OneCoast Splits Sales Teams & Launches New Firm
Pittsburgh, PA – OneCoast announced that it will separate its sales rep group into two companies to better focus on its retailer customers. OneCoast will also launch a new company named SnapRetail to enable independent retailers to more easily buy and sell their product lines.
“We are always looking for ways to improve how we serve our retailer customers and vendor partners,” said Ted Teele, CEO of OneCoast. “We believe that this transformation into 3 companies better achieves this goal.”
OneCoast and HomeStyle
OneCoast, the largest sales rep agency in the gift, home and collegiate industries, will be split into two distinct companies:
- Its two national groups, ND ONE and OneCoast Collegiate, will operate under the OneCoast name.
- The Home Décor & Lifestyle sales team, renamed HomeStyle, will represent home, lifestyle & gift lines on a regional basis. The Key Account Team will be part of HomeStyle.
“We now offer vendors a choice of representation models,” said Mr. Teele, who will remain involved as a member of the Board of both companies. “Vendors who want to work with us regionally can work with HomeStyle to gain the benefits of a national company but with the relationships and focus of the regional model. And OneCoast will still offer the industry’s only national representation model, providing the benefits of national sales focus and marketing.”
The separation of the sales groups will also enable a stronger focus on specific store type segments, which will lead to improved service for retailers.
“OneCoast has been an invaluable partner to Feizy Rugs for more than a quarter of a century,” said John Feizy, owner and CEO of Feizy Rugs. “The creation of HomeStyle will no doubt lend success to our retailers. We know our relationship will continue to grow and flourish with this newest venture.”
“OneCoast’s national representation model has helped us grow our business in all 50 states,” said Jeff Davidson, CEO of Lindsay Phillips. “And we are thrilled to continue to work with OneCoast.”
After the reorganization on December 31st, OneCoast and HomeStyle will be the two largest sales agencies (in terms of sales volume) in the country, respectively. John Keiser will be CEO and Board Member of OneCoast; Monica Loving will be President and Board Member of HomeStyle. Nancy Lee will be Senior Vice-President of HomeStyle and will be responsible for HomeStyle marketing and vendor relationships.
SnapRetail
SnapRetail will focus on making independent retailers more successful in today’s highly competitive environment.
“Our industry has traditionally done a strong job with selling products to retailers,” said Mr. Teele, who will be CEO of SnapRetail. “However, it has done less well in helping independent retailers sell through these products to consumers. SnapRetail’s goal is to assist retailers in making money by improving the “sell through” of the lines they carry. In other words, our goal is to make retail a snap!” On SnapRetail’s website, retailers will be able to:
- Easily drive traffic to their stores using the new marketing, such as email marketing, social networking, and web commerce (new Traffic Builder product)
- Easily research and purchase products for their stores (SnapRetail online marketplace)
SnapRetail will be partnering with leading trade markets, sales agencies including OneCoast competitors, and vendors to provide an integrated solution to increase product “sell through.” Retailers are excited about SnapRetail. “OneCoast has long been a leader among sales agencies in helping us better run our businesses,” said Christi Tullis, owner of Ambiance Interiors & Gifts. “It makes complete sense that OneCoast would launch a new company to focus on making selling, researching and buying products easier and more effective for retailers.” SnapRetail will be launched January 1, 2010.
ABOUT ONECOAST
OneCoast is the largest and only national wholesale provider of gift, home, and collegiate products to retailers throughout the United States. We help hundreds of leading vendors market and sell their products to over 60,000 independent retail stores, internet stores, interior designers, and retail chains. Our retailers enjoy the benefits and convenience of purchasing products for their stores by working with our professional and consultative sales organization, by visiting our award-winning showrooms across the country, by shopping on www.onecoast.com, and by contacting our customer service team. Since 1997, OneCoast has helped both vendors and retailers maximize their sales and profitability by providing innovative programs and services not found elsewhere in our industry. To learn more, please visit www.onecoast.com.
