Edgar Filing: SEARS HOMETOWN & OUTLET STORES, INC.

AMENDMENT #12 TO SCHEDULE 13D

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 13D

Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(Amendment No. 12)*

Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores, Inc.

(Name of Issuer)

Common Stock

(Title of Class of Securities)

812362101

(CUSIP Number)

Janice V. Sharry, Esq.

Haynes and Boone, LLP

2323 Victory Avenue, Suite 700

Dallas, Texas 75219

(214) 651-5000

(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications)

December 1, 2016

(Date of Event which Requires Filing of this Statement)

If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report the acquisition that is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this schedule because of §§240.13d-1(e), 240.13d-1(f) or 240.13d-1(g), check the following box. ☐

Note: Schedules filed in paper format shall include a signed original and five copies of the schedule, including all exhibits. See §240.13d-7 for other parties to whom copies are to be sent.

*	The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person’s initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be “filed” for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).


CUSIP No. 812362101


1.	Names of Reporting Persons. ESL Partners, L.P.
2.	Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (See Instructions) (a) ☒ (b) ☐
3.	SEC Use Only
4.	Source of Funds (See Instructions) OO
5.	Check if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings Is Required Pursuant to Items 2(d) or 2(e) ☐
6.	Citizenship or Place of Organization Delaware
Number of Shares Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person With		7.	Sole Voting Power 4,771,352
		8.	Shared Voting Power 0
		9.	Sole Dispositive Power 4,771,352
		10.	Shared Dispositive Power 8,239,613
11.	Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person 13,010,965
12.	Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares (See Instructions) ☐
13.	Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11) 57.3% (1)
14.	Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions) PN

(1)	Based upon 22,716,132 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of October 29, 2016, as disclosed in the Issuer’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended October 29, 2016 that was filed by the Issuer with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 1, 2016.


CUSIP No. 812362101


1.	Names of Reporting Persons. RBS Partners, L.P.
2.	Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (See Instructions) (a) ☒ (b) ☐
3.	SEC Use Only
4.	Source of Funds (See Instructions) OO
5.	Check if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings Is Required Pursuant to Items 2(d) or 2(e) ☐
6.	Citizenship or Place of Organization Delaware
Number of Shares Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person With		7.	Sole Voting Power 4,771,352
		8.	Shared Voting Power 0
		9.	Sole Dispositive Power 4,771,352
		10.	Shared Dispositive Power 8,239,613
11.	Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person 13,010,965
12.	Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares (See Instructions) ☐
13.	Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11) 57.3% (1)
14.	Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions) PN

(1)	Based upon 22,716,132 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of October 29, 2016, as disclosed in the Issuer’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended October 29, 2016 that was filed by the Issuer with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 1, 2016.


CUSIP No. 812362101


1.	Names of Reporting Persons. ESL Investments, Inc.
2.	Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (See Instructions) (a) ☒ (b) ☐
3.	SEC Use Only
4.	Source of Funds (See Instructions) OO
5.	Check if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings Is Required Pursuant to Items 2(d) or 2(e) ☐
6.	Citizenship or Place of Organization Delaware
Number of Shares Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person With		7.	Sole Voting Power 4,771,352
		8.	Shared Voting Power 0
		9.	Sole Dispositive Power 4,771,352
		10.	Shared Dispositive Power 8,239,613
11.	Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person 13,010,965
12.	Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares (See Instructions) ☐
13.	Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11) 57.3% (1)
14.	Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions) CO

(1)	Based upon 22,716,132 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of October 29, 2016, as disclosed in the Issuer’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended October 29, 2016 that was filed by the Issuer with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 1, 2016.


CUSIP No. 812362101


1.	Names of Reporting Persons. Edward S. Lampert
2.	Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (See Instructions) (a) ☒ (b) ☐
3.	SEC Use Only
4.	Source of Funds (See Instructions) OO; PF
5.	Check if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings Is Required Pursuant to Items 2(d) or 2(e) ☐
6.	Citizenship or Place of Organization United States
Number of Shares Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person With		7.	Sole Voting Power 13,010,965
		8.	Shared Voting Power 0
		9.	Sole Dispositive Power 4,771,352
		10.	Shared Dispositive Power 8,239,613
11.	Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person 13,010,965
12.	Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares (See Instructions) ☐
13.	Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11) 57.3% (1)
14.	Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions) IN

(1)	Based upon 22,716,132 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of October 29, 2016, as disclosed in the Issuer’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended October 29, 2016 that was filed by the Issuer with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 1, 2016.

This Amendment No. 12 to Schedule 13D (this “Amendment No. 12”) relates to shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Common Stock”), of Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Issuer”). This Amendment No. 12 amends the Schedule 13D, as previously amended, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by ESL Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“Partners”), RBS Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“RBS”), ESL Investments, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ESL”), and Edward S. Lampert, a United States citizen, by furnishing the information set forth below. Except as otherwise specified in this Amendment No. 12, all previous Items are unchanged. Capitalized terms used herein which are not defined herein have the meanings given to them in the Schedule 13D, as previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

Item 4.

Purpose of Transaction.

Item 4 is hereby amended and supplemented as follows:

“On December 1, 2016, Mr. Lampert, on behalf of himself and the other Reporting Persons, met with representatives of the Issuer to propose that the Issuer consider participating in the process as previously announced by Sears Holdings pursuant to which Sears Holdings is evaluating alternatives for its Kenmore^®, Craftsman^® and DieHard^® brands and its Sears Home Services business. Mr. Lampert communicated that he and the other Reporting Persons would consider acquiring additional securities of the Issuer in connection with any such transaction. There can be no assurance that the Issuer will pursue any transaction between the Issuer and Sears Holdings or that any such transaction will be completed.

