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
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
11-04-091740ET
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