Retail Observer

RETAILOBSERVER.COM NOVEMBER 2022 52 I n today's retail world, a best-in-class website is indispensable to running a successful business. And fortunately for members of the BrandSource buying group, the AVB Marketing team (AVBM) are experts at just that. As a Google Premier Partner – a status limited to the top 3% of participating companies – AVBM has exclusive behind-the-scenes access to the latest insights from its dedicated Google representatives, allowing members to stay one step ahead of the competition when it comes to attracting customers to their Alta websites. Now, imagine a world where every aspect of your business is fully integrated, and all functions can "talk" to each other. Well, I've got good news for you – that world exists today! With AVBM's full suite of technology products, we can seamlessly integrate each of the pieces of your business technology. Here's a rundown: LINQ LINQ is where it all starts. From there, information can be pushed out to every other product AVBM offers. Your entire product catalog is fed to your website by your LINQ feed, and every single product you could sell can be shown on your website. But that's not all LINQ can do – LINQ also pushes out the latest pricing on every product in your catalog, which means no more selling products at the wrong price! SYNC The SYNC point-of-sale system (POS) was created specifically for BrandSource members to run every aspect of their business. SYNC keeps track of sales, service, parts and inventory all in one place, and because it's cloud-based, no special hardware or servers are required. It even allows your company to go paperless if you wish. What's more, the SYNC POS system will soon be able to push your live inventory back to your AVB website, removing the pain-point of product availability for your customers and your store. HUB The HUB is a customer relationship management (CRM) tool that allows you to create quotes and send them to your shoppers via text messaging (SMS) or email. HUB also allows you to follow up with your customers. It even allows customers to confirm a purchase and pay for it via a link you send to them. Meanwhile, all communications are logged and shared with your entire team – completed sales are pushed to your AVB website, and quotes can also be pushed to your SYNC point-of-sale system for in-store purchases as well. KIOSQ The AVB KIOSQ is a freestanding silent salesperson with a virtual aisle that allows a customer to filter and browse through all of your available products with a touch of the screen. Customers can also build packages and create a shopping cart for purchase using an in-store KIOSQ display. (And just like your website and point of sale system, your KIOSQ product catalog is fed by LINQ.) DIGITAL PRICE TAGS With SES-imagotag digital price tags, you never have to worry about a product on your showroom floor being priced incorrectly. Basic product information and up-to-the minute pricing is pushed to your tags every morning by LINQ. With its latest product offerings for members, AVB Marketing literally has the solution to all your business technology needs. And one of the best things about this collection of cutting-edge business tools is that each can be integrated with the others to provide a smooth, consistent experience for your customers and your staff with each and every interaction. Rich Lindblom Digital Service Trends Former AVB BrandSource dealer Rich Lindblom is a past principal of Advanced Maytag Home Appliance Center in Schaumburg, Ill. He now brings his 45-plus years of hard-won retail experience to fellow BrandSource members as a columnist and product manager for the group's AVB Marketing division. You can reach Rich at rich.lindblom@avb.net. RO BRANDSOURCE: WE'VE GOT A SOLUTION FOR THAT AVB's suite of business technology tools is pretty darn sweet

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