By Kymberly Martin
Easter Monday is decision day for 70 plus former Retravision members wanting to join Leading Appliances, but there is growing interest from other retailer keen to sign up with the newly formed group.
Leading Edge Group general manager Michael Carr told RetailBiz he has received calls from at least a dozen “true independents” and a number of stores that are part of other groups looking for alternative group support.
“Members stores have a choice to either join us, join another group or close.” Carr said he expected the majority of the 70 stores would join Leading Appliances. “Most are located in regional areas sprinkled with a handful of metropolitan stores in Brisbane and Perth.”
The privately owned group has 1300 independents across electronics, digital, auto, jewellery, books, music, video and pets. Among these are 120 electronics and 70 digital stores.
Carr said the first promotion campaign will roll out in April supported by a full-colour catalogue complete with an individual base-plate for each store.
This first foray into CE appliances for the group will sell kitchen appliances, small appliances, laundry products and AV.