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Expert Warehouse Delivers the Goods

Expert Warehouse
October 16, 2020

Expert Warehouse Delivers the Goods

Expert Warehouse Delivers the Goods

For thousands of independent dealers across the country,

the letters EW have meant the difference between in-stock and not.

Warehouse Manager

You see, EW stands for Expert Warehouse, which is the distribution arm of the powerful AVB/BrandSource buying organization. For over 15 years, EW has provided BrandSource members across the country with state-of-the-art TVs and other cutting-edge consumer tech that would have otherwise been out of reach to local TV, appliance and furniture stores.

By making large-volume investments in inventory and providing members with mixed truckloads of small-quantity orders, Expert Warehouse has helped independent dealers go toe-to-toe with big-box rivals on both availability and price.

Expert Warehouse workers
Expert Warehouse workers

Today, Expert Warehouse stands as the best dedicated independent retail program for consumer electronics and related services in the country and serves as the backbone of BrandSource’s merchandising might.

Like thousands of other independent dealers, you too can boost your home field advantage with the right products at the right price. Let AVB/BrandSource show you how. Learn more .

Expert Warehouse worker
As our guiding principle states, “It’s All About the Members.” Let us make it all about you, too. Click here to get more information on taking your business to new heights!
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We’ll Be There for You

Young business meeting
October 5, 2020

We’ll Be There for You

Business Meeting

You may not appreciate it on the basketball court, but at BrandSource, all of our members are double teamed …

in a good way!

Business Woman

To provide BrandSource dealers with the greatest degree of support, our buying group will assign two staffers to your business: A Region Manager and a Member Relations Specialist.

It’s the job of the Region Manager to make sure you and fellow members from your geographic area are up to date on all BrandSource programs, benefits and opportunities, and are fully informed on the latest industry news you can use.

Meanwhile, our Member Relations Specialists will be there to provide you and your team with a white-glove onboarding process, and will always be ready to assist you with business solutions and guide you along our proven roadmap to success.

Did we say double-teamed? Well, there’s actually a third component of member support — AVB Marketing, BrandSource’s advertising, e-commerce and social media wing. Each new member who leverages their vast, state-of-the-art video and digital resources is assigned an Account Executive who studies your individual market and can develop a customized, high-impact marketing program based on the unique needs of your business.

Meeting
Meeting Share

Besides your Region Manager, Member Relations Specialist and AVB Marketing Account Executive, members are also supported by their fellow BrandSource dealers. Indeed, “Members Helping Members” is a key tenet of the group, and with a nationwide network of 5,000 BrandSource dealers behind you to share best practices and extend a helping hand, you are never alone.

To help keep us all connected, BrandSource conducts Virtual Town Hall Meetings with members and staff, and, when the health crisis eases, the group will resume its relished on-site Region Meetings, which combine business with fun. In addition, our staffers will check in on you regularly via Member Engagement Calls, and keep you apprised of all BrandSource and industry doings with email updates and our exclusive YourSourceNews.com newsletter.

Plus, all BrandSource members and staff gather twice a year, whether virtually or in person, for our national Summit and Convention expos.

Together, our singular mission is to support your business, boost your bottom line and ensure your success every way we can. Just like the song, we’ll be there for you.

Data share

As our guiding principle states, “It’s All About the Members.” Let us make it all about you, too.

Click here to get more information on taking your business to new heights!

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Subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

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It’s Time to Turn the Page on Printed Inserts

To help independent dealers maximize their co-op dollars and reach today’s consumer, the BrandSource buying group has developed a new Digital Tabs program for use in emails, texts and on websites. A simple, repeatable and...

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Calling All Servicing Dealers — BrandSource Has Your Back!

September 28, 2020

Calling All Servicing Dealers — BrandSource Has Your Back!

Home Service Provider

If you run a service department you know what you’re up against — billing rates that don’t cover costs; finding and keeping qualified techs; and increasingly complex appliances with vendor-specific parts that require multiple truck rolls.

