Sears cuts a deal with Amazon.com

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. - Sears will soon sell appliances on Amazon.com, including smart appliances that can be synced with Amazon’s voice assistant, Alexa.

The announcement Thursday sent shares of Sears soaring more than 18 percent at the opening bell. The tie-up with the internet behemoth left shares of the storied retailer up 10.6 percent, at $9.60, at close Thursday.

Sears, which also owns Kmart, said its Kenmore Smart appliances will be fully integrated with Amazon’s Alexa, allowing users to control things like air conditioners through voice commands.

“The launch of Kenmore products on Amazon.com will significantly expand the distribution and availability of the Kenmore brand in the U.S.,” Chairman and CEO Edward Lampert state.

Sears has struggled with weak sales for years and announced more store closings earlier this month, partly because of the emergence of Amazon.com and other internet operators. Sears said in March that there was “substantial doubt” it could continue after years of bleeding money.

Many took the agreement Thursday with Amazon.com as a lifeline, with the volume of trading in Sears shares just at the opening bell enormous.

The agreement goes beyond the point of sale, however. Also part of the deal for Sears is delivery, installation and the service work that comes with product warranties, which will be provided by Sears Home Services.

Amazon has changed the face of retail since it became a public company two decades ago. It announced last month it was testing a new wardrobe service that lets its Prime members try on styles before they put items on their charge card — at no upfront fee. at comics .azcentral.com