By James Wells
BRISBANE: Abdul Sacur’s Bi-Rite Electrical has acquired three more Betta Electrical stores in Victoria and Queensland over the last seven days including Sale Betta Electrical which was announced last week.
In addition to Sale, two Queensland-based stores – Dalby Betta Electrical and Goodiwindi Betta Electrical have left the Betta Stores Retail (BSR) franchise and joined Bi-Rite Electrical effective from Thursday 8 March.
Last month Bi-Rite franchisor, Abdul Sacur, confirmed the defection of five stores from the BSR group located on the Sunshine Coast, Brisbane CBD and Northern New South Wales and predicted another 10 in the near future.
In February, Caloundra Betta Electrical, Maleny Chandlers, Sunshine Coast Washers and Fridges – Mooloolalba, Valley Betta Electrical and Murwillumbah Betta Electrical all joined the Bi-Rite Electrical group.
Last week, Nick Morelli – the proprietor of the former Morelli Homemakers & Betta Electrical store, which is now trading as Morelli HomElectrix said he prefers trading under the banner of HomElectrix which is a member of Narta.
“In this very competitive and volatile market, I felt it prudent to explore other,” Morelli told Current.com.au.
“HomElectrix and Narta together give us better buying power and access to more major brands. Also, being a part of the HomElectrix group is more affordable. At the end of the day, we changed our name because of buying power, amongst other reasons. And I’m sure you’ll get a few more [BSR stores] who do the same.”
BSR shot back a statement in retaliation to Morelli’s comments which claimed that it would not be drawn into the mud-slinging and rumour-mongering.
“BSR is owned by shareholders who are also retailers of the group. All BSR board members are also retailers," BSR chairman, Everard Johnson said in the statement.
"Retailers know what they need in the way of support from their group and this is how BSR has been structured. Not only are our fees some of the most competitive in the industry, they include a structured, monthly advertising program to support our retailers. Our program is not at an extra charge to our stores despite what some of our competitors are trying to perpetuate,” he said.
“Whilst it is unfortunate we could not reach a level of support one of our retailers expected of the group, we appreciate his recent written communication to our office wishing BSR retailers all the best in the future and extend the same to his team.
"As with all retail groups in any industry, our owners will occasionally wish to review their future and will sometimes ‘switch’ brands. This is entirely their decision. However, staff and management in the BSR offices are freely available to all of our retailers at any time, to discuss day-to-day business issues or queries,” Johnson said.