Appliances

Whirlpool Corporation reported net sales of about $4.7 billion in the second quarter of 2014, virtually unchanged from the company's performance in the same quarter last year.

Net sales for the three months ended June 30 totaled $4.68 billion, down 1.4% from $4.75 billion in 2013.

The company's bottom line read $179 million for the quarter, down from $198 million in the second quarter of last year.

Electrolux president and CEO Keith McLoughlin reflected on the company's progress during the second fiscal quarter, pointing to prospects for growth.

However, net sales decreased by about 4.9% year-over-year, totaling $26.3 billion for the three-month period. That decrease was slightly smaller for the six-month period — 2%.

Meanwhile, the company posted a net loss of $92 million for the quarter. For the first six months, the company's net income of $339 million compares to net income of $1.003 billion for the same six-month period last year.

The 3-D printer movement got a boost months ago when Home Depot began offering 3-D printers and scanners for sale through its website.

Now the world’s largest home improvement retailer is bringing the products to shelves in select markets. Home Depot is introducing MakerBot 3-D printers and scanners in select stores in Chicago, New York City, Los Angeles and San Francisco.

On the retailer’s website, a fifth-generation MakerBot Replicator Desktop 3-D Printer sells for $2,899. A MakerBot Digitizer Desktop 3D Scanner is priced at $799.

Atlanta – Following Staples’ expansion of its Staples Connect home and office automation platform to 500 stores, The Home Depot is making Wink-enabled connected home products available for purchase in its nearly 2,000 U.S. stores and online.

Nearly 2,000 Home Depot stores in the U.S. began offering a wide range of connected home devices that run on the Wink platform on July 7.

The Wink platform unites close to 60 devices, creating the broadest set of connected home products in one ecosystem, with fifteen leading manufacturers of home products ranging from light bulbs and locks to window shades, irrigation systems and water heaters, according to Wink and Home Depot.

To honor a decorated Indianapolis veteran and dedicated volunteer with Wish for Our Heroes, Indianapolis Colts punter Pat McAfee and tight end Coby Fleener joined forces with Hhgregg.

Together, the group transformed the home of retired US Army veteran Erich Orrick, a Bronze Star and Purple Heart recipient.

Hoffman Estates, Ill. - Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores Inc. will open its newest Colorado Sears Home Appliance Showroom on June 26 in Arvada. The Arvada location marks the fourth opening of a new Sears Home Appliance Showroom Store this year and the 14th opening of a new store across all of Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores formats.

Starting with a washer and dryer, Whirlpool products will be getting smarter with the help of Nest’s learning thermostat. The appliance company plans to integrate some of its products with Nest’s thermostat.

American Standard Brands president and CEO Jay Gould was appointed to the board of directors of American Standard’s parent company, LIXIL Corporation.

Gould joined American Standard Brands in January 2012.

According to the company, Gould executed a plan that quadrupled the company's EBITA, grew sales by 10% and improved gross margins by 700 basis points.

Beginning in July, Samsung intends to make a splash in retail stores with a high-tech appliance display called CenterStage. The new concept showcases Samsung’s portfolio of appliances in what it calls “an ultra-realistic and life-size display with an intuitive touch-screen interface.”