Las Vegas – BrandSource
introduced its own app available through the app store of iTunes, during its
national convention at Caesar’s Palace, here, on Tuesday.
The BrandSource
app is free; ccompatible with the iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad and iPad2; and requires
a minimum iPhone OS of 4.1 or later. Wi-Fi, Edge or 3G network connection is sometimes
required. The app is currently available for major appliances, according to Bob
Lawrence, CEO of BrandSource.
It will soon be
available on other mobile operating systems as well, Lawrence said.
The app is
described “as putting a better buying experience in the palm of your [consumers’]
hands. We offer the ability to search appliances and electronics from all the
major manufacturers. Add them to your favorites, find your closest dealer and
even share that information with your friends,” according to a statement on
The app enables
consumers — and salespeople at BrandSource member stores — to research more
than 7,000 appliances and electronics from an Apple device.
Lawrence said the
group now owns 160 words in the apps store of iTunes that apply to major appliances
that “bring up our app.”
The app “will open
up as ‘BrandSource’ ” once a keyword is hit “but the retailers will have the
ability to customize it to their store,” Lawrence said. The app enables consumers
to find the nearest BrandSource available and lets consumers share info on a
new product via email, Twitter and Facebook.
Lawrence said this
app does not even the playing field since “there is no other home appliance app
in the industry today. From a tech standpoint, it puts us one step ahead of
everyone else out there.”
He described the
app as a tool for consumers, but also for member retailers, because “the
salesperson never has to leave the customer’s side. The app can bring up specs,
dimensions, users’ guides, specs, colors of products and availability.”
Lawrence said that
in major appliances, for instance, “There are nine buying guides on washers,
dryers, dishwashers, etc. and [the app] provides info on what type of features
you might need for your home. You can also play 40- or 50-second videos on
different features you might need.”
The reaction of
BrandSource members to the app was “over the top” when it was presented,
Lawrence said due to the “depth and breadth” of the features provided.
On the dealer’s
site they can print out price tags. “It lets you go to the manufacturer’s site
to see if it is available, and if we can order it directly and can be used for
Expert Warehouse 2 as well. It can show competitive prices versus the big box
stores by ZIP code. If the customer says, ‘I need to check a competitor’s price
point,’ you can say, ‘No need to, I have it right here on my app.’ “
is now 100 percent owned by BrandSource; its partner is Ingram
Micro, which signed on a month and a half ago. Lawrence said that with this app
member retailers who have signed up to join Expert Warehouse 2 can “show
products that are in stock and, it is the dealer’s choice whether the product
is shipped direct to the consumer or the store” within 24 hours.
Jim Ristow,
executive VP of CE, said that that this app will “really help legitimize the
independent channel inside the stores, make them look and feel even more
professional than the big boxes.”
Ristow said CE is
“loaded and ready to go,” and should be available soon.
BrandSource also
revealed details on its Expert Warehouse 2 relationship with Ingram Micro which
includes more categories for the group — small housewares, Apple-related and
other tech accessories, PCs, tablets and other computer solutions and
networking solutions for custom installations.
More details on
Expert Warehouse 2 and other BrandSource plan will be at
and in
the Sept. 8 special CEDIA Expo print edition of TWICE.
