Sears Auto Center Uses Artificial Intelligence To Put Personal Touch On Tire Shopping
HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill., Jan. 18, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Sears Auto Center introduced the pilot launch of the "Digital Tire Journey", a web app that relies on IBM Watson Natural Language Classifier service to help Sears Automotive customers identify the appropriate tires to fit their driving preferences within the following categories: Comfort Warrior, Value Seeker, Off-Roader, High Performer, Safety Seeker and Winter Warrior.
Choosing the right tire can be tough for drivers when there are thousands of different tire brands, makes and models. Typical ecommerce websites selling tires often limit users to a drop-down menu of pre-selected tire terms without considering the driving and lifestyle preferences of shoppers. To find the best tire, consumers need to consider not only their vehicle's make, model and tire size, but also how it supports their everyday routines and hobbies.
The Sears Auto Digital Tire Journey is being created to provide tire recommendations based on the driver style through a customer's response to the question, "When it comes to tires, what's most important to you?" A soccer dad may answer, "I am concerned about driving my kids safely" so tires that have higher safety ratings are presented. After the user types in an answer, the Digital Tire Journey shows what type of driving style they have with the help of the Watson Natural Language Classifier service. The tool then recommends tires with consumer ratings to assist drivers in making an informed purchasing decision.
"Our vision is to put our members' lives in drive. We do that by investing in people, products and technology to keep them moving safely on the road of life," said Brian Kaner, president of Sears Auto Centers. "The Digital Tire Journey is an innovative service that helps customers cut through the clutter while integrating digital, mobile and online with in-store shopping."
Getting tire results is easy – simply enter a license plate or make/model of the vehicle to view tires from top brands that are right for the driver, along with objective ratings from previous customers. Users have several purchase options: buy the tires online, schedule an appointment for installation at the nearest Sears Auto Center or reach a call center agent to ask additional questions and purchase the tires by phone.
For more information, visit www.searsauto.com or Digital Tire Experience.
About Sears Auto Center
Sears Auto Center is a leading provider of automotive maintenance and repair services and parts, with more than 600 locations nationwide offering a full array of passenger and light truck tires, including RoadHandler™, Michelin and Goodyear; DieHard® batteries, Craftsman® auto accessories and more. Sears has a long history as America's trusted place for car care, having offered auto parts since 1905 and service since 1931. Sears Auto Center offers customers convenient locations and hours – open seven days a week, as well as an extensive menu of services. Sears Auto Center is a division of Sears, Roebuck and Co. For more information on Sears Auto Center please visit www.SearsAuto.com. Facebook: www.Facebook.com/SearsAuto | Twitter @SearsAuto.
About Sears, Roebuck and Co.
Sears, Roebuck and Co., a wholly owned subsidiary of Sears Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ: SHLD), is a leading integrated retailer providing merchandise and related services and is part of Shop Your Way, a social shopping experience where members have the ability to earn points and receive benefits across a wide variety of physical and digital formats through shopyourway.com. Sears, Roebuck offers its wide range of home merchandise, apparel and automotive products and services through Sears-branded and affiliated full-line and specialty retail stores. Sears, Roebuck also offers a variety of merchandise and services through sears.com and specialty catalogs. Sears, Roebuck offers consumers leading proprietary brands including Kenmore, Craftsman, and DieHard -- among the most trusted and preferred brands in the U.S. The company is the nation's largest provider of home services, with nearly 12 million service and installation calls made annually. For more information, visit the Sears, Roebuck website at www.sears.com or the Sears Holdings Corporation website at www.searsholdings.com.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Larry Costello
Sears Holdings
847-286-9036
[email protected]
SOURCE Sears Auto Center
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