Days after we revealed that Sydney-based retailer Winning had moved to sack 100 employees, the business has moved to roll out a “Human Kind” program that they are asking attendees to pay up to $800 for a platinum seat to attend.
Unlike Harvey Norman and The Good Guys, Winning Appliances are claiming that business is booming at the specialist appliance retailer.
John Winning, the CEO of Winning Appliances, who was last week bragging that he is selling “truckloads” of $40,000 Sub Zero fridges, has still not explained why he resorted to sacking staff.
The business has, however, moved to try and raise thousands of dollars running a three-day Human Kind summit bringing together industry leaders and changemakers at Sydney’s Luna Park from 16 to 18 March 2023.
The start price for tickets is $199 up to $800.
The thrill-seeking CEO, who appears to be more at home sky diving and sailing ocean racing yachts, claimed that high-end fridges, ovens and outdoor grills are fuelling a premium home retail boom, at the specialist retailer. He says the Group is spending $10M refurbishing one of their Sydney showrooms.
Winning told the AFR that growth in the first six weeks of the year had been robust, with the Group’s sales in January 19 per cent higher than for the same month a year ago, while the business recorded double-digit growth last year to reach annual sales of $1.13 billion.
It appears that the young Winning is more at home bragging about his business than explaining the reason for the sacking of staff.
Seen sitting inside a Sub-Zero fridge the business sought PR exposure with the AFR days after ChannelNews revealed news about the mass sackings and their financials.
“For us, really the top end is getting bigger,” Mr Winning said. “There is still money at the top of the price bracket.”
One of the top of the range fridges Winnings sells is a Sub Zero model that retails for $40,000.
“We’re selling truckloads,” he said, adding supply constraints were the biggest issue for the top of the range models, with some long lead times.
John Winning claims there had been no drop-off at either of the Winning Appliances businesses, which sell many of the same brands at the lower price brackets.
Thrill seeking one day, ducking for cover the next, Winning Appliances CEO John Winning
“We’re seeing no slowdown in the first couple of weeks of February,” he said.
Currently his main Sydney showroom is closed.
His Crow’s Nest Store is also facing new competition from the Bing Lee-operated Signature Appliance store, which is located close to the Winnings store in Willoughby NSW.
Mr Winning said in January cooking products generated 45 per cent sales growth, while whitegoods was up 18 per cent.
He said high customer service ratings from customers who appreciated being able to have an oven or washing machine installed and the old one taken away, were also bolstering growth rates.
Winning has failed to explain how he can give away ‘free delivery’, especially as he is using his own staff to deliver goods.
He does claim that inflation in the main categories had peaked, with one of the big influences being international shipping costs which were coming down significantly after the supply chain disruptions of the pandemic.
“It’s mainly driven by the lower shipping costs,” he said.
He also claimed that the Appliances Online operations had been steadily expanding its product offering, adding items like mattresses and furniture.
“We’re in it for the long game,” Mr Winning says.
