Retail Observer

RETAILOBSERVER.COM JULY 2022 58 A VB BrandSource members looking to rustle-up the latest- and-greatest in major appliances, home furnishings and consumer tech should saddle up for next month's annual summer Convention. This year's national meeting and product expo is slated for Aug. 28-31, when the $25 billion buying group and its industry partners will make a triumphant return to the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center in Dallas. A sister resort to the Gaylord Opryland in Nashville, site of past BrandSource shows, AVB first converged on the Lone Star facility in 2019. Since then, BrandSource members have gone on to win significant market share, leading to this year's show theme of "Own it," and CEO Jim Ristow's pledge not to cede any of the group's gains. At next month's Convention, members will be treated to a full slate of education tracks courtesy of the group's HRSource, ServiceSource, Furniture Technology Source (FTS) and AVB Marketing arms. In addition, attendees will learn the latest about the high-margin, inflation-resistant luxury segment in a special series of Luxe Brand presentations, while a record number of vendor partners will provide product trainings on their newest wares. For more information on Convention 2022, and to register for the show, simply mosey on over to AVBevents.com. Elsewhere at AVB BrandSource, two new appliance opportunities have been added to the manufacturer mix. Hauslane, a California-based range hood resource, and Robam, a global producer of ranges, range hoods, cooktops, built-in ovens, steam ovens and dishwashers, have formally joined the BrandSource vendor roster. Headquartered in South San Francisco, Hauslane was co-founded in 2018 by CEO Calvin Ruan, who brought an entrepreneurial spirit and 21st century innovation to the range hood category. The company is known for its mid-price-point range hoods, which are available in under-cabinet, wall-mount, island and recessed configurations. The products feature powerful motors, cutting-edge filtration, an innovative self-clean function for easy maintenance, and a versatile venting system that saves time and money on most installations, Hauslane said. The units regularly receive rave user reviews and carry a lifetime motor warranty and two-year limited warranty. In contrast, Robam is a 43-year-old global appliance powerhouse that took the Guinness World Record in 2018 for best-selling range hood brand with 2.7 million units sold at retail (followed by Fotile). Produced in five manufacturing facilities in China, including two fully automated factories, the Robam line of high-performance kitchen appliances features award-winning designs and that are sold in more than 100,000 retail stores around the world. The brand is new to the North American market. "We are incredibly excited to share Robam's robust catalog of powerful and beautiful appliances with dealers across the United States, and we are optimistic about working with BrandSource's well-established network to deliver a premium cooking experience to customers in every region," said Elvis Chen, the company's regional director. "Our products continue to impress consumers around the world, and we know North American buyers will appreciate our quality and craftsmanship." "We look forward to working with the Robam team to position its globally recognized products in front of dealers within the BrandSource family," added Andy Kriege, communications manager at BrandSource. "Consumers are hungry for quality appliances with the latest technology, and Robam's wide variety of kitchen appliances definitely delivers on that expectation." B U Y I N G G R O U P N E W S AVB BRANDSOURCE PREPS FOR CONVENTION '22 Saddle up for AVB's return to Dallas in August Alan Wolf is Senior Communications Specialist for AVB BrandSource, the nation's leading member-owned merchandising and marketing co-op for independent appliance, furniture, bedding and consumer tech dealers. RO

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