MEGA Launching Enhanced e-Tail Platform

TWICE Staff -- TWICE, 2/28/2011

San Antonio - MEGA Group USA will launch an enhanced e-commerce program for member dealers at its bi-annual convention here next week.

MEGA Group's new premium web platform will provide enhanced e-commerce capabilities.

The new platform, WebFronts Premium, is a step up from the buying group's basic program, first introduced in 2007. The new two-tier platform is highly customized and features virtually unlimited product catalog capabilities, advanced merchandising, price tools, unlimited shopping cart, advanced search engine optimization techniques, automated rebate center and product-comparison capabilities, MEGA said. 

"We are excited to officially introduce this new website program to our members in San Antonio," said IT director Scott McFarland. WebFronts Premium will be available to member dealers in all MEGA product categories, including furniture, bedding, appliances, electronics, and lawn and garden, he said, and live trials with several dealers has already yielded increased traffic to their sites and stores.

"One of the reasons we are different from other buying groups is our passion to stay abreast of leading-edge technologies and constantly bring our members the latest in web-based and social media programs," noted MEGA president Rick Bellows. "WebFronts Premium gives our members a powerful presence online that competes with any large retailer in the market. Members simply won't be able to get this type of technology and web presence this cost efficiently on their own."

The program will be formally unveiled at the group's national convention, which runs March 10-13 at the Grand Hyatt on San Antonio's Riverwalk. Other highlights will include a golf tournament and welcome reception; seminars and workshops on social media, financial planning, state of the industry updates, disaster recovery, product protection and insurance services, and advertising and marketing training and planning; special show buys; and  motivational keynote speaker Scott Deming, who has helped small business to multinational corporations develop smart and effective sales training, marketing and planning techniques that positively impact the bottom line. 

MEGA said it is expecting a large turnout for the show, with more than 800 members and more than 85 vendors already registered.

The group's fall show will be held in Nashville, Tenn., Aug. 25-28. 

MEGA Group is comprised of about 1,500 furniture, electronics, appliance and mattress dealers in some 2,500 storefronts throughout the U.S. The group provides such business services as group vendor programs, custom advertising and marketing services, consulting, store merchandising, and information technology support aimed at driving floor traffic, improving sales and profits, and enhancing operating efficiencies. For more information, visit www.megagroupusa.com.