Frigidaire Shipping Overhauled Gallery, Professional Platforms By Alan Wolf - 10/12/2009
AUGUSTA, GA. — The largest launch in Frigidaire brand history continues its weeks-long rollout to national and independent dealers this month. The undertaking, which was years in the making, includes a sweeping overhaul of the brand's midtier Gallery line and step-up Professional platform, as well as a new marketing push featuring celebrity spokeswoman Jennifer Garner, a charitable cause ...
More
Majap Survey: Best Buy Tops In Customer Satisfaction By Alan Wolf - 09/28/2009
WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CALIF. — Best Buy ranked highest in customer satisfaction among national and multi-regional major appliance retailers, according to a new report by J.D. Power and Associates. The 2009 Appliance Retailer Study also showed that majap dealers have raised their average close rate to 37 percent, up from 32 percent last year, and that consumers are increasingly choosing chains...
More
States' 'Cash For Clunkers' Majap Deadline Nears By Alan Wolf - 09/28/2009
WASHINGTON — States have until Oct. 15 to submit final applications to participate in a $300 million federal appliance rebate program. The effort, part of the Obama administration's economic-stimulus package, mirrors the auto industry's “cash for clunkers” program in that purchases of new, energy-efficient appliances will be partially subsidized with federal funds.
More
NATM: Majap Promos Will Spark Q4 Sales By Alan Wolf - 09/28/2009
DALLAS — A combination of manufacturer promotions and federal rebates could jump-start sales of major appliances this fall, executives of the NATM Buying Corp. said. Bill Trawick, president and executive director of the $3 billion group, believes that national vendor programs providing discounts of 10 percent to as much as 40-percent off select products, along with Energy Star rebates and...
More
J.D. Power: Samsung Majaps Satisfy By Steve Smith - 09/21/2009
WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CALIF.— Samsung was the big winner in the latest J.D. Power and Associates reports on customer satisfaction with major appliances, with the Korean manufacturer being No. 1 in three of five main categories. In the annual consumer studies, Samsung was No. 1 in overall customer satisfaction for clothes washers, clothes dryers and refrigerators, while Kenmore Elite was No.
More
MEGA Concludes Upbeat Convention By Alan Wolf - 09/21/2009
San Antonio— MEGA Group USA, the 1,400-member buying organization for independent appliance, home furnishings and CE dealers, wrapped up a buoyant four-day fall convention here at the Marriot Riverwalk Hotel earlier this month. The group, also known as Best Brands Plus, reported a strong turnout of attendees and exhibitors.
More
LG Stays The Course In Premium Majaps: Execs By Alan Wolf - 09/10/2009
NEW YORK — The effect of the 3-year-old majap malaise on the traditionally recession-resistant premium tier was acknowledged by LG Electronics USA president Teddy Hwang during a recent summer product showcase at New York's Lincoln Center. Hwang, a former president of LG's U.S. digital appliance brand division, said the company positioned itself at the high end of the market, assuming the No.
More
Bosch Pitches $4K Kitchen In Rebate Promo By Alan Wolf - 09/10/2009
HUNTINGTON BEACH, CALIF. — With the effects of the recession and depressed housing market now impacting even super-premium appliances, luxury majap maker Bosch is emphasizing affordability and energy savings in its consumer communications. To underscore the point, the company is getting out the message that a full Bosch stainless-steel kitchen can be had for less than $4,000 with its comp...
More
Nationwide Hopeful About Q4 Majaps Prospects By Steve Smith - 09/10/2009
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLA. — While the major appliance business is still suffering, Adam Thomas, appliance merchandising senior VP for the Nationwide Marketing Group, sees some hope for his members in the fourth quarter based on the their strength and the quality of its supplier relationships. Nationwide, with $12 billion in sales generated by more than 3,000 members, met last month at its an...
More
Frigidaire Recalls 35,000 Washers 08/24/2009
CLEVELAND — Frigidaire has voluntarily recalled three series of clothes washers due to a possible fire hazard. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), an internal defect in the washers' drain pumps can cause heat to build up, posing a fire hazard to consumers. The recalled washers include top-load, 3.
More
Appliance Direct Drops 21 Rex Leases 08/24/2009
Dayton, Ohio— Appliance Direct, the central Florida white-goods chain, has cut the number of locations it will lease from Rex Stores, from 37, to 16. According to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the companies amended their lease agreements last month, relieving Appliance Direct of its obligation to lease all 37 storefronts, as originally agreed to in February.
More
Haier, F&P Extend Majap Partnership By Alan Wolf - 08/24/2009
Huntington Beach, Calif.— Haier, China's largest majap maker, and Fisher & Paykel (F&P), the premium appliance manufacturer, are exploring opportunities to cross market their products in the United States. The move would extend a strategic partnership formed last May when Haier purchased a 20 percent stake in the New Zealand vendor and added its chief financial officer and chief m...
More
Jemal, Kan Promoted In Haier America Restructuring By Alan Wolf - 08/24/2009
New York — Haier America president/CEO Michael Jemal has been named chairman, and executive VP Shariff Kan has been promoted to president of a newly formed white-goods group, as part of a company restructuring. The reorganization will allow the CE and appliance supplier to “better focus on profitable growth and existing market opportunities,” the company said.
More
Sears Opens First In-Store Majap Shop Inside Kmart By Alan Wolf - 08/03/2009
BIRMINGHAM, ALA. — Sears Holdings has opened its first Sears-branded appliance store inside a Kmart. The store-within-a-store debuted last month inside what had been the garden department of a Birmingham, Ala., Kmart. The 4,000-square-foot shop holds less than two-thirds of the assortment found in a typical Sears store, but substantially more SKUs than are found in the approximately 280 K...
More
Bertazzoni Adds Entry-Level Line By Alan Wolf - 07/20/2009
GUASTALLA, ITALY — In a sign of the times, Bertazzoni, the Italian luxury majap maker, has added an entry-level line to its collection of super-premium ranges. The new Master series is priced about 20 percent below comparable cooking products, the manufacturer said, but retains the company's professional-grade design and technologically advanced features.
More
Vendors Look Outdoors To Spark Appliance Sales By Alan Wolf - 07/20/2009
NEW YORK — With the appliance industry still in the depths of its worst downturn in memory, vendors and dealers are looking outside the kitchen and laundry room for sales salvation. That search has actually taken them outside the home altogether and into the backyard, where more consumers are expected to spend their “staycations” given the current economic climate.
More
Majap Shipments Continue Nosedive By Alan Wolf - 07/06/2009
WASHINGTON— Unit shipments of major appliances fell more than 17 percent in May, marking the sixth consecutive month of double-digit declines in factory sales. According to data compiled by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM), total shipments fell by nearly a million units in May and were off by about 5 million units, or nearly 17 percent, year to date.
More
K/BIS Recap: Smaller Vendors Come To The Fore By Alan Wolf - 06/01/2009
ATLANTA — The diminished presence of many of the appliance industry's largest manufacturers at last month's Kitchen/Bath Industry Show here allowed new and smaller brands to bask in the spotlight. Among them was Blomberg, the U.S. arm of Turkey's Arcelik, Europe's No. 3 majap maker, which made its K/BIS debut with a full line of refrigerators, dishwashers and laundry products.
More
Majap Makers Press On With Product Enhancements By Alan Wolf - 05/04/2009
Atlanta — The crowds were lighter and exhibitors fewer at the Kitchen/Bath Industry Show (K/BIS), held this past weekend at the Georgia World Congress Center, but that didn’t stop those in attendance from debuting and reviewing a bumper crop of major appliance introductions.
More
