Platinum, polished

Website Editor • July 19, 2019

ACG showcases the strength of its members’ buying power

ACG’s Platinum event offered a polished performance at the stunning lakeside location on the campus of the University of Warwick.


The annual ACG exhibition, AGM and gala dinner, now in the second year at Warwick, demonstrated the group’s attractive approach to mixing business with pleasure for its members.
The event was also a showcase of the latest suppliers’ launches and Group promotions. Highlights included the arrival of Lano and Phoenox Rugs as new supplier partners, new LVT offers from Furlong Flooring and Distinctive and the debuts of the Sedna recycled nylon yarn from Associated Weavers, Abingdon’s extra soft Sophisticat, Hugh Mackay’s Quintessential Twist and the latest from Cormar. New IT solutions for flooring visualisation, business management and payment systems were also on show.

Steve Byrne at Abingdon Flooring described the ACG show as a “very focused event for retailers who are serious about their business.” Jeremy Wilson of Ulster Carpets agrees: “This is an excellent show in an idyllic location which is
very professionally organised but has an intimate feel among retailers who understand the importance of relationships
in business.”

“The members not only come to events to see us, but more importantly they come to meet each other and find out what’s really happening out there,” said ACG executive director Richard Moore. “The financial incentives are obviously first and foremost why retailers join ACG, but we are very much a people business.”
The event creates a focus for promotions and incentives, many of which are exclusive to those who attend the show and it is well supported by some 23 suppliers. “We have developed great relationships with suppliers who have invested strongly in supporting this event to provide an ideal platform to do better business.,” adds Richard.
“There are still some people who are unsure about the buying group experience – they value their independence and often think they’re already getting the best deal,” said Richard. “We encourage these retailers to talk to our members directly so that they can get it first-hand how they can keep all of their independence while doing an even better deal with their suppliers.”

That independence is underwritten by the unique way in which ACG organises its operation. Unlike some buying groups, all rebates are paid directly to members from the group suppliers. This maximises a significant return on membership fees without making any changes to their business.

“Our job is to broker the best possible deal with all the top suppliers on products we know to be reliable best sellers based on the combined buying strength of more than 310 member stores,” says Richard. “Then we step away and let retailers trade direct and handle the transaction themselves in their usual way.” The Group’s own revenues come from members’ subscriptions – set at an amount that guarantees you’ll get it back in rebates, and quickly says ACG.


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