FMG opens Web site
Tom Edmonds -- Furniture Today, January 6, 2003
High Point — The Furniture Marketing Group, a buying and networking group for large and midsized retailers, has developed a Web site for membership services and communication between members.
The password-protected site, fmgbuyinggroup.com, is database driven and can be expanded as FMG grows, said Mike Herschel, the group's executive director.
"We believe that we have established a very functional platform to post the confidential information of the buying group while also providing a secure networking environment for our members," he said.
The site will strengthen the group's communication with and between members, Herschel said.
"One of the key attributes to our buying group is the ability of our members to network with other non-competing retailers of like size and product mix," he said. "This unique quality is enhanced by the messaging and e-mail functions in the members-only section."
FMG is a nationwide group of 51 independent furniture retailers with members now in Alaska and the Bahamas. Members do at least $5 million in sales annually, although several are multi-store chains with sales in excess of $30 million.
With several credit-oriented members, the group is focused primarily on promotional and midpriced merchandise. Major vendors include Berkline and Ashley.
