By Martin Vedris
BRISBANE: Franchisor BSR Australia Limited (parent company of the BSR group) today announced that the group’s first national conference for members and suppliers will take place in New Zealand next month.
In a statement released by BSR group today it was revealed that this inaugural group conference would elect the first BSR group board. The statement also said the conference would take place against a backdrop of rising sales and increasing store numbers.
BSR general manager, Ian Brown, said sales in May were up 15 per cent on a like-for-like basis compared to a year ago. He attributed the month’s performance to a stable and focused membership, the group’s strong promotional focus during Mother’s Day anchored by the BSR/ Sunbeam exclusive ‘Dreamy Style’ promotion and the launch of the new Betta Electrical ‘Here for You’ campaign.
“The trend of rising sales has continued in June which is especially pleasing as we prepare for the inaugural BSR group conference,” Brown said. “There is a real sense of excitement throughout the group as we move towards this milestone in our young company’s history.
“BSR group retailers and management are focused on the same goal of creating a stable and profitable consumer electronics group and our results so far reflect the early success we are enjoying,” he said.
“The event has been strongly supported by our retailers and group suppliers will be well pleased with the level of attendees, with a four to one, retailer to supplier ratio.”
BSR Australia was formed last year to meet the buying and marketing needs of Betta Electrical and Chandlers retailers when it acquired the brands from franchisor Betta Stores Limited, which was placed into receivership.
In November last year, BSR Australia, a consortium of Betta franchisees from the previous BSL group, successfully outbid both the Leading Edge group and Retravision WA for the Betta Electrical core franchise business.
The expansion of the BSR group will continue in July, Brown said, with the addition of at least two new stores following the nine stores that joined in the preceding five months.
“With the strength of both the May and June sales results, new stores opening over the past six months and with more to follow, there are many reasons to be part of the BSR group. We believe in our continued growth and our future. Any business people in the industry who may feel they wish to explore further options to their current circumstances, are encouraged to contact me directly for a confidential discussion,” Brown said.