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UPDATE: Sears To Carry Whirlpool's Jenn-Air Appliances

(Adds prices of Jenn-Air appliances and closing stock prices, in the third and seventh paragraphs.)

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 purchase of appliance maker Maytag in 2006.

Jenn-Air products have been sold through independent appliance retailers. Whirlpool said Jenn-Air appliances will continue to be offered through those outlets. Prices for Jenn-Air refrigerators range from $7,200 to $9,900; for dishwashers, from $1,000 to $1,500; and for wall ovens, from $1,899 to $4,900.

For Sears, the largest appliance retailer in the U.S., the addition of the Jenn-Air line will expand its offerings of high-end appliances 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 shares ended the regular session Wednesday down 3.3% at $71.91 a share, while Sears ended up 0.04% at $68.12 a share.

-By Bob Tita, Dow Jones Newswires; 312-750-4129; robert.tita@dowjones.com

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  11-04-091740ET
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