Sears Introduces 20 New Products to Help Its Customers Save Time, Money and Energy in a Challenging Economy
Nation's leading retailer of ENERGY STAR庐-rated appliances teams up with NFL star Eli Manning and Blue Man Group to address appliance trends at K/BIS 2009
(Kitchen & Bath Industry Show) -- Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning and entertainment stars Blue Man Group teamed up with Sears, the nation's leading appliance retailer, today to introduce more than 20 new products designed to help Americans save time, money and energy in today's challenging economy.
New product innovations from Kenmore Elite, Bosch, Electrolux, GE and Samsung were featured at a star-studded press event kicking off the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (K/BIS), the leading industry event to showcase the products that change the kitchen and bath through their innovation and ability to meet marketplace needs.
The event included a performance by Blue Man Group and a blueberry pancake cooking contest between Eli Manning and his mother, Olivia, who flipped flapjacks prepared on a Kenmore Elite induction cooktop to raise money for the Eli and Abby Manning Birthing Center. Sears donated $10,000 to the cause and also made a donation of $25,000 to Blue Man Creativity Center's Blue School (www.theblueschool.org), which celebrates intellectual risk-taking, creativity, collaboration, authenticity and empathy, and places these qualities on par with conventional measures of academic achievement.
"We're very excited to have Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning and his mother, Olivia, join us to launch these new products," said Doug Moore, president of home appliances for Sears. "Their family of champions represents quality performance and integrity which aligns with Sears' values. Blue Man Group's creativity is an inspiration for all, whether we're designing appliances or coloring with our children."
K/BIS organizers point out that the show is even more relevant today than ever before, noting that kitchens are the true heart of the home and homeowners are investing their time and hard-earned money into making it the place where family and friends gather most often. They add that bathrooms and laundry rooms also are considered essential rooms for homeowners, as water and energy conservation is an important concern.
Induction Cooking Now Available in Free Standing Ranges with Kenmore Elite
The exclusive Kenmore Elite Induction Ranges are the industry's first option for those customers who want all of the benefits of induction without the expense of remodeling their kitchen. Induction cooking works by producing a magnetic field which heats the pan directly instead of the cooktop. It instantly begins to heat the pan delivering incredibly fast results, at the same time offering incredible control, and because induction heats the pan and not the glass, the problem of baked-on spills and splatters is eliminated. Previously this great new technology was not available to consumers with free standing ranges, which are found in an estimated 75% of U.S. households.
Sears is showing the Kenmore Elite free standing induction range #99913 at K/BIS, which features a full induction cooktop with four induction burners and electronic controls for precise temperature control. The range features 10", 8", 7" and 6" induction elements for flexibility to fit any pan. The burners are controlled with Kenmore Precision Set Controls. These controls allow the customer to increase the power in small increments and monitor the power with digital readouts allowing you to repeat settings easily. Retail Price: $3,199.
Innovative Design, Breakthrough Performance from Kenmore Elite's Black Stainless Large Capacity Trio
Kenmore Elite will also feature its Black Stainless Large Capacity Trio. The ENERGY STAR-qualified large capacity refrigerator combines the best technology with outstanding style for today's modern lifestyle and is also available in stainless steel and white. With a sleek, integrated large ice and water dispenser and modern blue LED smooth touch button control panel, this refrigerator offers beautiful features while offering outstanding capacity and storage space. Retail Price: $3,299.
AutoChef鈩� from Bosch Saves Energy, Cooks Right Every Time
Bosch home appliances chose the Sears booth to announce its patented, exclusive, industry first Bosch AutoChef鈩� sensor cooking, featured exclusively on Bosch 800 Series induction and electric cooktops. AutoChef鈩� ends the guesswork it takes to heat a pan to the right temperature and keep it at that temperature during cooking. It works with a premium aluminum core pan that is included free with the cooktop. AutoChef's innovative sensor measures the temperature from the bottom of the pan and applies only the perfect amount of energy to the element in order to deliver precise cooking results, every time, and without waste of energy. The cooktop heats to the desired temperature and makes an audible sound when its time to place the food in the pan. Retail Price: $1,999 - $2,999.
Electrolux to Show New Wave Touch鈩� and IQ-Touch鈩� Refrigerators
Electrolux will show the latest in ENERGY STAR庐-rated refrigerators, freezers and refrigerator drawers. Among the most exciting new products are the Elextrolux Counter-Depth (26 cubic feet) and Standard Depth (26 cubic feet) Side-By-Side Refrigerators with Wave Touch鈩� Electronic Controls - one simple touch activates the control panel, and after you make your choices, options will fade away, returning to an uncluttered display. The refrigerators also feature Luxury-Design鈩� Glass Shelves crafted for exceptional beauty with a Luxury-Glide鈩� rack system that extends smoothly; Luxury-Glide鈩� Crispers that smoothly glide out and keep produce fresh with adjustable humidity control and minimal temperature variation, and ramp-up designer Luxury-Lighting鈩� that is as beautiful as it is functional. All Elextrolux refrigerators and freezers also offer an Alarm System that notifies you if there's been a power failure, if a door stays ajar for more than five minutes and if the interior temperature of the refrigerator rises above 56 degrees for 20 minutes. Retail Price: $2,199 - $2,999.
