MAY 2017 RETAILOBSERVER.COM
57
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s appliance, furniture, and mattress retailers, we easily fall into
a commodity mentality. Because of this we always need new
opportunities to drive incremental sales and profits by drawing
more attention to our stores, and hopefully footsteps in the front door.
With that thought in mind, MEGA is excited to bring two brand new
categories to our dealers. At first glance, some may be wondering
how these fit, but after review many members will find that these fit
their business model and can drive the profits they are looking for.
These two new vendors, ICON Health & Fitness and Saratoga
Spas, offer products that fit well with the MEGA whole home
strategy. Both vendors offer products that we all know, but these are
also products with a built-in consumer base because of the
recognized brand names. We believe these new lines will create a
new wave of traffic in store, as well as present new profit opportunities
through incremental sales. Why?
Fitness has been a very large part of the Sears offering and every
large regional independent retailer is in the business. ICON Fitness'
National Sales VP Dave Jackman, relates that home fitness
equipment is as much a part of the home furnishings industry as
appliances or furniture.
Based in Logan, Utah, ICON is one of the world's largest
developers, manufacturers, and marketers of exercise equipment
with brands including Nordic Track, Free Motion, Pro Form, Weider,
and Gold's Gym. ICON has become the fitness industry's leader in
technology and innovation, and continues to strive towards the
advancement of each product and continue to push the envelope.
Why spas? Outdoor Casual is a $4.5 billion dollar a year
category, and Saratoga Spa CEO Anthony Brennan says that
appliance and furniture dealers are better equipped to sell spas
that any pool dealer.
Saratoga Spas has 45 years of manufacturing excellence behind
them with a long history of design and innovation. Saratoga Spas
strives to provide the ultimate pool and spa experience through
relaxation and hydrotherapy, focusing on redefining hydration,
providing relief and rejuvenation through their handcrafted spas.
With their suite of spas, there is something for every shopper.
Saratoga Spa and ICON debuted at the MEGA Spring Show in
New Orleans, both presenting individual breakout sessions on their
products, and gave overviews of their specific industries. Two lucky
MEGA dealers walked away from the buying show with an Adirondack
Spa from Saratoga Spas, and a Pro Form treadmill from ICON.
Retailers who stopped at either breakout or the buying show saw
the quality available first-hand, and the ease by which they can enter
both new categories. With minimal square footage requirements
and a good-better-best display strategy that doesn't take a
tremendous amount of inventory, each offers opportunities to
position the independent retailer to compete with national and
regional players, and provide a new approach for customers.
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