— Furniture Today,
Suppliers ranked on quality and service issues
SASKATOON, Saskatchewan – Mega Group has recognized Magnussen Home, El Ran Furniture, South Shore Furniture and Simmons Canada, along with three other key suppliers, for quality and service provided to its members in 2013.


 The awards cover all of Mega Group’s major product categories, including merchandising and credit services.

 “Our supplier partners are significantly important in the growth and success of independent retailers,” said Todd Smith, Mega’s general manager of merchandising. “We are proud that these awards allow us to recognize those suppliers that excel in the delivery and execution of services with our retailers.

 “At the same time, the results acquired from the retailer survey will allow us to work with those suppliers who did not win and identify areas that they can improve in going forward. The results will be positive for everyone involved as this process continues.”

 The awards were presented at the group’s recent annual general meeting and conference in Victoria, British Columbia.

 The award process involved a survey containing specific service and quality questions. The survey was distributed to a sample of Mega Group retailers across the country as well as the group’s credit and merchandising teams.

 Both retailers and merchandisers were asked to rate suppliers on a range of quality and service issues that impact business at retail, including customer service, training and support, point-of-purchase materials and gross margins. The results created a ranking of suppliers in terms of service and quality performance, leading to a Retailer Supplier Recognition Award.

 Retailer Supplier Recognition Awards were made to the following:

 + Appliances: Electrolux Canada

+ Consumer electronics: Panasonic Canada

+ Bedding: Simmons Canada

+ Upholstery: El Ran Furniture

+Case goods: South Shore Furniture

 In addition, the ranking created  by Mega’s merchandising team resulted in the awarding of a single Merchandising Supplier Recognition Award, which was presented to Magnussen Home.

 At the same time, the credit team was surveyed, and those results determined a top-ranked supplier that best met the needs of the group’s credit processes. The Credit Team Supplier Recognition Award measured factors such as invoicing accuracy, customer service, debit and credit note processing and effective use of Mega’s central billing procedures. This year’s award went to Echelon Home Products, a supplier of appliances.