BrandSource feels your pain and has created a special committee of servicing members to help tackle the challenges. Backed by the buying group’s $20 billion clout with manufacturers, the National Service Committee has launched a series of initiatives to return profitability to repair work for the more than 75 percent of BrandSource members running service operations.

 

Most immediate is an exclusive, 32-page Service Playbook that is being distributed to all servicing BrandSource members. This invaluable resource is a comprehensive tactical guide covering everything from tech retention, training and compensation, to inventory control, fleet management and even a calculator for setting competitive but profitable billing rates.

working man plumber repairs a washing machine in laundry
working man plumber repairs a washing machine in laundry

A prime example of BrandSource’s complimentary value-adds, the Service Playbook also offers advice on improving first-call completes, turning house calls into high-margin sales opportunities, and other best practices from BrandSource’s servicing members, along with a complete listing of key vendors, industry associations, parts distributors, warranty providers and educational outlets. 

Fridge Repair

Besides the Service Playbook, BrandSource’s National Service Committee has been working diligently to forge a host of strategic partnerships that give our servicing dealers a competitive edge. Among them:

 

  • Teaming up with the Professional Service Association (PSA) for access to its vast library of service bulletins and wiring diagrams; its nationwide peer-to-peer advice platform; and its discounted, ISO-approved tech certification program.
  • Providing discounted BrandSource rates for Master Samurai Tech (MST), a leading online training academy for appliance repair techs.
  • Partnering with Reliable Parts, one of the largest appliance parts distributors in North America, for BrandSource-exclusive payment terms, freight charges, return windows and sign-up bonuses.

And aligning with the United Appliance Servicers Association (UASA), North America’s largest appliance repair trade group, which provides a best-practices archive of service and warranty claims advice; a servicer chat forum; reduced rates for insurance, healthcare, vehicle rentals, office supplies, and uniform and payroll services;  plus access to training videos, webinars and reputation management software.

Oven Repair

And that’s just the beginning! So join the more than 75 percent of BrandSource members who perform their own repairs and together we will meet the challenges of today’s servicing dealers. Come to a group that understands and supports its independent servicers. Come home to BrandSource.

Laundry Repair

 

Want to learn more about the group of the future?

Click here to get more information on taking your business to new heights!

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The Groups Within the BrandSource Group

September 17, 2020

The Groups Within the BrandSource Group

AVB Temas

You may have heard that BrandSource is America’s largest merchandising and marketing group for independent appliance, furniture, bedding and consumer tech dealers. And that as a true retail co-op, it is 100-percent owned by its nearly 5,000 members.

All true.

What you may not realize is that BrandSource itself is comprised of a host of committees, boards and specialty sub-groups. These units are there to support your specific business needs, and to provide added opportunities for networking, socializing or leadership roles depending on your time and interests.

Among the latter are a national Board of Directors comprised of a chairman, vice chairman, treasurer and secretary, and 15 Region Boards led by a locally elected president. All are comprised of member dealers who play a vital role in setting policy, working with vendors, organizing regional meetings, and assisting fellow members.

AVB Board
AVB Regional

For those with more specific interests, BrandSource hosts a number of sub-groups that are tailored to a particular class of trade. Our two Power Dealers groups, for example, are comprised of high-volume members, often with multiple store locations, that generate over $20 million a year in retail revenue within the major appliance or home furnishings categories. The Appliance Power Dealers and Furniture Power Dealers pow-wow regularly to share best practices and operational insights that are unique to large retail operations.

 

For members seeking a voice in the industry and a say in group direction, BrandSource hosts three separate BrandSource Committees. These member-run panels respectively address the group’s merchandising programs and vendor relationships; the unique challenges of self-servicing dealers; and the ever-changing world of consumer tech sales. The committees underscore BrandSource’s much-vaunted “M” Factor: members helping members, as expressed in our motto “Better Together,” while also serving the greater industry by investing in their livelihoods.

