Badcock ventures into e-commerce

MULBERRY, Fla. Badcock has made its first foray into e-commerce and plans to redesign its current Web site, the company announced during its annual meeting in Orlando, Fla. According to the company, the new Web site will allow users to purchase certain merchandise that is unavailable in stores.

The company also announced the launch of a new dealer service and support division, which will offer several services to dealers such as risk management, loss prevention and fleet services.

Badcock announce that it is also improving its supply chain initiatives with the creation of a scorecard designed to track certain measurable supplier attributes, such as damage to product and order fulfillment. Badcock believes the scorecard will help minimize the number of items that are out of stock as well as pinpoint problem areas with suppliers.

Badcock also announced that they have implemented new forecasting software designed to predict future product demand. The software, in conjunction with the addition of several replenishment buyers who are responsible for overseeing the current inventory, will minimize the "out of stock" status of product.

"As the housing market continues to lose ground, it is important that we continue to strive for excellence in all that we do," said Badcock president Don Marks. "Now is the time to focus on the fundamentals of our business -- customer service, inventory, store appearance and growing the relationship with our current customer base. The market will return. And when it does, we'll be more prepared than ever before."