SHOW REPORTS: Bestbuy Launches New Private Label

Bestbuy Distributors launched its new private label program at its Opportu-nities 2001 trade show in Toronto.

The Quality Automotive Products program will cover a limited number of categories at the outset: radiators, brake pads, drums and rotors, chassis parts, tire valves, coil springs, timing components.

The new label joins the existing Profession-als’ Choice private label program. That program is offered as a result of Bestbuy’s membership in the APA group based in the U.S. The company will continue to offer the Professional’s Choice brand for the foreseeable future. The association with APA has also allowed Bestbuy to offer an Indianapolis 500 promotion to installers.

Marc Alary, marketing and product manager for Bestbuy, says that the new label will offer the buying group more flexibility.

“With the new label, we can go and select the products we want. We can look for products that our members want right now and if there are coverage or quality concerns, we can address them a lot quicker.

“It’s a very dynamic approach and I think it allows us to react very quickly to changing market conditions.”

Bestbuy Distributors also presented the Horace J. Pratt Supplier of the Year award to Specialty Sales & Marketing. It also presented a cheque for $40,000 to the Toronto Hospital for Sick Children, the largest single contribution the group has made to the hospital. In total, the group has raised more than $400,000 for the institution.