For the ladies of BrandSource and their vendors, the group established Women In Business (WIB), a six-year-old support organization designed to educate, empower and inspire female professionals in the appliance, furniture, bedding and consumer tech sectors. The group meets regularly at BrandSource functions, and the gatherings are highlighted by guest speakers and the conferring of the annual Women In Business Cornerstone Award to a role-model member, who has successfully bridged the gender gap in our traditionally male-dominated industries.

 

One of the most popular organizations under the BrandSource umbrella is the Young Professionals group. Created in 2014 to serve as a breeding ground for future industry leaders, this under-40 club is comprised of young, highly motivated dealers, sales reps, buyers, sales managers and vendor partners, all looking to share new ideas and grow their businesses. The Young Professionals hold social gatherings and networking events during BrandSource conventions, and their dedication and business smarts bode well for members’ succession strategies and BrandSource’s own plans for its future.

WIB

So whether you’re looking to bend an elbow, pound a gavel, make new friends or forge lasting change in an industry, BrandSource offers something for everyone while placing fellowship above all else.

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Who is AVB/BrandSource?

Meet AVB Team
September 3, 2020

Who is AVB/BrandSource?

Meet AVB Team

BrandSource is the leading member-owned buying organization for independent appliance, home furnishings and consumer tech dealers. Its parent company, AVB, is a $20 billion co-op that provides merchandising, financing and digital marketing services to nearly 5,000 members throughout the U.S. and Canada.

COVID Relief Marketing

In addition to the core BrandSource buying group, AVB operates AVB Marketing, a full-service advertising, digital marketing and web services agency created expressly for BrandSource members. AVB also partners with a host of industry affiliates, including ProSource, the nation’s largest consumer tech and custom integration specialty group; TRIB Group, a leader in the rent-to-own channel; Mega Group/BrandSource Canada, our north-of-the-border cousins; and HFA Buying Source, serving independent home furnishings dealers nationwide.

Our mission is to provide business solutions to meet our member dealers’ merchandising, marketing, financial and operational needs. Our suite of proprietary services includes marketing, retail financing, merchandising programs, training, strategic planning, servicer support, and website design and hosting. The latter includes:

  • Fast-loading websites
  • Traffic-driving landing pages
  • Search engine optimization and digital marketing;
  • Banner/display ads
  • Email and social media campaigns
  • Professional videography

Our process begins with a full analysis of an independent dealer’s business and market, its customer experience model, and its challenges and opportunities for success. Together we will develop a roadmap that outlines strategy and brand definition first and tactics second, to assure a clear path to implementing a complete business plan.

We are equipped with the resources, experience and talent to provide retailers with the tools and guidance they need to be competitive, relevant and viable in the fast-moving marketplace today, tomorrow and beyond. One such resource is YourSourceNews.com — a key communications platform serving BrandSource members with the latest news, best practices and product trends within the group and throughout the industry. The website has also proven invaluable during the COVID crisis by providing members with critical information concerning government regulations, financial assistance, product availability and safety protocols.

But beyond our many programs and initiatives, BrandSource also serves as a national and regional community of dealers who share their insights, experiences, and yes, in a pinch, even their inventory, in a common bond of fellowship.

News Team

As our guiding principle states, “It’s All About the Members.” Let us make it all about you, too.

Click here to get more information on taking your business to new heights!

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Subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

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It’s Time to Turn the Page on Printed Inserts

To help independent dealers maximize their co-op dollars and reach today’s consumer, the BrandSource buying group has developed a new Digital Tabs program for use in emails, texts and on websites. A simple, repeatable and...

Posted on

Gain Customers Through Your Marketing and Videos

Social Media Users
August 26, 2020

Gain Customers Through Your Marketing and Videos

Social Media Users

Social media is no longer just a digital distraction. Even before the pandemic, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest and similar platforms were becoming an important marketing medium for independent dealers.

Social Media Marketing

Now, during the lockdowns and quarantines stemming from COVID-19, social media and promotional videos have become even more critical to the success of small businesses.

