Sears To Carry Whirlpool's Jenn-Air Applinaces
By Bob Tita, Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES
CHICAGO -(Dow Jones)- Sears Holdings Corp. (SHLD) stores will become the
exclusive national retailer for Whirlpool Corp.'s (WHR) Jenn-Air brand of
kitchen appliances, the companies said Wednesday.
Jenn-Air cooktops, ranges, dishwashers, built-in refrigerators and other
appliances will be featured in about 255 of Sears' largest stores beginning
later in this month. Whirlpool, the world's largest producer of household
appliances by sales, acquired the premium-priced Jenn-Air line as part of its
purcahse of appliance maker Maytag in 2006.
Jenn-Air has been sold through independent appliance retailers. Whirlpool said
Jenn-Air appliances will continue to be offered through those outlets.
For Sears, the largest appliance retailer in the U.S., the addition the Jenn-
Air line will expand its appliance offerings at a time when the retailer is
trying to attract customers who have significantly reduced their purchases of
appliances during the recession.
"Sears continues to listen to our customers who have voiced their desire for a
super-premium line," said Doug Moore, senior vice president and president of
home appliances for Hoffman Estates, Ill.,-based Sears Holdings.
Benton Harbor, Mich.-based Whirlpool, which also manufactures several models
of Sears' Kenmore appliances, already sells its Whirlpool, Kitchen-Aid and
Maytag appliances through Sears stores.
Whirlpool was recently trading down 3.3% at 71.90, while Sears was down 0.43%
at 67.80.
-By Bob Tita, Dow Jones Newswires; 312-750-4129; robert.tita@dowjones.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
11-04-091613ET
Copyright (c) 2009 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
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