Chinese electronics retailer Suning has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with the American appliances maker Whirlpool to sell Whirlpool's water heaters in Suning's electronics chain stores around China.

Suning says that the first batch of Whirlpool water heaters will be sold in Suning's 155 stores in 26 Chinese cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Tianjin, and Nanjing. In the future, these products will be deployed in all Suning retail stores in its nationwide Chinese retail network.

Wang Zhe, executive vice president for Suning's appliances marketing headquarters, says that Suning has made a plan to sell 150,000 Whirlpool water heaters in 2009. At the same time, during the initial launch of the Whirlpool water heaters, consumers can buy the products at discounted prices.

Wang adds that as the only strategic partner of Whirlpool in China, Suning has the exclusive sales right and the exclusive acting right for Whirlpool in China. In addition, it will be the first retailer to sell all of Whirlpool's new products in the country and will be responsible for the marketing and after-sales services of Whirlpool's water heaters.