Sears Sees New Product Trends Driving Gifts for Dad This Father's Day
From Grills and Drills to Socks and Sockets, Sears Has the Gifts That Are Right for Dad
Sears, Roebuck and Co. (NYSE: S) is projecting that consumer trends toward portable, digital and advanced technology products will shape Father's Day gift giving this year. However, traditional gifts, such as grills and shirts, also are expected to remain popular for Dad.
Sears sees some of the most popular Father's Day items this year being those that combine new technology with familiar gift ideas:
-- New innovations for the toolbox or workshop reflecting contemporary
trends bring new choices to this traditional Father's Day gift category
at Sears this year. Consumers are buying more cordless, battery-powered
tool and lawn and garden products, which are now available in a wider
range of items. And tools with integrated lasers, such as levels,
circular saws and miter saws, are also in demand.
-- Sears sees portable electronics, such as personal DVD players that have
become more affordable, being more in demand than ever this Father's
Day. Digital cameras also continue to be big sellers, along with
accessories such as photo printers, in the perennially popular home
entertainment category.
-- Apparel is another familiar gift item where advanced technology is
creating new choices this year. Sears is introducing a "performance
pant" in its Covington line during the Father's Day shopping season.
The fabric contains Lycra for fit and comfort, Teflon for stain release
and has special qualities that move moisture away from the skin to keep
the wearer cooler in summer heat.
In 2003, grills and grill accessories topped the list of Father's Day gift purchases at Sears, followed by mechanics and portable power tools and tool storage. Large screen/projection televisions were also big sellers during the Father's Day shopping period last year, followed by camcorders, pressure washers and yard trimmers. Rounding out the top ten list were men's sport shirts, bench and stationary power tools and treadmills. (Based on sales at Sears full-line stores and sears.com from June 1-15, 2003.)
Families can find gifts from Sears at a range of prices. From the new high-tech Endurable LED tool light ($19.99), to a Bushnell digital camera/binocular combination at ($99.99), to a Kenmore gas grill ($179.99), Sears has a number of gift choices that are exclusive to the retailer.
Sears will kick-off an extended Father's Day sale on June 6 that includes savings on men's clothing, tools, electronics and other gift categories.
Sears, Roebuck and Co. is a leading broadline retailer providing merchandise and related services. With revenues in 2003 of $41.1 billion, the company offers its wide range of home merchandise, apparel and automotive products and services through more than 2,300 Sears-branded and affiliated stores in the U.S. and Canada, which includes approximately 870 full-line and 1,100 specialty stores in the U.S. Sears also offers a variety of merchandise and services through sears.com, landsend.com, and specialty catalogs. Sears is the only retailer where consumers can find each of the Kenmore, Craftsman, DieHard and Lands' End brands together -- among the most trusted and preferred brands in the U.S. The company is the largest provider of product repair services with more than 14 million services calls made annually.
SOURCE: Sears, Roebuck and Co.
CONTACT: William B. Masterson of Sears, Roebuck and Co.,
+1-847-286-2304
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