GE Profile鈩� Single-Double Wall Oven Makes Culinary History
GE, the company that invented Advantium庐 ovens and Trivection庐 speedcook technology, introduced the exclusive and revolutionary GE Profile鈩� Single-Double Wall Oven, the industry's first single-double wall oven that can cook two dishes at two temperatures at the same time. The 30-inch single-double wall oven makes juggling multiple dishes a breeze and offers the largest total single-double wall oven capacity on the market. The new GE Profile fits two ovens into the space of a single standard wall oven, providing room to evenly roast a 22-pound turkey in the 2.8-cubic-foot lower oven. At the same time, accompanying dishes can be prepared at a separate temperature in the 2.2-cu.-ft. upper oven, so casseroles, trays of hors d'oeuvres, or breads can be served at their peak. The upper oven is so large, in fact, that it can easily hold two 10-1/2-inch-by-14-3/4-inch casserole dishes. With a total 5.0 cubic feet of capacity, it's the largest oven of its kind. Retail Price: $2,799.
Samsung Debuts Powerful Electric Range That Boils Water Up to Six Minutes Quicker
Samsung Electronics America, Inc., teamed up with Sears to unveil its new appliance offerings at K/BIS, including an innovative electric range with a power boil cooktop element that can boil a pot of water nearly six minutes faster than traditional 6"/9" burners. The Samsung FTQ387 also offers 5.9 cubic feet of oven space and three-fan true convection cooking for even baking and roasting. The range comes with Samsung's convenient SteamQuick鈩� cleaning cycle which uses the power of steam to save time, money and energy by cleaning the oven without harsh cleaners in just 20 minutes. Retail Price: $1,299.
New French Door Refrigerators from Samsung Offer Style, Energy Efficiency
Two of Samsung's new French Door Refrigerators will also be on display in the Sears booth, the RFG237 and the RF217. The RFG237 is a counter-depth French Door Refrigerator that fits flush with cabinets to create more workable space in the kitchen while still providing a large 23 cu. ft. of interior room. It also is equipped with an external filtered water and ice dispenser, which is designed to create an integrated look in any kitchen. For those who desire the eye-level convenience of a French Door refrigerator but are restricted by space, Samsung introduces the RF217. Nearly 3" slimmer than traditional models at just 33 inches, it is still packed with features including 19.8 cu. ft of storage capacity, an automatic filtered ice maker in the freezer, a door alarm and gallon door bins. True to Samsung's commitment to bring efficiencies in the home, the entire line of French Door Refrigerators is ENERGY STAR庐 qualified. In addition, Samsung has earned the "Highest in Customer Satisfaction in Refrigerators" from J.D. Power and Associates for the past four years. Retail Price: $1,199 - $2,899.
Samsung Front-Loading Steam Washers Save Resources
At the Sears booth, Samsung also is showcasing its industry-leading and award-winning WF448, the 4.5 cu. ft. high efficiency front loading steam washer. Its extra large capacity means fewer loads saving not only time but also money, water and energy. The ENERGY STAR庐 qualified WF448 is powerful with a maximum spin speed clocked at 1300 RPM yet it is the quietest in its class at that speed. This is achieved through Samsung's acclaimed VRT鈩� technology, which reduces the noise and vibration commonly associated with front load washers. The smooth operation with VRT allows for second floor installation or placement close to living areas. The WF448 also features the cleaning power of steam. In addition to the option to inject steam within the traditional cycles, it also features a deep steam cycle to help loosen dirt and tough stains. Retail Price: $1,399 - $1499.
For more information, visit the Sears booth #C3019 at K/BIS. About Sears Holdings Corporation
Sears Holdings Corporation is the nation's fourth largest broadline retailer with approximately 3,800 full-line and specialty retail stores in the United States and Canada. Sears Holdings is the leading home appliance retailer as well as a leader in tools, lawn and garden, home electronics and automotive repair and maintenance. Key proprietary brands include Kenmore, Craftsman and DieHard, and a broad apparel offering, including such well-known labels as Lands' End, Jaclyn Smith and Joe Boxer, as well as the Apostrophe and Covington brands. It also has Martha Stewart Everyday products, which are offered exclusively in the U.S. by Kmart. We are the nation's largest provider of home services, with more than 12 million service calls made annually. Sears Holdings Corporation operates through its subsidiaries, including Sears, Roebuck and Co. and Kmart Corporation. For more information, visit Sears Holdings' website at www.searsholdings.com.
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