Now that home improvement materials are selling like hot cakes,, Sears is hoping it can capitalize on the DIY trend by selling paint for the first time in four years.
Noting that a strong housing market has prompted an increase in home improvement projects, Sears said it will sell Craftsman, Weatherbeater, and Easy Living paint brands in 23 locations first, before eventually expanding to the rest of its U.S. stores. Paint accessories like brushes and tape will also be available in Sears home improvement sections, the company said, along with “a trained sales team in all paint stores to assist customers in finding the best product for their project.”
“After stepping away from the paint business in 2012, we are seeing the demand from our customers to bring it back. With updated paint mixing technology, and by enlisting dedicated and trained associates, we are confident the time is right to re-enter the category and fill a need for our members,” said Dean Schwartz, vice president of Tools, Lawn and Garden at Sears in a press release.
The first stores to get paint will be: Albany, NY, Glen Burnie, MD, Oak Brook, IL, Aurora, IL, Des Moines, IA, Westland, MI., Sterling Heights, MI, Novi, MI, Livonia, MI, Saginaw, MI, Flint, MI, Muncie, IN, Altoona, PA, Lansing, MI, Louisville, KY, Whitehall, PA, Wilmington, Del., Moorestown, N.J., Pittsburgh, PA, Greensburg, PA, Waldorf, MD, St. Clairsville, OH., Niles, OH.
Sears is in need of a boost: after reporting last week that sales had dropped yet again, the company announced it would be borrowing $300 million from its own CEO.
by Mary Beth Quirk via Consumerist