By Patrick Avenell

While around 70 former Retravision stores prepare to start their new life as Leading Appliance outlets on 1 April 2013, one of their former compatriots has unveiled its new Betta Home Living livery.

William and Leonie Kennedy, owners of a Retravision store that has operated for over 80 years in Cairns, in far north Queensland, were one of the proprietors deemed large enough to join Betta Stores Retail following the sale of the Retravision brand to Narta late last year. Betta Stores Retail is a member of the Narta Group.

Click here to sign up for our FREE daily newsletter

Follow Current.com.au on Twitter

Speaking about this transition was Janelle Given, store manager and daughter of the Kennedys.

“We were expecting the whole process to be quite challenging because of all the logistics involved,” Given said. “But the team at Betta has made it an absolute breeze and I’m looking forward to building a future with the company.”

As a result of leaving Retravision and joining Narta, the store now has access to several brands that were previously unattainable.

“We’ve inherited more brands such as LG and European brands Beko and Miele. Beko offers affordable well-made kitchen and laundry appliances and Miele is recognised as a high-end brand for the kitchen and laundry.”

The new Kennedys Betta Home Living.

Given went on to say that the family has modernised the product mix at the store.

“We found customers were looking online and to mass merchants for IT products so we shifted our focus to appeal to more of a niche market.

“We will also be offering furniture for the first time in our history, which is a very exciting move.”

Following the sale of the Retravision brand, many of the members sought to transition to either Betta Store Limited or Bi-Rite Electrical, also a Narta member. Current.com.au understands that only stores with minimum turnover of $5 million were accepted.

Given continued to provide some of the history of her family’s store.

“My grandfather was an electrician and used to help connect electricity for those in remote areas.

“When he first opened the store in 1929, due to the development of technology he could only sell a limited number of appliances. It wasn’t until the 1960s that the store began expanding its range.

“Our store has spanned three generations and I think the genesis of the company, being a family-run business, is still the essence of who we are.

“I’m looking forward to carrying on the Kennedy name and showing customers what we have to offer, particularly as our store continues to grow and evolve.”