Sears sells a "previous-generation" ZTR made by Simplicity... they don't sell the current generation of machines. Additionally, like all things Sears has built to spec, there are some cheaper components put on it specifically for Sears...
Simplicity bought Snapper to get:
1. Their manufacturing capacity
2. Their dealer network
Simplicity is using that manufacturing capacity to make their smaller snowblowers (and their tillers also, I think). Simplicity is selling a couple of their L&G tractors with Snapper labels on them...
Both are now doing well financially. Simplicity has bet it all on the dealer network...
Before you criticize that approach, Stihl is doing the same thing and succeeding also....