By Aimee Chanthadavong
Implementing a multi-channel business strategy has helped push the Winning Group’s total sales in excess of $350 million for the 2013 financial year, with the company's eponymous CEO arguing that retailers must be strong both online and offline to succed.
The Winning Group — owner of Winning Appliances, Appliances Online and Big Brown Box — experienced 25 per cent sales growth year-on-year, with total sales of over $350 million. This was made up of its websites (including Appliances Online and Big Brown Box) and retail store sales, which each exceeded $150 million in sales for the financial year.
Revealing the company’s sales for the first time, Winning Group CEO John Winning said the results mark a milestone for the century-old family business as it was the biggest year on record for its Winning Appliances and Appliances Online business.
“These figures highlight our growing market share, especially within the online space where our websites, experienced 35 per cent year-on-year growth and sales in excess of $150 million,” he said.
“While the group consists of offline and online entities, the single thread that ties our solid performances together is our focus on providing exceptional customer service.
“Being family-owned and run, we have the agility to innovate and implement new initiatives for our customers. To ensure we keep our service promise to customers we have invested in a 24/7 Australian based customer support centre and a national distribution network of trucks and warehouses.”
A strong component of the business continues to be its nine Winning Appliances showrooms. In the past two years, the company has opened two new Queensland showrooms and recently launched its flagship Redfern showroom.
In a post on his blog last month, Winning defied critics who say shopfront retail is dying, saying this was one of the “biggest retail myths”.
“Shopfront retail is not dying; you just have to be innovative and willing to change your methods to catch the eye of shoppers that have an abundance of choice,” he wrote.
He also argued that modern retail should combine both online and bricks and mortar selling, a message he reiterated in today’s results statement.
“The debate between online versus offline is over," said Winning. "Australian retailers must perfect their business formula across all platforms to earn the trust and repeat business from savvy shoppers. The now customer needs to be engaged with a thoughtful and world-class approach.”