GE Selects Omaha, Neb., Salt Lake City and Parker, Colo., to Test Popularity of Brightly-Colored Refrigerators
January 8, 2015
- Consumers can pick a sweet or spicy hue to add flavor to their kitchens with GE’s
Artistry™ brand - Three appliance retailers to offer GE’s Cupcake Blue and Red Pepper—Omaha’s Nebraska Furniture Mart, Salt Lake City’s RC Willey and Parker’s Appliance Factory
- Consumer response in these markets will determine color options on a national level
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Jan. 8, 2015— GE (NYSE:GE) is experimenting with color—and at an affordable price point, which is nearly unheard of in the appliance industry.
The company is producing refrigerators that involve a pop of color—Cupcake Blue and Red Pepper. The colors, determined by an online consumer poll, will be available on the Artistry™ refrigerator and available in limited quantities at three retailers in the U.S.
“Consumers who want a pop of color or something that just stands out will be drawn to these new colors,” says Lou Lenzi, director of GE’s industrial design operation. “The new color choices from GE give consumers more opportunity to personalize their kitchen in a way that’s been traditionally reserved for high-end appliances.”
Response to the light blue and bold red in these markets will determine whether GE will go into full-scale production to offer the new colors on a national scale. The colorful refrigerators will be available in early January 2015 at Nebraska Furniture Mart, RC Willey and Appliance Factory in limited quantities.
“We’ve partnered with three great retail partners who like to experiment,” says Lenzi. “These retailers are having success with the Artistry line, so their showrooms are perfect locations to see if this trend toward more colorful appliances is ready for mainstream.”
Color options illustrate GE’s strategy to let consumer choice rule
The vibrant shades on the Artistry line exhibit the new way GE is bringing new products to market. In situations similar to this launch of new color options, a new idea is researched, and then quickly implemented on a small scale. Depending on consumer adoption, the idea can be scratched or expanded. The process allows GE to bring new products to market more quickly and more confidently with consumer validation.
The vibrant shades on the Artistry line exhibit the new way GE is bringing new products to market. In situations similar to this launch of new color options, a new idea is researched, and then quickly implemented on a small scale. Depending on consumer adoption, the idea can be scratched or expanded. The process allows GE to bring new products to market more quickly and more confidently with consumer validation.
The MSRP for either color refrigerator is $1,500.*
About GE Appliances
GE Appliances is at the forefront of building innovative, energy-efficient appliances that improve people’s lives. GE Appliances’ products include refrigerators, freezers, cooking products, dishwashers, washers, dryers, air conditioners, water filtration systems and water heaters. General Electric (NYSE: GE) works on things that matter to build a world that works better. For more information on GE Appliances, visitwww.ge.com/appliances.
GE Appliances is at the forefront of building innovative, energy-efficient appliances that improve people’s lives. GE Appliances’ products include refrigerators, freezers, cooking products, dishwashers, washers, dryers, air conditioners, water filtration systems and water heaters. General Electric (NYSE: GE) works on things that matter to build a world that works better. For more information on GE Appliances, visitwww.ge.com/appliances.
*Retailers determine price.
