Sears Inks Deal With Amazon To Install Tires Bought Online

Sears Auto Centers announced Wednesday (May 9) a new deal with Amazon.com to provide full-service tire installation and balancing for customers who purchase any brand of tires on Amazon.com. The service will be launching across the U.S. during the next few weeks.

In a press release, Sears Auto said it will be the first auto service center around the country to offer Amazon customers a Ship-to-Store option at checkout on Amazon. Amazon customers choose their tires and Sears Auto location and the date and time of the installation. An employee at Sears Auto Centers will confirm the appointment. What’s more, Sears said it marks the first time DieHard all-season passenger tires will be sold on Amazon. Amazon customers can purchase any tire brand and get the installation.

The Ship-to-Store feature will be available in 47 Sears Auto Centers in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. Sears Auto Centers plans on quickly expanding the service to more Amazon customers. “Amazon.com customers can expect terrific performance and reliability from DieHard tires and professional installation from Sears Auto Centers,” said Tom Park, president of Kenmore, Craftsman and DieHard brands, in the press release. “We’re thrilled to expand our assortment of this iconic brand to include passenger tires on Amazon.com.” In July of last year, Sears started selling Kenmore appliances on Amazon — and in December, DieHard products were added to the lineup.

The new deal with Amazon lifted shares of Sears Auto Centers, but Chief Executive Edward Lampert, who has been trying to make Sears profitable again, warned the company hasn’t turned the corner yet.  “Let me be the first one to acknowledge we are on the right path, but we haven’t gotten over the hump. We need to convert our vision into reality,” Lampert said at the annual shareholders’ meeting, according to Reuters. “We needed liquidity; I’ve provided it, but we can’t operate if we don’t have the necessary liquidity.”