SCHAUMBURG, IL - JULY 20: Kenmore appliances are offered for sale at a Sears retail store on July 20, 2017 in Schaumburg, Illinois. Sears announced today that it had agreed to sell Kenmore appliances on Amazon.com. The news sent Sears' stock price climbing and triggered heavy selling of stock in other appliance retailers including, Home Depot, Best Buy and Lowes. Scott Olson/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==
The new partnership between Amazon.com Inc and Sears Holdings Corp presages more than a convenient way to buy refrigerators and washing machines. It also paves the way to a future where consumers can make fast, automatic purchases of groceries like milk and laundry detergent through Internet-connected appliances, forgoing trips to the supermarket.
For now, the alliance is primarily focused on distribution: giving the beleaguered Sears a much-needed sales outlet for its Kenmore appliance brand as it shutters stores around the country. Amazon gains a partner to take on such competitors as Home Depot Inc, Lowe’s Cos and Best Buy Co, leaders in showcasing appliances in physical outlets.
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