BENTON HARBOR, Mich.,
Jan. 26, 2015 /PRNewswire/
-- Consumers got a look at the newest innovations in home
appliance technology as three of the top industry shows wrapped in
Las Vegas. The Consumer
Electronics Show, Kitchen and Bath Industry Show and the
International Builders' Show each featured thousands of new home
appliances and now it's time for companies to figure out which of
those products consumers will really want. Whirlpool Corporation
(NYSE: WHR) recently conducted a survey to determine what
technology is important to their United
States consumers. The company found that consumers are
looking for technology that's purposeful – not impractical.
In midst of information overload, consumers are primarily
looking for technologies that cut through the noise. Generally,
respondents were much less interested in certain novelty
technologies, such as refrigerators that make phone calls or
equipped with television screens. Rather, they're interested
in impact - technology that solves problems and saves time.
In a recent surveyi conducted by Braun Research on
behalf of Whirlpool Corporation - 83% of those surveyed said they
are always looking for ways to spend more quality time with family
and half of homeowners (48%) said doing daily chores cuts into that
time.
"We're at an exciting intersection in home appliance design,"
said Brett Dibkey, Vice President of
Integrated Business Units at Whirlpool Corporation. "Consumers want
technology that is both seamless and substantive and that means
applying smart, thoughtful design to our home appliances from the
inside out. Advanced sensor technology and connectivity allows
consumers to perform daily tasks like laundry and washing dishes
more efficiently. Smart product design allows them to do so at the
touch of a button. It's really about creating appliances that will
allow consumers to get back to doing what matters most -- spending
time with family and friends."
According to the survey 79% of participants said technology can
diminish personal relationships. That effect is not lost on the
so-called "selfie" generation - 87% of millennials, younger
Americans ages 18-34 and the tech savvy generation with a wealth of
projected buying power, agree that technology can diminish
relationships.
Survey findings include:
- On average, consumers can spend up to 11 hours combined each
week on preparing meals, washing clothes and doing dishes.
- Nearly all homeowners are interested in energy efficiency (95%)
and easy to clean (93%) features in their home appliances.
- Among the top appliance features that consumers think
would make their lives easier easy cleaning was a common theme –
39% of respondents are looking for cooktops that don't stain, 38%
want clothes washers that dispense detergent based on the dirtiness
of clothing and 33% are looking for ranges that are easy to
clean.
- Looking toward the future, around half of homeowners surveyed
want the ability to pull up recipes from a countertop (50%), dry
cleaning technology in the home (47%) and appliances that fold
clothes (46%).
From the first electric wringer clothes washer in 1911 to the
launch of today's connected appliances, Whirlpool Corporation has
created more than a century of innovative solutions that matter to
our consumers. Our purposeful technology is available right now,
with precision dispense features on select Whirlpool and Maytag
brand washers, easy to clean ceramic glass on select cooktops and
time saving solutions like the new Swash™ 10 minute clothing care
system from Proctor & Gamble and Whirlpool brand.
Innovation is part of everything we do. It's embedded throughout
our company – and it starts with consumer understanding. Whirlpool
Corporation's portfolio of brands offer purposeful technology and
innovation and the possibilities for the future are endless.
About Whirlpool
Corporation
Whirlpool Corporation is the world's leading global manufacturer
and marketer of major home appliances, with annual sales of
approximately $19 billion in 2013,
69,000 employees, and 59 manufacturing and technology research
centers around the world. The company markets Whirlpool, Maytag,
KitchenAid, Jenn-Air, Amana, Brastemp, Consul, Bauknecht and
other major brand names. We earn the trust of consumers in nearly
every country by focusing on what matters most. Additional
information about the company can be found at
http://www.whirlpoolcorp.com.
i Survey findings are from a telephone survey of
1,003 American homeowners conducted by Braun Research on behalf of
Whirlpool Corporation. The survey was conducted from November 6-10, 2014 and has a margin of error of
+/-3.1%.
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SOURCE Whirlpool Corporation