Sears partners with Amazon to install tires

Shoppers who purchase tires from online giant Amazon will soon be able to head to the nearest Sears to have them installed, the latest move by the famous department store chain to make itself relevant in a digital age.

The news came as Sears leadership met with shareholders Tuesday and emphasized that it will continue leveraging such partnerships — even as it leaves the door open to more store closures and other cuts — to turn around its finances.

Sears shares soared in the wake of the announcement, rising 15.94% to $3.20 and then closing at the same level at the end of the trading day.

Starting in the next several weeks, Amazon shoppers will be able to buy tires online, pick a Sears Auto Center along with a date and time when they want to have the tires mounted, and then wait to be contacted by the center to confirm an appointment.

The service will be offered at 47 Sears Auto Centers to start in eight cities. They include Chicago, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Dallas, Miami, New York and San Francisco as well as Washington, D.C. Soon after, it will be available at the more than 400 Sears Auto Centers throughout the U.S.

It’s the latest link-up between Amazon and Sears. Sears started selling its Kenmore-branded appliances on Amazon in July. Five months later, it began to offer DieHard branded automotive items such as battery chargers on the site. DieHard tires will now also be for sale, though the Sears installation services are good for any brand of tire that shoppers buy at Amazon.com.