Retail Observer

RETAILOBSERVER.COM APRIL 2022 54 A VB/BrandSource, the $24 billion-plus buying co-op for independent home goods dealers, drew a hard line in the sand for its competitors last month during its annual Summit national meeting and product expo. The event, held for the first time at the new Caesar's Forum Conference Center in Las Vegas, underscored that the organization and its approximately 5,000 members have the right stuff – in grit, determination, and retail support services – not only to weather the pandemic but gain record sales and take market share. And, as reflected by the show's theme of "Own It," they have no intention of looking back. Following a rousing inspirational main-stage presentation by Jim Ristow, CEO of BrandSource parent AVB, and a slew of incisive seminars on everything from showroom design to appliance service profitability, the group provided a look under the hood at its advanced digital engines, which have been further refined and streamlined to meld the online and in-store shopping experience. Other highlights of the week included a special appliance merchandising session featuring top executives from Whirlpool, GE, Samsung, LG, Electrolux and Bosch. Hosted by Chad Evans, AVB's VP of merchandising, the vendors took the stage one at a time to address BrandSource members' weightiest questions and concerns, based on a dealer survey that went out prior to the show, and to share their company's action plans for the year. On the furniture front, BrandSource's Furniture Technology Source (FTS) arm offered a raft of discounted show specials and a dedicated Furniture Track educational program. Members attended a Mattress Executive Panel discussion featuring senior-level representatives from Serta, Tempur, and the group's newest vendor partner, Malouf, along with Michael Magnuson, founder/CEO of consumer advisory site GoodBed.com, while retail consultant and AVB Contributor Lyn Falk of Retailworks, Inc. presented the aforementioned seminars on store design and brand experience. Also addressing the troops were vendor partners Ben Liebert, Electrolux's senior VP of North American sales, and Mary Putman, GE Appliances' VP of marketing & brand. Putman shared her take on changing consumer and marketing trends during an afternoon Masterclass, while Liebert addressed a Young Professionals Lunch & Learn session on navigating the inevitable bumps and curves along the road to business success. The Young Professionals group of under-40 BrandSource members and vendors later reconvened for a Serta-sponsored evening networking event at Las Vegas' sizzling Icebar lounge. Other guest speakers included HRSource managing lead Daniel Abramson, who conducted a recruiting and hiring bootcamp, and BrandSource Service Consultant Paul McDonald, who hosted a special appliance repair track during the show that tackled such topics as setting profitable service rates, improving operational efficiency and a review of warranty service best practices. Also giving attendees plenty of food for thought was Keynoter Galen Emanuele, who asked the audience to rethink the way they approach and drive culture within their businesses. By taking a fresh, step-by- step approach, Galen helped members and guests assess what might be missing from their cultural toolbelts and showed them how to build, integrate and live a culture of their own design that transforms the way employees show up for work and perform together each day. Summit 2022 also served as a concurrent umbrella for AVB affiliates ProSource, the nation's largest A/V and integration buying group; Mega Group/BrandSource Canada, the buying group to the North; and Northeast buying cooperatives Intercounty Appliance Corp. and NEAG (New England Appliance Group). The four affiliates, which variously tap into select AVB services, shared the Summit event platform while also holding discrete meetings and programs. AVB/BrandSource will next convene Aug. 28-31 at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center in Dallas. B U Y I N G G R O U P N E W S RO BRANDSOURCE SHOWS WHAT IT'S MADE OF AT SUMMIT 2022 Alan Wolf is Senior Communications Specialist for AVB/BrandSource, the nation's leading member-owned merchandising and marketing co-op for indepen- dent appliance, furniture, bedding and consumer tech dealers.

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