As a corollary, Harvey also called for stronger appliance efficiency, a trend that has already proved popular with consumers.
Sears, Roebuck & Company reported today that earnings for the second quarter nearly tripled on stronger appliance and electronics sales, a decline in credit-card delinquencies and the effect of a one-time litigation settlement that hurt results a year earlier.
Sears has also been losing ground in what traditionally has been its strongest area: appliances.
U.S. jobless claims fell last week and retail sales inched up in May, as strong furniture and appliance sales were offset by lower gasoline receipts, government data said Thursday.
Orders to U.S. factories for big-ticket manufactured goods shot up 1.9% in April, the government reported Wednesday, reflecting strong demand for autos, appliances and aircraft.
People have strong feelings about toilet appliances".
Electrolux, whose brands include Electrolux, Frigidaire and Weed Eater, also blamed strong price competition with other appliance manufacturers.
"Sales of our high-end appliances are surprisingly strong," Mr. Royal noted.
Sales of jewelry, children's clothing and small appliances were all strong, said the spokesman, Tim Lyons, although catalog sales are expected to fall by 20percentt from last year.
It "reflects Samsung's strong commitment to offering home appliances that not only meet consumers' needs, but anticipate them in ways they never thought possible," according to Kevin Dexter, senior vice-president of home appliances sales and marketing.
