The Retail Observer is an industry leading magazine for INDEPENDENT RETAILERS in Major Appliances, Consumer Electronics and Home Furnishings
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RETAILOBSERVER.COM SEPTEMBER 2023 58 L ast month's BrandSource Convention 2023 in Nashville was the most furniture-forward show in the buying group's history. On hand were more than 40 home furnishings exhibitors, representing the largest furniture contingent at any BrandSource Convention or Summit, plus exclusive new customer programs and what AVB's Furniture Technology Source arm (FTS) described as "even better deals" than those available at the Las Vegas or High Point Markets. Adding to the excitement on the Convention's EXPO floor were a host of first-time BrandSource exhibitors, including Bedgear, Elements, Emerald Home, England Furniture Co., Legacy, Legends Home, Magnussen Home, Mohawk Finishing Products, Neo Living, Nourison, Puffy, Remedy Sleep, Spring Air, Sunny Designs, and Yosemite Home Décor. In addition, Members Only Home Furnishings, a power-motion leather line available exclusively to BrandSource members, was also on display at the EXPO. As a further value-add, all members received 3% cash back on all orders placed with any participating furniture exhibitor, up to a maximum of $500, in addition to any vendor discounts. Home furnishings dealers also found a power-packed agenda featuring educational sessions, a Top 100 dealer panel, a Furniture Town Hall, a strategic seminar with Serta and Beautyrest, and the traditional Stampede of deeply discounted show specials. Perhaps most important, the Convention featured a furniture- focused update on MTEQ, AVB's integrated suite of retail technology solutions that gives home furnishings members a major leg up in the marketplace. These proprietary high-tech tools include a custom point-of-sale system (SYNC); a customer management relationship platform (HUB); digital price tags and interactive in-store displays (KIOSQ); and a comprehensive, continuously updated digital catalog that's the most extensive in the industry. Together, these powerful assets have been a key differentiator for BrandSource furniture dealers, and have helped their businesses thrive by driving traffic, sales, and market share within an ultra-competitive channel. What's more, noted Michael Posa, AVB's general manager of home furnishings and FTS lead, BrandSource has added more than 10 new rebate programs this year from such brands as Legacy, Liberty, Magnussen, and Spring Air, and for the first time in the group's history, furniture dealers comprise the largest segment of new members to join BrandSource. AVB's furniture, appliance and consumer tech dealers, vendors, and affiliate buying groups will next convene March 24-27, 2024 at Harrah's Las Vegas for the annual AVB Summit and product EXPO. B U Y I N G G R O U P N E W S RO FURNITURE IN FOCUS AT BRANDSOURCE CONVENTION Home furnishings came to the fore at Nashville show 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.