MEGA Group Show In Nashville Recap
Furniture World News Desk on
8/26/2017
MEGA Group recently reported that it's 34th running of its convention drew record attendance – with 410 businesses from across the country represented and more than 1,450 total attendees.
The theme of the event centered around “Tell Your Story” and was purposely picked to encourage dealers to think about more than lowest price messaging, and to better verbalize what they do that’s different, and how to connect more personally with customers and employees. It also gave independent retailers a chance to reflect on the reasons why their store has survived in the ever-changing, sometimes turbulent retail landscape. Kicking off this idea was comedian and motivational speaker Kelly Swanson who engaged the group with the tale of Cash and Man Bun. The quirky story was light-hearted and fun, but centered on the idea that “you can always do one better” when taking care of customers. The day then broke into a series of breakouts, workshops and new product introductions. One of the highlights for many was the chance to hear from their fellow retailers in Mattress U panel sessions and Furniture and Appliance roundtables. Being able to share challenges, successes and tips was one of the most remarked upon “wins” of the training day.
Following a full day of training, MEGA introduced the group to Andrew Davis who led a highly energetic keynote on the customer experience and how to win with customers today. If retailers for the most part all look the same to the average consumer, those that win are the ones who stop telling customers they are different and start showing them how they are.
The last day and a half were centered around the buying show, where more than 90 vendors exhibited at the Music City Convention Center, introducing hot buys and new products to the retailers who were present. Among those on the floor were a great selection of furniture, accessories, appliance, electronics, mattress, business services and marketing vendors. MEGA also had 21 new vendors showing for the first time including Simply Amish, Steve Silver Co., Restonic, Dr. Greene’s Ideal Mattress, Zen Hot Tubs, Almost Heaven Saunas, The Retail Doorman and many others.
Overall, the response from retailers was positive, and many pre-registered for the Spring 2018 MEGA Group Show in Atlanta on March 11-14.
“We spend many months planning these events and looking for ways to engage our membership and helping them overcome the challenges facing independent retailers today,” said Rick Bellows, president of MEGA Group USA. “As we wrapped up this Show, we heard so many great comments from our retailers and vendor partners about how special this Show was. At the end of the day, not only do we help retailers buy better, but we help them build their own brands to reach more people locally.”
More about MEGA Group USA: MEGA Group USA is the fastest growing national home furnishings buying organization in the country with retail members in the furniture, electronic, appliance and mattress industries. MEGA Group USA is dedicated to the online success of every member and is committed to providing cutting-edge, effective and practical resources as technology continues to evolve and be the driving resource to reaching consumers. MEGA also provides their members excellent products and services including insurance, group vendor programs, custom advertising and marketing services, consulting, store merchandising, and information technology support aimed at driving floor traffic, improving sales and profits, and enhancing operating efficiencies. MEGA Group USA has 1,850 retail members in 3,200 store fronts throughout the United States. For more information on MEGA Group USA, visit www.megagroupusa.com.