Sears Just Stopped Carrying the No. 1 Appliance Brand

For many years, Whirlpool (NYSE: WHR) was the top appliance brand in the U.S. while Sears Holdings (NASDAQ: SHLD) was the top appliance retailer. Recently, both companies have experienced stiff competition and steady market share losses.

Rather than banding together in an effort to fight back, Whirlpool and Sears Holdings are parting ways. Both companies have confirmed that Sears and Kmart stores will stop carrying Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, and Jenn-Air branded major appliances. The only part of their century-old partnership remaining intact is that Whirlpool will continue to manufacture appliances for Sears' private-label Kenmore brand.

During 2017, it has become apparent that vendors are finally getting spooked by Sears Holdings' dreadful financial results. Sears Holdings CEO Eddie Lampert complained earlier this year about vendors trying to take advantage of the company's weak position to extract better terms.

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Source: Fool.com