Page 58 - HW November 2019
P. 58

global eyes
                                                         Bunnings broadens its horizons online and in person
WITH THE ANNOUNCEMENT of a new online marketplace and the acquisition of Adelaide Tools, Bunnings Australia is looking to diversify its offering in a rapidly cooling market.
Taking a leaf out of Amazon’s book? – Looking to gain leverage from Bunnings. com.au, the third most visited shopping and classified site in Australia, mid last month, Bunnings Australia revealed that a new online marketplace to be known as MarketLink would go live during November, possibly in time for Black Friday 2019.
Open to retailers and manufacturers which have qualified for Bunnings’ Trusted Sellers Program, MarketLink will bring to the Bunnings mix a significantly broadened range of home and lifestyle products.
New product categories available on Marketlink will include indoor furniture, white goods and kitchen appliances, home entertainment, kitchenware and homeware from “well-known brands not currently available in Bunnings stores”.
Without revealing which brands and suppliers are currently signed up for Marketlink, Bunnings ANZ Managing Director, Michael Schneider, would say that the new platform will comprise “a highly curated range of products that
extends and complements our in-store range”.
The BANZ MD added that MarketLink had received “a very positive response from sellers” and would have 8,000+ products ready for launch.
It’s reported elsewhere that the fulfilment of products ordered through MarketLink will be the responsibility of the retailers and suppliers.
www.bunnings.com.au
Just targeting the trade? – Other Bunnings Australia news from last month was the purchase of South Australian specialist tool retailer, Adelaide Tools.
With a 70-year history and family- owned and operated, Adelaide Tools has five Adelaide stores, plus the Oaklands Mower Centre and an online store offering 8,000+ products.
Far from simply filling a gap in the Bunnings network (it already has 20 stores in and around Adelaide), BANZ’s Michael Schneider says the acquisition is all about accelerating Bunnings’ trade business and will bring “insight into the dynamics of the trade specialist market”.
“While our businesses are very different, we see strong alignment between the Adelaide Tools and Bunnings brands with both businesses having a strong focus on team, advice and service – we believe this acquisition will deliver even more choice and convenience for trade customers.”
Interesting to note that Adelaide Tools – whose motto is “We sell tools, not toys!” and whose locations include full servicing facilities by the way – will continue to operate under its own name.
https://adelaidetools.com.au/
  56 NZHJ | NOVEMBER 2019
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