By Sarah Falson
BRISBANE: The Bi-Rite Electrical group continues to convince discontented retailers to switch to its stable of shop-fronts with four Betta acquisitions and one new HomElectrix-branded store taking effect over the next two months.
“The Bi-Rite group continues to add additional retailers to its group. The group’s strategy of providing an environment for successful retailers to find an alternative option to the other banner groups is proving successful and is now in its 18th year,” Bi-Rite franchisor and Narta member, Abdul Sacur, told Current.com.au
Innisfail Betta Electrical in northern Queensland is switching to Bi-Rite after 32 years under the Betta banner, along with Mitchell Betta Electrical and Middle Mount Betta Electrical which are also in Queensland, and Northern City Electrical in Victoria which has been part of the Betta Electrical group for 20 years.
Bi-Rite will also open up a new 1,000-square-metre store under its HomElectrix banner, called Maxwell’s HomElectrix in Epping, Victoria, in six weeks.
Sacur said the influx of retailers joining his team is proof that Bi-Rite provides advantages for franchisees over other retail businesses.
“With the new retailers about to join the group it is further endorsement that we are able to offer substantial advantages to their business,” he said.
Bi-Rite is now focusing on supporting its suppliers and updating its store merchandising.
“The management of Bi-Rite is working to consolidate supplier support establishing a more coordinated store merchandising approach,” he said.
“The focus will be to put discipline into the business to further improve the profit for the franchisees.”
In February Sacur added another five BSR stores to his stable – the stores previously traded as Caloundra Betta Electrical, Maleny Chandlers, Sunshine Coast Washers and Fridges – Mooloolalba, Valley Betta Electrical and Murwillumbah Betta Electrical.
The businesses defecting to Bi-Rite traded over Christmas with the Betta Stores Retail (BSR) group, which now owns the Betta Electrical and Chandlers brands after the former owner Betta Stores Limited was placed into administration, receivership and eventually liquidation.
“The common factor here is that I am providing the service that these retailers want. I am providing them with additional suppliers that they are not joining at the moment,” Sacur told Current.com.au in February.
Sacur is offering retailers looking to leave the Retravision and BSR groups with a central buying office that takes advantage of Narta group purchasing, no ongoing fees and therefore additional profits.
Sacur announced late last year that he planned to become a $1 billion business, with 150 shop-fronts.
“It is definitely possible to reach 150 stores – absolutely,” he told Current.com.au
“I would like to send a message to every disillusioned retailer that they are free to talk to me and enquire as to how my system works. I am very happy to give them that information and they can call me on 0419 786 092 at any time,” he said.