Given the right tools, Main Street stores can have an online impact that far exceeds their brick-and-mortar footprint, rivaling even their biggest box-store rivals. And thanks to AVB Marketing, the digital services arm of the BrandSource buying group, the playing field has not only been leveled, but the advantage is going to Team BrandSource.

Among AVB Marketing’s latest innovations is a turnkey social media program for engaging current customers and attracting new ones. Depending upon which service level they choose (Basic, Good, Great and Premier), members can receive up to 34 pre-made digital messages each month that are ready for posting to websites and social media accounts. 

Social Media Packages

Content includes:

  • Category-related videos spotlighting appliances, mattresses or furniture
  • Product-related lifestyle posts under such themes as “Foodie Friday” for appliances, “Stylish Saturday” for furniture, and “Mattress Monday,” for bedding
  • Rich media posts celebrating lighthearted holidays like Best Friend Day or Celebrate National Puppy Day
  • Anniversary announcements for brands and store openings
  • Social media contests hosted on Facebook and members’ websites and flagged with promotional banners

For member-specific videos, AVB Marketing offers everything from advice on shooting, editing and posting DIY clips with an iPhone, to creating professionally produced commercials for broadcast and cable TV. Members variously use their videos to announce store hours, safety procedures, special events or sales promotions, or to introduce staff, profile new products or even conduct cooking lessons

But regardless of the message or the medium, “It is most important that we stay in front of our customers,” advised BrandSource member Mason Lafferty of Lafferty’s Home Center in Texas. And AVB Marketing is here to help you do so.

 

Want to learn more about the group of the future?
Click here to get more information on taking your business to new heights!

Receive the latest news.
Subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

Related Posts

It’s Time to Turn the Page on Printed Inserts

To help independent dealers maximize their co-op dollars and reach today’s consumer, the BrandSource buying group has developed a new Digital Tabs program for use in emails, texts and on websites. A simple, repeatable and...

Posted on

Calling All Servicing Dealers — BrandSource Has Your Back!

servicers
August 17, 2020

Calling All Servicing Dealers — BrandSource Has Your Back!

servicers

If you run a service department you know what you’re up against — billing rates that don’t cover costs; finding and keeping qualified techs; and increasingly complex appliances with vendor-specific parts that require multiple truck rolls.

The BrandSource buying group feels your pain and has created a special committee of servicing members to help tackle the challenges. Backed by BrandSource’s $20 billion clout with manufacturers, the Service Committee has launched a series of initiatives to return profitability to repair work. 

Among them:

  • Partnering with the Professional Service Association (PSA) for access to its a vast library of service bulletins and wiring diagrams; its nationwide peer-to-peer advice platform; and its discounted, ISO-approved tech certification program.
  • Discounted BrandSource rates for Master Samurai Tech (MST), a leading online training academy for appliance repair techs.
  • Teaming up with Reliable Parts, one of the largest appliance parts distributors in North America, for BrandSource-exclusive payment terms, freight charges, return windows and sign-up bonuses.
  • And aligning with the United Appliance Servicers Association (UASA), North America’s largest appliance repair trade group, which provides a best-practices archive of service and warranty claims advice; a servicer chat forum; reduced rates for insurance, healthcare, vehicle rentals, office supplies, and uniform and payroll services; plus access to training videos, webinars and reputation management software.
servicers

In addition, all servicing BrandSource members will receive a Service Playbook — a comprehensive tactical guide covering everything from tech retention, training and compensation to parts inventory, fleet management and a calculator for setting competitive but profitable billing rates.

And that’s just the beginning! So join the more than 75 percent of BrandSource members who perform their own repairs and together we will meet the challenges of today’s servicing dealers. Come to a group that understands and supports its independent servicers. Come home to BrandSource.

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Related Posts

It’s Time to Turn the Page on Printed Inserts

To help independent dealers maximize their co-op dollars and reach today’s consumer, the BrandSource buying group has developed a new Digital Tabs program for use in emails, texts and on websites. A simple, repeatable and...

