By James Wells

BRISBANE: Betta Stores Retail (BSR) will follow a similar strategy to Retravision Western by targeting growth from large stores after five “smaller” stores left to join Narta’s Bi-Rite Electrical over the last month.

Bi-Rite Electrical franchisor, Abdul Sacur, has confirmed that stores located at Tweed Heads in New South Wales, Middlemount, Blackall and Mitchell in Queensland and Donald in Victoria have joined his group over the last month.

BSR franchise consultant, Patrick Tynan, told Current.com.au that it was important to clarify that the stores which left the group were not all trading as Betta Electrical stores.

“Donald was an unidentified store trading as Hardingham Plumbing & Electrical and Middlemount was an unidentified store trading as Middlemount Electrical and Video,” Tynan said.

“With all of the large format stores we have opened recently, these far outweigh all of the smaller stores that have left in recent times. We are trading well above the budget that was created when the company was formed,” Tynan said.

“The addition of larger members allows our group to be more efficient for all members that are left. We still want to look after the smaller retailers that remain with BSR, but if they feel they have to move to another home, they go with our blessing.”

According to BSR chairman, Everard Johnson, BSR is owned by shareholders who are also retailers of the group and also make up the BSR board.

“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,” Johnson said.

 “It is unfortunate we could not reach a level of support some of our retailers expected of the group, and we wish them all the best in the future," he said.

“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.”