By James Wells

PERTH: Retravision WA CEO Paul Holt has said he will target 400 independent electrical retailers mainly in the eastern states with his Best Buy Electrical sub-brand concept which was introduced earlier this month.

The Best Buy Electrical sub-brand was launched after 12 former Betta Electrical stores decided not to join the new Betta Stores Retail (BSR) group.

According to an article published in yesterday’s West Australian newspaper, Holt said he decided to establish a new brand after failing to purchase the rights to the Betta Electrical and Chandlers brands in Western Australia, South Australia and the Northern Territory from PricewaterhouseCoopers which was rumoured to be between $300,000 and $500,000 or 10-15 per cent of the overall franchise business.

In the article, Holt said the Best Buy sub-brand provided “an alternative for retailers who wanted to join the franchise network but were already near an existing Retravision outlet”.

“We have created a platform that other independents can join in any state,” the article said.

“I would estimate there are probably about 400 Australia-wide. In WA, South Australia and the Northern Territory there are about 50,” Holt said in the article.

Earlier this month in an interview with Current.com.au, Holt hinted that the brand might be adopted by retail businesses outside of Western Australia.

"The new brand provides an excellent platform for any existing independent electrical retailer, particularly those operating in rural areas in any state in Australia, who may be reviewing supply chain options and wish to join forces with a strong and vibrant business partner with the ability to bring the strength and benefits of a national buying platform,” he said.

The Best Buy Electrical brand will operate in a very similar way to the existing sub-brands which already trade under the company’s buying and management structure – Fridge & Washer City and West Coast Hi Fi.

Over 20 Betta Electrical franchisees in Western Australia attended a meeting in November and voted overwhelmingly in favour of a proposal to join the Retravision WA group, but not every business that wished to defect was accepted into the group.