The ARL Advantage
At Associated Retailers Ltd (ARL), community ownership blends with entrepreneurial spirit. Our members become part of the ARL community committed to delivering exceptional service to customers every day, while being supported by a network that values collaboration and growth.
Established in 1959, ARL is a co-operative buying group that was founded to provide a range of services and benefits to independent retailers. It provides members the opportunity to trade under our iconic trademarks, leveraging the consumer awareness of popular retail brands with the added benefit of our buying power stemming from our relationships with major international and local suppliers including LEGO, adidas, Mattel, NIKE, Shimano and ASICS.
Creating Value
ARL are dedicated to creating value for our members by helping them operate thriving, contemporary businesses. Our focus goes beyond profit, aiming to build a supportive environment that fosters both growth and success.
Our vision is to empower independent members with the tools, resources, and guidance needed to excel in a competitive market. Through strong brands and compelling value propositions, we inspire and motivate our members to stay ahead in their industries.
The ARL Advantage
The ARL Advantage stems from our diverse portfolio of businesses across multiple retail sectors, allowing us to leverage collective resources, expertise, and scale to benefit all members. This broad experience provides valuable insights, best practices, and strategies helping members remain competitive and innovative.
By leveraging scale across our group, ARL can negotiate better pricing, secure volume discounts, and optimise systems, all of which reduce operational costs for members and improve profit margins. Our category specialists offer tailored advice and strategic guidance, ensuring members receive relevant, industry-specific support.
The ARL Advantage fosters an ecosystem of collaboration, providing members with the tools and opportunities to grow and succeed in a competitive market.
- Group Buying Power: ARL members benefit from collective buying power, securing competitive pricing and exclusive access to high-demand products. With ARL’s strong relationships with suppliers, members gain advantages typically unavailable to independent retailers.
- Charge Through System: Simplify financial transactions with ARL’s Charge Through System, which automates invoicing and claims handling, saving time and reducing administrative workload. It allows for direct billing from suppliers and ensures easier, more accurate reconciliation.
- Product Planning & Buying Events: ARL hosts exclusive product planning and selection events where members can provide feedback and shape the product ranges and promotional strategies. This ensures that the products offered align with customer needs and market trends.
- Direct Imports: Through our Direct Import program, ARL members gain access to exclusive product lines, better pricing, and improved profit margins. Members also have more control over their stock management, ensuring efficient inventory levels and fewer out-of-stock situations.
Powerful Tools to Streamline Your Business
- Retail POS & Business Systems: ARL provides a comprehensive suite of tools to help streamline your operations, including retail POS systems, online ordering platforms, and social media management tools. These solutions reduce administrative burden, increase operational efficiency, and help members focus on growing their businesses.
- ARL Central & ARLnet: ARL Central is a centralised intranet offering essential resources, tools, and up-to-date information to help members succeed. Meanwhile, ARLnet is a user-friendly platform designed to simplify account management, reconciliations, and day-to-day administration.
Group Marketing Support
ARL provides comprehensive marketing support to ensure your store stands out in a competitive market. We manage both national and local campaigns designed to boost brand visibility and increase customer engagement.
Our expert digital strategies and support including social media management, email marketing, and tailored local area marketing, help you connect with your community and attract more foot traffic to your store.
In addition to strategic direction, we also offer creative execution and templates to help you implement effective campaigns easily. Whether it's in-store promotions or online engagement, ARL provides all the resources you need to drive traffic, elevate your marketing efforts, and ultimately increase sales.
eCommerce Integration
ARL’s eCommerce brand websites provide members with the opportunity to expand their reach by fulfilling products on a state-of-the-art online platform. Key features, including real-time stock availability checks, order fulfillment, and Click & Collect, enhance the customer experience, increase foot traffic, and drive sales.
ARL manages and maintains the platform, ensuring a seamless and efficient online solution, while members handle the sales fulfillment. This integration allows for streamlined online-to-offline sales, giving customers a smooth shopping experience while enabling members to focus on growing their businesses.
Creating a Memorable In-store Experience
At ARL we recognise the importance of a well-designed retail space in creating a memorable shopping experience. We offer services to help transform your store into a welcoming environment that encourages customers to explore and return.
Our team provides tools and expertise on dynamic store layouts, effective signage, and creative merchandising to enhance customer engagement and drive repeat business.
Team Rates
Members have access to special low rates and discounts on a wide range of crucial business expenses through our partnership with NARTA and ARL service providers. This helps reduce operational overheads, making it easier to maintain a profitable business while providing essential services at a lower cost
Support & Induction
ARL’s comprehensive induction and training program ensures that all members regardless of retail experience are equipped with the knowledge, tools, and support needed to succeed from day one. This tailored program covers everything from understanding ARL’s operational processes to learning best practices in retail management, customer service, and sales strategies. ARL is dedicated to setting members up for success, giving them the confidence to excel in their communities and grow their businesses.
Join ARL and Take Your Business to the Next Level
When you join ARL, you become part of a cooperative of like-minded retailers, supported by expert guidance, strong buying power, and marketing expertise. As a member-shareholder, you’ll have access to exclusive products, operational efficiencies, and group buying advantages that simplify your business, so you can focus on delighting your customers.
Start your journey towards retail success with ARL and discover how our partnership can elevate your business.