Rebates on GE's Appliances Help Style-Savvy Consumers Create Kitchens of Their Dreams, Even in a Weakened Economy
LOUISVILLE, Ky.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Our recent economic recession has left millions without jobs and has resulted in a heightened sense of frugality across the nation, creating a new breed of budget-conscious consumers.1 While the purchasing mentality of the late 1990s and early 2000s was "bigger is better," today's consumer is downsizing --- particularly their homes, a trend consistent with periods of economic decline throughout the 20th and 21st centuries.2 While the floor plans of many new homes are shrinking in size, the size of the kitchen continues to expand, dominating a much larger percentage of the home's overall square footage.3 "In addition to growing in size, the kitchen is also growing in importance," said Robert Rogers, general manager, merchandising, GE Appliances & Lighting. "Surveys have shown that more than half of Americans are eating at home more now as a result of the economic recession.4 And the kitchen is becoming the new living room and the hub of family activity --- from entertaining to homework." As kitchens expand, and as consumers look to turn kitchens into the new living space, GE is offering a variety of rebates in 2010 to make it possible for more families to create the kitchen of their dreams. Rebates are available for GE Monogram®, GE Profile™ and GE® appliances, as well as select refrigerator water filters. Give your Kitchen Some Shine. While many of today's more budget-conscious consumers are limiting their kitchen splurges to one key must-have item,5 like a new professional range or Ann Sacks tile, this may not be necessary with promotions on select GE and GE Profile appliances, enabling consumers to upgrade to stainless steel for the same prices as traditional finishes. This rebate program runs through July 7, 2010, and more information is available at the following link: www.geappliances.com/rebates_promotions/free-stainless-steel-upgrade/. "Stainless steel is still the appliance finish of choice, especially for high-end appliances," Rogers said. "Just as an example, for refrigerators and ranges, stainless steel represents 52 percent and 60 percent of unit shipments, respectively." 6 According to a January, 2010 Twiigs.com survey of more than 1,600 consumers, 46 percent of respondents said that stainless steel appliances are a "classic look for the kitchen that will never look dated," and another 37 percent say stainless is "still going to be a popular choice for at least another decade." 7 Now this is Return on Investment. Unlike the stock market, with this summer's Profile rebate, there's no guessing about your returns. Now through Oct. 3, customers who buy two or more eligible Profile appliances will be eligible for a $1,000 rebate.8 More Attainable Luxury: Luxury certainly has its rewards with GE Monogram's current rebate program, providing consumers with $1,000 in instant rebates for the purchase of a Monogram professional range and hood or a Monogram wall oven, cooktop and hood. An additional $1,000 instant rebate is available when consumers add a Monogram built-in refrigerator. The promotion is running through Sept. 30, 2010, and more details are available from participating Monogram dealers. You can also download a complete model list. About GE - Appliances & Lighting GE - Appliances & Lighting spans the globe as an industry leader in major appliances, lighting, systems and services for commercial, industrial and residential use. Technology innovation and the company's ecomagination(SM) initiative enable GE - Appliances & Lighting to aggressively bring to market products and solutions that help customers meet pressing environmental challenges. General Electric (NYSE: GE), imagination at work, sells products under the Monogram®, Profile™, GE®, Hotpoint®, Reveal® and Energy Smart® consumer brands, and Tetra®, Vio™ and Immersion® commercial brands. For more information, consumers may visit www.ge.com. 1. Associated Press. Christopher S. Rugaber. "Millions of jobs that were cut won't likely return." http://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory?id=10637324. 2. Investopedia. A Forbes Digital Company. James E. McWhinney. "How does the economy affect house size?" http://www.investopedia.com/articles/mortgages-real-estate/09/castles-grow-and-shrink.asp. 3. Kerch, Steve. "The 10 Must-Have Features in Today's New Homes." http://finance.yahoo.com/family-home/article/108701/the-10-must-have-features-in-todays-new-homes.html?mod=family-love_money. 1 February 2010 4. Harris Interactive. Food Shopping Trends Tracker. Whole Foods Market. http://wholefoodsmarket.com/pressroom/blog/2009/09/03/new-survey-shows-shoppers-eating-more-meals-at-home-cooking-meals-to-save-money/. September 2009. 5. Kitchen & Bath Ideas. "Top 10 Kitchen Trends." http://www.kitchenbathideas.com/plan/kitchen/design/trends/?page=6 6. Stevenson Company. Traqline data. 2009. 7. Hooked on Houses. http://hookedonhouses.net/2010/01/26/stainless-steel-appliances-out-or-in-for-2010/. Twiigs.com consumer research. 26 January 2010. 8. See stores and GEAppliances.com for details and eligibility. Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6347950&lang=en
Allison Gatta