BUYING GROUP FOCUS - ACG

Having been in sales all my adult life from B2C to B2B, I think that I have been privy to every style of sales pitch there is. When offered something that sounds too good to be true, I would inevitably reply “where’s the catch?”



This I think, is the most common response I receive when discussing the benefits of ACG membership with a curious retailer. Trying to promote a concept rather than a tangible item can prove to be frustrating, especially when you know that the retailer would benefit significantly from group association.

To this end, I thought I would try and address some of the initial concerns and common misconceptions retailers still have regarding buying groups and in doing so, hope that they consider their position and explore the opportunity of ACG membership.

Question: We don’t want to lose our independence as we pride ourselves on being a family run business?

Answer: ACG is non-intrusive and does not dictate in any way how you run your business. We purposely shy away from corporate policies in order to retain an approachable and friendly demeanor. The majority of our members are, in fact, independently run family stores.   

Question: What’s in it for you?

Answer: ACG is run solely for the benefit of its members and not for profit, unlike some other groups. By continuing to strengthen the membership we reaffirm our partnership commitment with the industry’s major suppliers, cementing our trading relationships.

Question: How much is the subscription?

Answer: Our annual subscription is £949.00+ vat and runs from September 1st – August 31st. We are not the cheapest buying group to join, nor are we the most expensive. We are however, confident that ACG offers the best returns for your business against your subscription investment.

Question: Do I have to order my products through the group?

Answer: No. You continue to place orders directly with suppliers and your relationship with them remains unchanged. You do not have to alter any of your current inhouse routines.

Question: What does the group buy?

Answer: Although we are termed a buying group, we don’t actually buy anything. We use the combined purchasing power of our membership to broker the best industry buying prices and rebates for our members.

Question: How many members are there within ACG?

Answer: As I write, ACG has 366 member stores across the UK and Northern Ireland.

Question: Does ACG pay the annual turnover rebates?

Answer: The group is very transparent regarding rebates earned by its members. Therefore, rather than accumulate these in house and then redistribute them to member stores, ACG insists that rebates are paid by the supplier direct to the member. 

Question: Do I have to change my showroom to group branded products?

Answer: Although the group has its own very successful Smartchoice brand identity and unitary, it is not a condition that member stores have to embrace it. The choice is up to the retailer.

“ACG is run solely for the benefit of its members and not for profit, unlike some other groups,” says Jon. “By continuing to strengthen the membership we reaffirm our partnership commitment with the industry’s major suppliers, cementing our trading relationships.”

However, it is becoming more and more relevant, as it allows members to maximise margin whilst protecting their sale against the annoyance of high street and online price comparison. Also more recently, with the increase of trade counters offered by distributors, it offers price protection from the man in a van too.

To summarise, a retailer should never be worse off by becoming a member of the Associated Carpet Group. The group provides many initiatives and benefits from which the member selects the ones that suit their business best.

The ACG ethos is simple, if you place the majority of your business with the industry’s main suppliers rather than alternative manufacturers and distributors, you should recover your subscription cost, earn additional rebates and generate more margin for your business on an annual basis. It really is that simple.

“Where’s the catch you ask?” I can honestly say there isn’t one!

T 01942 825 520  www.acgcarpets.com