MEGA Group Links with ayr1 for Internet Presence

December 1, 2008  by in UnCategorized   

By Home Furnishings Business in Furniture Retailing on December 2008 Buying giant MEGA Group is embarking on a new $4.8 million Internet initiative designed to bolster members’ marketing and sales-building strategies.

The group has partnered with ayr1.com, an Internet solutions provider, to offer member stores the ability to choose from more than 2,000 ayr1 product catalogs.

“We have looked at numerous Web solutions providers over the past years and we are satisfied that ayr1 brings the best combination of services,” said Jerry Honea, chief operating officer of MEGA Group USA.

Internet search engines operated by Google, Yahoo and MSN recognize Web site content as a major component of ranking retailers when they are searched by product or category. Honea said the ayr1 product catalogs will enhance search results for MEGA members.

Honea said the catalog addition will give MEGA retailers a competitive edge in consumer searches online by keeping consumer eyes on the retailer’s Web site as opposed to linking over to a manufacturer’s site and possibly being directed to other retailers.

“At a time of extreme pressures on our retail members, we felt that we must show leadership in helping our members cope with the challenging and changing media landscape,” Honea said. “Ayr1 brings a world-class level of experience in our four business categories of furniture, mattress, electronics and appliances. Ayr1 is the only organization that can provide all of the necessary content required by our retailers.”

Based in Germantown, Tenn., MEGA has more than 1,300 retail members.