Whirlpool have announced a deal with Chinese retailer Suning to secure distribution in China of their home appliance products, the press release with details of the deal follows.
As part of this strategic alliance, Whirlpool Corporation will have preferential access to Suning’s national distribution network of 1,700 retail outlets throughout China and preferential access to fast growing market segments in China’s smaller, but faster growing cities. Suning will benefit from exclusive access to the Whirlpool® brand within the National Electronic Super Store retail in China and receive preferential access to the Whirlpool® brand product innovations. Both companies will share supply chain resources and efficiencies to optimize costs.
“This strategic alliance signifies our strong commitment to the China market, and our belief that people everywhere should have access to high-quality, consumer-relevant innovative appliances,” said Michael Todman, President, Whirlpool International. “Suning’s distribution network, as well as its excellent reputation as a leading electrical appliance retailer in China, makes it the ideal choice of partnership, which is a key enabler to our China growth strategy to become the leading international appliance brand and grow our domestic sales to $1 billion over the next several years.”
“In recent years, strategic partnerships with manufacturers have played a critical role in enhancing our marketing efforts,” said Zhang Jindong, Chairman of Suning Appliance Co., Ltd. “We are very pleased to form this strategic alliance with Whirlpool Corporation, since it is a natural expansion of our long and positive relationship and it will further expand Suning’s in-store capability, and ability to provide great customer shopping experiences across its sales floors.”