MEGA Group USA Launches Whirlpool Appliance Gallery

January 31, 2012  by in UnCategorized   

By Home Furnishings Business in Furniture Retailing on February 1, 2012

Buying group MEGA Group USA has teamed with Whirlpool to launch an appliance program geared to get its furniture retail members into the major appliance business.

"Whirlpool Appliance Gallery" debuted this week at Las Vegas Furniture Market in the Germantown, Tenn.-based group's showroom, World Market Center, space B-1154, with a 400-square-foot presentation, but the program can run to 1,000 square feet, showing 26 to 30 SKUs of appliances such as washer/dryers, stoves and ovens, and refrigerators from Whirlpool's family of companies.

The gallery program, which is exclusive to MEGA members, aims to position furniture dealers as the one-stop stop in their market for all things home furnishings. To participate, dealers must carry Whirlpool as their exclusive appliance source, but the Whirlpool family encompasses brands such as Maytag, Amana, Kitchenaid and Jenn-Air, along with the namesake Whirlpool brand.

MEGA Group USA members will receive comprehensive training on the appliances as well as service network support, co-op and assistance with gallery display and build out. MEGA is providing complete point-of-purchase, banners and other promotional materials to members to help them promote and merchandise the galleries.

"We are excited to partner with such a strong brand name as Whirlpool to bring this gallery concept to our dealers," said MEGA Group USA President Rick Bellows. "We are constantly researching strategies that will give our dealers an edge in their market, increase their store traffic and allow them to maximize their retail floor space."

In the MEGA showroom, Bellows noted that some of MEGA's furniture retail members might have once carried appliances but abandoned the category because of difficulties with merchandising. Whirlpool Appliance Gallery is a turn-key presentation, backed by education, training and support services.

He added that customers returning for ancillary supplies such as stainless steel or dishwasher cleaning products, and accessories such as belts or other replacement parts.

A pilot Whirlpool Appliance Gallery is up and running in Foley, Ala.