Many of our retail competitors have much lower cost structures that allow them to run different business models that are valued by both employees and customers alike.

These two experienced and highly effective executives will bring Sears Holdings a new level of creativity and focus on marketing and our customer relationships. I particularly value the winning attitude and record of success that they will bring to Sears Holdings, and I expect them to help lead the ongoing change in Sears' culture.

We don't want two separate cultures but to blend it into one great culture. ... The idea is to make the stores more competitive while staying focused on the customer.

The Next Warren Buffett?

If we put a product into Sears, we don't want to have to pull it out in a year, or two years, or three years. We don't want to do that only to have it yanked away.

In the past, we had a situation where people worked here but could not get results. We need to invest in those people.