Item 5.

Interest in Securities of the Issuer.

Item 5 is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

“(a)-(b) Each Reporting Person declares that neither the filing of this Schedule 13D nor anything herein shall be construed as an admission that such person is, for the purposes of Section 13(d) or 13(g) of the Act or any other purpose, the beneficial owner of any securities covered by this Schedule 13D.

Each Reporting Person may be deemed to be a member of a group with respect to the Issuer or securities of the Issuer for the purposes of Section 13(d) or 13(g) of the Act. Each Reporting Person declares that neither the filing of this Schedule 13D nor anything herein shall be construed as an admission that such person is, for the purposes of Section 13(d) or 13(g) of the Act or any other purpose, (i) acting (or has agreed or is agreeing to act) with any other person as a partnership, limited partnership, syndicate, or other group for the purpose of acquiring, holding, or disposing of securities of the Issuer or otherwise with respect to the Issuer or any securities of the Issuer or (ii) a member of any syndicate or group with respect to the Issuer or any securities of the Issuer.

As of December 2, 2016, the Reporting Persons may be deemed to beneficially own the shares of Common Stock of the Issuer set forth in the table below.


REPORTING PERSON	NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED			PERCENTAGE OF OUTSTANDING SHARES			SOLE VOTING POWER			SHARED VOTING POWER		SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER			SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
ESL Partners, L.P.		13,010,965	(1)		57.3	%		4,771,352			0		4,771,352			8,239,613	(1)
RBS Partners, L.P.		13,010,965	(1)(2)		57.3	%		4,771,352	(2)		0		4,771,352	(2)		8,239,613	(1)
ESL Investments, Inc.		13,010,965	(1)(3)		57.3	%		4,771,352	(3)		0		4,771,352	(3)		8,239,613	(1)
Edward S. Lampert		13,010,965	(1)(4)		57.3	%		13,010,965	(1)(4)		0		4,771,352	(3)		8,239,613	(1)

(1)

This number includes 8,239,613 shares of Common Stock held by Mr. Lampert. Partners has entered into the Lock-Up Agreement with Mr. Lampert that restricts the purchase and sale of securities held by Mr. Lampert. Pursuant to the Lock-Up Agreement, Partners may be deemed to have shared dispositive power over, and to indirectly beneficially own, securities owned by Mr. Lampert. RBS, ESL and Mr. Lampert may also be deemed to have shared dispositive power over, and to indirectly beneficially own, such securities.

(2)	This number includes 4,771,352 shares of Common Stock held by Partners. RBS is the general partner of, and may be deemed to indirectly beneficially own securities owned by, Partners.

(3)	This number includes 4,771,352 shares of Common Stock held by Partners. ESL is the general partner of, and may be deemed to indirectly beneficially own securities owned by, RBS.

(4)	This number includes 4,771,352 shares of Common Stock held by Partners. Mr. Lampert is the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Director of, and may be deemed to indirectly beneficially own securities owned by, ESL.

(c) There have been no transactions in the class of securities reported on that were effected by the Reporting Persons during the past sixty days or since the most recent filing of Schedule 13D, whichever is less.

(d) Not applicable.

(e) Not applicable.”

Item 6.

Contracts, Arrangements, Understandings or Relationships With Respect to Securities of the Issuer.

Item 6 is hereby amended and supplemented as follows:

“The information set forth in Item 4 is incorporated by reference into this Item 6.”

Item 7.

Material to be Filed as Exhibits.

Item 7 is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

“The following exhibits are filed as exhibits hereto:


Exhibit		Description of Exhibit

99.2		Letter Agreement, dated June 2, 2010, by and between ESL Partners, L.P. and Edward S. Lampert (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to the Schedule 13D relating to the Common Stock of the Issuer filed on September 12, 2012 by the Reporting Persons, SPE I Partners, LP, SPE Master I, LP, ESL Institutional Partners, L.P., RBS Investment Management, L.L.C. and CRK Partners, LLC with the Securities and Exchange Commission).

99.6		Joint Filing Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.6 to the Schedule 13D relating to the Common Stock of the Issuer filed on January 5, 2016 by the Reporting Persons with the Securities and Exchange Commission).”

SIGNATURE

After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.


Date: December 2, 2016	ESL PARTNERS, L.P.

	By: RBS Partners, L.P., as its general partner

	By: ESL Investments, Inc., as its general partner

	By:	/s/ Edward S. Lampert
	Name:	Edward S. Lampert
	Title:	Chief Executive Officer

	RBS PARTNERS, L.P.

	By: ESL Investments, Inc., as its general partner

	By:	/s/ Edward S. Lampert
	Name:	Edward S. Lampert
	Title:	Chief Executive Officer

	ESL INVESTMENTS, INC.

	By:	/s/ Edward S. Lampert
	Name:	Edward S. Lampert
	Title:	Chief Executive Officer

	EDWARD S. LAMPERT

	By:	/s/ Edward S. Lampert

EXHIBIT INDEX


Exhibit		Description of Exhibit

99.2		Letter Agreement, dated June 2, 2010, by and between ESL Partners, L.P. and Edward S. Lampert (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to the Schedule 13D relating to the Common Stock of the Issuer filed on September 12, 2012 by the Reporting Persons, SPE I Partners, LP, SPE Master I, LP, ESL Institutional Partners, L.P., RBS Investment Management, L.L.C. and CRK Partners, LLC with the Securities and Exchange Commission).

99.6		Joint Filing Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.6 to the Schedule 13D relating to the Common Stock of the Issuer filed on January 5, 2016 by the Reporting Persons with the Securities and Exchange Commission).