By Martin Vedris

DUNSBOROUGH, WA: National franchise group BSR Australia Limited aims to take a share of the market in southern Western Australia with the opening of a new Betta Electrical at Dunsborough, 253 km south of Perth in the Margaret River wine region.

The 320 sqm store, owned and operated by Mark and Leanne Bennett, is located on the corner of Faure Street and Dunsborough Street and will celebrate its grand opening next week.

Betta Electrical Dunsborough will increase BSR Group’s presence in Western Australia to 16 stores.

BSR Group General Manager Ian Brown said the opening of Bennett’s Betta Electrical Dunsborough was a key step in BSR’s strategy of expanding into fast-growing regional centres.

“We’re excited to be bringing the Betta Electrical brand to Dunsborough,” Brown said. “The Bennett’s have lived in the region of Western Australia almost all their lives so they know and understand the needs of the community.

“It’s great to have them onboard and I wish them all the best, “he said.

Store owner Mark Bennett said the strength of the Betta Electrical brand and feedback from existing retailers were key factors in the decision to choose the BSR Group franchise.

“We went through all our alternatives thoroughly and just couldn’t go past the organisational structure and brand recognition enjoyed by retailers operating under the Betta Electrical banner,” Bennett said. “The Betta Electrical members we spoke to were unanimous — the support they enjoyed was outstanding.

“I would not be surprised in the slightest to see many more retailers joining the group in the near future,” he said.

Bennett said that after 20 years in the retail industry, including seven years with a major, national electrical goods chain, it was time to run his own business.

“I’ve completed what you might call a lengthy apprenticeship but I feel that it has put me in good stead for the future,” he said. “It has given me an appreciation of how important it is for a retailer to be involved in the local community and provide great customer service.

“The major chains tend to lose focus on those areas but we know from personal experience that people like to feel that they’re being looked after,” Bennett said.

Bennett and his wife will initially operate the Dunsborough Betta Electrical personally and in time hope to expand the team to at least four people by employing two sales assistants.