan, Dental Plan and Flexible Benefits Plan 1

 

a.      Benefits Transition Period – Effective as of the Rights Closing
Effective Time through no later than December 31, 2013.
  
 b.      Post-Rights Closing Effective Time (and so referred to as “Post-Separation”), Service Provider to act as third party administrator on behalf of SHO, which
will continue to offer the Sears Holdings Medical Plan, Dental Plan and Flexible Benefits Plan to eligible SHO Employees without interruption post spin
  

2. COBRA Continuation Coverage 2
  

c.      Post-Separation, Service Provider to provide COBRA continuation coverage
for medical, dental and health care flexible spending account (FSA), as third party administrator of these plans on behalf of SHO, to SHO employees (and their qualified beneficiaries) participating in these plans who incur a qualifying event under
COBRA post-Separation, provided, however, as of January 1, 2014 (or earlier if SHO establishes a SHO Benefit Plan to replace a particular Continuing Plan before January 1, 2014), SHO shall assume COBRA continuation coverage for SHO employees (and
their qualified beneficiaries) who incur a qualifying event post-Separation.
  

3. Other
Benefits 3

 
 d.      Refer
to Exhibit B-1 for a summary of the other benefits sponsored or made available by Service Provider (or a Service Provider affiliate), indicating what was offered to SHO Employees pre-Separation and what will be offered post-Separation, during the
Benefits Transition Period.
  

e.      Any benefit program of Service Provider (or an Affiliate) not listed in
this Appendix B or Exhibit B-1 as offered post-Separation is not intended to be available to SHO Employees post-Separation.

  

	1 	 Each SHO Employee will continue to be responsible for the employee portion of his/her active group health coverage, which will continue to be deducted,
pre-or post-tax, as applicable, from pay. Coverage will be subject to the terms and conditions and the continued availability of each such plan. 

	2 	 Each SHO Employee (or qualified beneficiary) who incurs a qualifying event under COBRA will be responsible for the cost of COBRA continuation coverage
at a rate equal to 102% of the full cost of continued medical and dental coverage. Additional costs related to such COBRA coverage will be paid by SHO. Coverage will be subject to the terms and conditions and the continued availability of each such
plan. 

	3 	 .Each SHO Employee will continue to be responsible for the employee portion of his/her coverage under any of the other benefits, which will continue to
be deducted, pre-or post-tax, as applicable, from such SHO Employee’s SHO pay. 

  
 B - 1

			
	 Business
	  	 Services Provided

		  	 4. Benefits Administration – Continuing Plans

 
 •   With respect to
benefit programs sponsored by Service Provider (or an Affiliate), which will be Continuing Plans for eligible SHO Employees during the Benefits Transition Period, Service Provider will continue to select and manage consultants, brokers, vendors and
the like, as necessary to handle:
  

•   Plan design and eligibility;

•   Day to day operations of the benefit programs;

•   Benchmarking;

•   Plan contract performance guarantees; and

•   Government required filings (e.g. Form 5500 and SAR filings)

  
 B - 2

 Exhibit B-1: Other Continuing Plans 

During the Benefits Transition Period, continued participation by associates of SHO under the following other Continuing Plans will continue to be
offered to otherwise eligible SHO Employees, according to the following table, as if SHO sponsored or made these benefits available with Service Provider (or an Affiliate) acting as the third party administrator, subject to the terms and conditions
and the continued availability of each such program: 
  

							
	 Other Benefit Programs
	  	 Participation Pre-

Separation
	  	Participation
Post-
Separation	  	Benefits Transition
Period
	 Short-Term Disability Program
	  	ü	  	ü	  	See note 1 below
	 Company Paid Life Insurance
	  	ü	  	ü	  	See note 1a below
	 Long-Term Disability Program
	  	ü	  	ü	  	See note 1 below
	 Optional Life Insurance
	  	ü	  	ü	  	See note 1a below
	 Business Travel Accident Insurance
	  	ü	  	ü	  	See note 1 below
	 WorkLife Solutions
	  	ü	  	ü	  	See note 1 below
	 Commuter Benefit Program
	  	ü	  	ü	  	See note 1 below
	 Adoption Assistance Program
	  	ü	  	ü	  	See note 1 below
	 Starbridge Program
	  	ü	  	ü	  	See note 1 below
	 Voluntary Benefits Program
	  	ü	  	ü	  	See note 1 below
	 Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
	  	ü	  	ü	  	See note 1 below
	 Associate Stock Purchase Plan
	  	ü	  	NO	  	N/A
	 401(k) Savings Plan
	  	ü	  	NO	  	N/A2
	 Pension Plan (Frozen)
	  	ü	  	NO	  	N/A
	 Transition Pay Plans
	  	ü	  	NO	  	N/A2

  

	1.	With respect to the noted plans, the Benefits Transition Period shall end as of December 31, 2013, subject to earlier termination in accordance with the definition
of Benefits Transition Period in the Agreement. 

  

	1a.	With respect to the noted plans, the Benefits Transition Period shall end as of December 31, 2012, unless the insurer for these plans notifies SHMC by the Rights
Closing Effective Time that SHO Employees can continue coverage under these plans through December 31, 2013, in which case the Benefits Transition Period for these plans shall be December 31, 2013, all subject to earlier termination in
accordance with the definition of Benefits Transition Period in the Agreement. 

  

	2.	If the SHO Group establishes a severance plan or policy or 401(k) plan, the Service Provider will, to the extent it is providing payroll services as part of the
Administrative Services, handle payment of the severance-related payments and payroll deferrals with respect to such 401(k) plan. 

  
 B - 3

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