Sears Launches Kenmore庐 Make-It-Spectacular Online Experience and Sweepstakes March 1, 2008
International Builders Show -- As the culinary craze continues to sweep through America and more and more consumers are looking for ways to make their dream kitchen project simpler, Kenmore庐 is launching the new Make-It-Spectacular online experience where customers can get design inspiration and one-stop shopping tools.
The Make-It-Spectacular online experience is an aspirational extension of the Kenmore Make-It-Simple platform. The site is located at kenmore.com/kitchens.
Launching March 1, 2008, the site is built around six spectacular new Kenmore Kitchen Suites designed by Eric Cohler, a New York-based designer who was named one of the 14 "Best of the Best" in the "next wave of designers in America".
Consulting with Sears and Kenmore, Cohler designed kitchen suites ranging from an easy living space to the aspiring chef's dream. Each has a distinctive style and features appliances from the Kenmore, Kenmore Elite庐 and Kenmore PRO鈩� lines. Consumers exploring the Kenmore suites virtually may immediately be drawn to their beauty, but the suites were designed to be as functional as they are attractive.
"Each of the kitchen designs was built on functionality," explains Cohler. "The appliances were positioned to make cooking, cleaning, entertaining and life in the kitchen easier, more efficient and fun. It's about being sensitive to the needs and lifestyle of the family using the kitchen."
The Kenmore appliances chosen for each suite, along with the suite's layouts, were geared to simplifying the cooking experience while providing six spectacular new looks. Cohler's design trick of placing the appliances in a "work triangle" creates an invisible triangular path between the appliances for maximum efficiency and keeps the major workstations near the chef without cramping the kitchen. As the heroes of Eric Cohler's new suites, the Kenmore Elite and PRO lines of appliances were incorporated to help simplify meal preparation while satisfying the aspiring chef's desire for professional performance and sleek design features. Customers visiting kenmore.com/kitchens will be able to explore high-end appliances such as the Kenmore Elite TRIO庐 refrigerators with wide-open shelves for greater organization; the Kenmore Elite dishwashers with TurboZone鈩�, which save time and energy by cleaning stubborn, baked-on foods; the Kenmore PRO cooktop with a 21,000 BTU bridge burner that gives the home chef a multitude of cooking options; and the Kenmore Elite convection oven with auto-conversion, which takes the guesswork out of cooking. More innovations are available for viewing on the site, and all appliances chosen hearken back to Kenmore's Make-It-Simple platform while giving it a spectacular new twist.
While planning a kitchen renovation can be a daunting task, the new Kenmore site was designed to make the consumer experience of planning and coordinating a kitchen renovation much simpler. Consumers visiting the site will get expert advice from the Kenmore Make-It-Simple team, access to planning and buying tools, plus comprehensive shopping support, with product links, a feature to set up an in-store kitchen consultation appointment with an associate, and the ability to print brochures and appliance rebate offers. Championing the experience is Cohler, who is featured in video clips throughout the site giving customers access to expertise and ideas to help them choose their Kenmore suite.
"A coordinated suite of appliances removes second guessing from kitchen design. The work is already done for the homeowner, making coordination and purchase decisions much simpler," says Cohler. "Kenmore suites give homeowners a uniform and sharp-looking set of appliances that are both easy to use and available through one-stop shopping."
Eric Cohler is not the only Kenmore expert who makes the site experience spectacular. It also features video clips with tips and commentary from Bibby Gignilliat, [JIN-A-LOT] Kenmore cooking expert and founder of "Parties that Cook," and Amy Allen Clark, founder of MomAdvice.com and mother of two. While Gignilliat tells consumers about her favorite Kenmore features and provides her recommendations for the aspiring home chef considering a renovation, Clark gives customers the inside scoop on her top kitchen must-haves for safety, efficiency and functionality for a busy family. Between the three experts, the site is a comprehensive and inspirational planning tool for anyone aspiring to build their dream kitchen.
"Kitchens are the heart of the home. They are the new living room. Appliances are central to life in the kitchen, given their role in meal prep and caring for your food and family, so finding the right one for your needs and designing a kitchen that makes using your appliances easy and efficient is the difference between one that is just beautiful and one that is truly spectacular," says Tina Settecase, vice president and general manager of Home Appliances, Sears, Roebuck and Co. "We're excited to bring together the perspectives of our talented team of experts to help consumers find in one place the advice that they need in order to create a kitchen that works for their needs and their family."
Make-It-Spectacular Sweepstakes
To support the launch of the new Kenmore suites and online experience, Sears will also host the Kenmore Make-It-Spectacular Sweepstakes. Customers visiting kenmore.com/kitchens between March 1 and April 30, 2008, can enter for a chance to win a suite of innovative Kenmore appliances, $20,000 to make over their kitchen and a custom kitchen design by Eric Cohler.
National Reimagine Your Kitchen Month
To make it even easier for consumers to get started on their kitchen renovations, Sears will also launch "National Reimagine Your Kitchen Month" in April, in conjunction with its sponsorship of the National Kitchen & Bath Industry Show, to be held April 11-13 in Chicago. "National Reimagine Your Kitchen Month" will bring an exclusive makeover opportunity to 1,000 customers nationwide. Sears customers wishing to update their kitchen can sign up for a kitchen makeover party in which they can invite their friends and families to help them refresh their kitchen in one day, using valuable design tools and offers provided by Sears and Kenmore.
The hosts of the kitchen makeover parties will receive "designer-in-a-box" ideas from Eric Cohler, which will educate them on quick and easy ways to refresh their kitchen in one day with limited funds; how-to information from the Sears Manage My Home group; and special offers on products, such as appliances, tools and paint. Co-partnerships with suppliers for flooring, lighting and cabinets will help customers complete their look. Alternatively, customers already in the process of making over their kitchen have the option to choose a party to unveil their new space to their friends and families. The parties will be hosted by House Party, a New York-based event company. Customers wishing to sign up for a kitchen makeover party for National Reimagine Your Kitchen Month can do so at kenmore.com/kitchens.
First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:
SOURCE: Sears, Roebuck and Co.
CONTACT: Larry Costello of Sears, Roebuck and Co., +1-847-286-9036,
lcoste5@searshc.com
Web site: