National franchisor BSR Australia Ltd says it has maintained a positive outlook despite the global economic crisis, achieving substantial strategic
objectives in the past six months.

BSR group general manager, Ian Brown, said the combination of key supplier partnerships, new retailers opening and the new Home Living furniture brand launching and no debt were the fundamental elements of the group sustaining a positive business focus during a difficult year.

“Our company’s position has remained consistent this year in the face of challenging circumstances and that’s a result the board and management team is understandably proud of and will continue to protect,” Brown said.

He said BSR’s network continued to grow this year with the addition of the Mr Rental membership to the group and the launch of the Betta Home Living programme.

“The ‘Betta Home Living’ programme has given both existing members and potential furniture retailers another very good reason to belong to our brand,” he said.

“We recognised the importance of ‘One Stop Shop’ home retailing. This is an approach that our retailers and partners are enthusiastically adopting in their day-to-day operations.”

Brown said the group also announced a further three new retailers to the Betta Electrical brand in the past three months to the Betta Electrical brand this year and the new tagline“You’re Better Off with Betta” continued to roll out through its marketing campaign.

He said Betta Electrical national gift card programme, launched with stores in December 2007, had now gone online in November 2008 and was proving
highly successful. The on-line strategy was further enhanced by the launch of the Group’s online, pre-shop product showroom in August.

“Our trading position is strong and management and the board have achieved an excellent, stable business platform to take us into 2009.”

Brown said the Group had accomplished its major objectives of maintaining stability and strengthening the balance sheet.

BSR Australia Limited and its subsidiary BSR Franchising Pty Limited were formed in 2006 to meet the buying and marketing needs of Betta Electrical and Chandlers retailers, after acquiring the brands from franchisor Betta Stores Limited which was placed into receivership.

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