Anaheim, Calif. — BrandSource, the $14 billion buying group for CE, majap and home-furnishings dealers, is projecting “a banner year” in 2014 thanks to its strategic member programs and the recovering economy.
“Despite a very rough patch in the economy these past few years, things are looking up economically,” said CEO Bob Lawrence “We expect that 2014 will be a banner year for the BrandSource organization.”
Adding to the group’s momentum is the addition of more than $430 million dollars in sales from new members since June. Lawrence said BrandSource is attracting more new members than ever, and is retaining current ones, with a wide range of leasing, finance, private-label credit card, digital marketing and distribution programs.
“We’ve been steadfast in continuing to create and implement the most strategic, bang-for-your-buck member programs out there in order to help our members succeed, and we’re happy to report that it’s working,” he noted.
Executive VP Tom Bennett, the group’s recruitment officer, concurred. “The economy is getting better and BrandSource members are getting stronger,” he said. “The programs that BrandSource put into play during the hard times are now reaping rewards for the entire organization. We couldn’t be more thrilled by our membership, sales and prospects for next year.”
Those programs include a BrandSource app that allows members to capture mobile shoppers and manage social media engagement; a POS [point-of-sale] system that allows members to track inventory and check out customers with an iPad; a warehouse distribution program offering easy ordering and just-in-time deliveries; and an in-house wholesale financing solution.
The 100 percent member-owned group was founded in 1969 and now boasts some 4,500 dealer members in the U.S. and Canada, and nearly 3,000 BrandSource-branded stores in the U.S.
The group will next convene for its spring Summit & Expo March 16-19 at the Marriott World Center in Orlando, Fla., and will hold its second annual Butch DuBose Charity Golf Tournament on March 16 on-site at the Hawk’s Landing Golf Club. For more information, visit BrandSourceConvention.com.