Posted on

YOU’RE INVITED – BrandSource Virtual Convention!

JBS_invite_thumbnail
August 10, 2020

YOU’RE INVITED – BrandSource Virtual Convention!

YOU'RE INVITED

YOU’RE INVITED

BrandSource Virtual Convention 

August 30th – September 1st. 
Interested in learning more? 
Fill out the form below. 

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It’s Time to Turn the Page on Printed Inserts

To help independent dealers maximize their co-op dollars and reach today’s consumer, the BrandSource buying group has developed a new Digital Tabs program for use in emails, texts and on websites. A simple, repeatable and...

Posted on

The “M” Factor: Unleashing the Power of Dealers Like You

AVBM team
August 3, 2020

The “M” Factor: Unleashing the Power of Dealers Like You

AVBM Team

BrandSource has changed the course of independent retail by reinventing what a buying group is and what a buying group does. Its mission for the last half century — ensuring the success of the family-owned dealer — has been achieved by thinking nationally, acting locally and embracing the “M” Factor: Members helping members.

Who is AVB?

Who We Are:

BrandSource is member-driven co-op for independent appliance, home furnishings and consumer tech dealers with $20 billion in buying clout. The group spans the U.S. yet operates regionally, with each of fifteen geographic areas focused on issues unique to their locales.

Why Regions Are Important:

Like the national organization, BrandSource Regions are led by and for the members. Each is headed by a member-elected Board and supported by BrandSource Region Managers and the Member Relations Team. Together they serve the needs of dealers that are specific to their part of the country.

Regions are important
AVB regional meetings

Meeting Together to Grow Together:

Each Region meets four times a year: twice regionally, at a Summer Meeting and Fall Town Hall, and during two national BrandSource events, the Spring Summit and Fall Convention. The Region gatherings (which may be held online in the interim) provide an opportunity to seek advice, share best practices, form friendships … and experience the power of the “M” Factor. Members also meet with vendors, attend to Region business and bend an elbow at the end of the day.

Play a Part in Retail’s Evolution:

Help guide the direction of your Region and the group by getting involved. Join a committee, run for the Region or national Board, and empower your employees through participation in BrandSource’s Women in Business and Young Professionals programs.

Join Brandsource
Want to learn more about the group of the future?
Click here to get more information on taking your business to new heights!
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It’s Time to Turn the Page on Printed Inserts

To help independent dealers maximize their co-op dollars and reach today’s consumer, the BrandSource buying group has developed a new Digital Tabs program for use in emails, texts and on websites. A simple, repeatable and...

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Take Charge Of Your Online Presence

Take Charge Of Your Online Presence
July 21, 2020

Take Charge Of Your Online Presence

website and online presence analysis

Your online presence has never been more important to the success of your business, but as an independent retailer we understand you may not have the time to focus on your online presence.

AVB Marketing is now providing home furnishing and appliance retailers throughout the nation with a free website and online presence analysis.

The Digital Marketing experts at AVB Marketing will analyze all aspects of your digital presence and provide you with a free, comprehensive review and digital action plan.

website analysis
COVID Relief Website

Your Free 10-point Digital Marketing analysis will include;

  1. Website Content
  2. Mobile UI
  3. Site Speed 
  4. SEO 
  5. Product Catalog 
  6. Shopping Cart
  7. Checkout Experience
  8. Local SEO Analysis-Google My Business
  9. Social Media Presence
  10. Paid Search Strategy
Developing programmer Development Website design and coding technologies working in software company office
Let AVB Marketing do the heavy lifting for you.
We are member owned. We are not-for-profit. We know your industry.
Please fill out the form below to get your free online analysis!
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It’s Time to Turn the Page on Printed Inserts

To help independent dealers maximize their co-op dollars and reach today’s consumer, the BrandSource buying group has developed a new Digital Tabs program for use in emails, texts and on websites. A simple, repeatable and...