Whirlpool Gives Customers 1 Less Reason to Shop at Sears

Whirlpool Gives Customers 1 Less Reason to Shop at Sears

Not kicking a man when he's down might be the gallant way of resolving a fight, but in the hurly-burly of a competitive marketplace, Whirlpool (NYSE: WHR) is seeking to stomp on its debilitated rival, Sears Holdings (NASDAQ: SHLD). A dispute that has been simmering all year long is culminating with Whirlpool's move to pull its appliances from Sears stores, effectively ending a relationship that spanned more than 100 years.

Kenmore used to be one of Sears' crown-jewel brands, owning a 40% share of the appliance market as recently as 2002. Through a special relationship it's had with Whirlpool in one form or another that dated back to 1916, it was Whirlpool that made Kenmore appliances for Sears. Moreover, Whirlpool was required to introduce features on the Kenmore brand first before it offered them on its own products.

Image source: Whirlpool.

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Source: Fool.com