Sears Expands Amazon Tire Installation Program To Entire US

Amazon has methodically placed a footprint into different retail operations in recent years. One of its newest partnerships was expanded to the whole country Tuesday, when Sears announced customers who buy tires on Amazon can have them shipped directly to Sears stores before being installed around the nation.

Sears and Amazon first partnered up for online tire ordering and in-store installation back in May, but at the time it was only available to customers in eight cities. Per Tuesday’s announcement, the offer is now available throughout the country.

The move inspired newfound investor confidence in the brick-and-mortar retailer. Shares of Sears (SHLD) rose 13 percent Tuesday.

"Providing excellent auto service, such as fast installation and free Performance Snapshot evaluations, is at the core of our business and partnerships,” VP and general manager of Sears Automotive Mike McCarthy said. “By working with Amazon, we're proud to further meet and surpass that commitment, thanks to the ease and convenience of their program."

Amazon’s partnership with Sears is just another example of how Jeff Bezos’ e-commerce giant keeps infiltrating offline business spaces. The company has also spent much of 2018 offering Amazon Prime members benefits at Whole Foods stores, while slowly expanding the services offered by the organic grocery chain.

An August report even indicated Amazon would consider opening health clinics. They would just be for Amazon employees at first, but the report did not rule out the possibility of eventually expanding to the entire public.

Finally, Amazon was recently said to be interested in buying Landmark Theatres. The indie-focused movie theater chain trails AMC and Cinemark in market share, but rumors of a possible purchase were enough to send those potential competitors’ stock prices downward.

Sears has had its struggles in recent years, having closed dozens of its automotive maintenance locations.