Retail Observer

RETAILOBSERVER.COM AUGUST 2017 56 S ince 2010, MEGA Group USA has offered retail members special consumer financing through a program with Synchrony Financial. In June, Mallory Parker, EVP of business services with MEGA Group, announced a revised program with Synchrony to help retailers succeed in their markets. "MEGA has realigned our partnership with Synchrony and as a result have decidedly improved our program," Parker stated. "Most rates have been reduced starting June 1st, and lower rates on key plans will be offered over longer periods of time beginning in July." Consumer finance is a major driver of group membership and retailers enjoy not only reduced rates each month, but also flexibility for first, second, and third look credit options using MEGA Finance Exchange. The system allows retailers to quickly provide customers with finance options based on their credit in one easy step. These in-store kiosks can be leased and placed strategically around the showroom, offering customers a discrete, streamlined application process. The combination of new program rates and seamless application process further solidifies the MEGA Finance Exchange as the leader in the retail category. THE PLAY TO GRAB SHARE FROM HHGREGG AND SEARS It's the topic on everyone's mind in our industry: how can inde- pendent retailers grab the share that comes with the downturn of Sears and hhgregg? Much of it centers on grabbing the spotlight and being where customers are. • In March, Rick Bellows president of MEGA Group shared with retailers at the Spring Convention in New Orleans that now was the time to act. To help its members activate on this idea, MEGA offered both traditional and digital advertising opportunities to help grab share. • A digital campaign was executed in May to position MEGA retailers within close proximity of a closing hhgregg location as the choice for all appliance needs. The campaign ran for 30 days across search and social media, racking up over 386,000 impressions, but most importantly generating over a thousand web conversions and calls to the store. This short- term, competitive positioning campaign was strategized and executed by MEGA Marketing and its digital advertising partner Netsertive. • In July, a print circular featuring multiple vendors was distributed through Valassis' network to one million households. These households were targeted based on a specific customer profile. The merchandising team at MEGA helped produce a turn-key piece for the group's retailers to personalize, and distribute in their communities. These examples offer a glimpse of how MEGA helps retailers create effective advertising that is easily executed and cost-effective. B U Y I N G G R O U P N E W S RO MEGA ANNOUNCES REVAMPED CONSUMER FINANCE PROGRAM

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