By James Wells
SYDNEY: New Zealand’s largest independent electrical buying group, Appliance Connexion, today announced its decision to join the newly-formed Narta New Zealand buying group.
Prior to joining Narta New Zealand, Appliance Connexion enjoyed a working relationship with the Narta buying group in Australia for the past eight years.
Appliance Connexion chairman, Peter Drummond, said the decision to join Narta New Zealand was a natural progression and extension of both group’s current operations.
“As Narta moved to New Zealand, the potential of representing as much as 27 per cent of New Zealand’s total retail market was reason enough to join,” Drummond said.
“Over the past eight years, we have worked closely with Narta to develop similar buying strategies suited to our independent retailer members on either side of the Tasman. Our members will enjoy additional profit opportunities and suppliers will benefit from the largest single order book,” Drummond said.
Appliance Connexion is the largest member of Narta New Zealand, with 72 members in New Zealand and 100 store fronts. It will contribute around 50 per cent of the group. Members of Appliance Connexion include the 100 per cent branded retailers as well as members such as L. V. Martin, Magness Benrow Appliances and The Appliance Shed.
National Associated Retail Traders of Australia (NARTA) was established in 1965 and coordinates $2.8 billion of electrical buying for retailers including JB Hi-Fi, Clive Peeters, Bing Lee, David Jones, Downtown Duty Free, Bi-Rite Electrical, Radio Rentals, Videopro and Winning Appliances.