New Aaron's Plus Concept: High Performance, Great Economy Aaron Rents, Inc. Roars into the Exurban Marketplace

Furniture World Magazine

Aaron's Plus, the newest offering from Aaron Rents, Inc. combines top-level quality service and performance with familiar, down-home comforts. Prototype stores, opening in Sandersville and Tifton, GA, are designed to build upon the incredible success of Aaron's Rental Purchase and Aaron Rents' reputation as the leading innovator 'in the Rental Purchase industry. The stores-compact, but loaded with top quality electronics, brand-name appliances and furniture - are built to perform in exurban and rural markets lacking the economies of scale needed to support Aaron's Rental Purchase Super Stores. Markets, nonetheless with tremendous sales and profit opportunities. "Aaron's Plus offers the same great deals and opportunities available in major markets in a friendly, familiar setting" says Todd Evans, Vice President of Franchise Development, Aaron's Rental Purchase Franchise Division. "It's a concept with tremendous franchise potential." On a broader, scale, the Aaron's Plus concept, designed to become pan of Aaron's high-performance franchise family (1998 sales $85 million), offers entrepreneurs an opportunity to fill an under-served, yet highly-significant niche in the rental purchase industry. Aaron's Plus offers something good for everybody. For the entrepreneur, unlimited potential in an untapped market. On the consumer side, great retail prices on top quality goods-, unmatched customer service; state-of-the-art financing mechanisms, both long and short-term leasing and rental options. "Aaron's Plus is the race car of the rental purchase industry," says Evans. "High energy, high performance, high quality in a streamlined package." Aaron's Plus services include: Aaron's Plus Low Retail Prices and Cash-Back Guarantee. Aaron's Plus is a subsidiary of Aaron Rents, Inc. With annual revenues of more than $350 million, its own manufacturing division (MacTavish Furniture Industries), Aaron Rents' purchasing power guarantees Aaron's Plus stores high-quality furniture, brand name appliances and electronics at a cost competitive with department stores and major retail outlets. And, if customers find any big ticket item available elsewhere for less, Aarons Plus will pay them $ 100 cash -- guaranteed. Aaron's Plus Financing. Aaron's revolving credit card accounts are available for qualifying customers at rates competitive with major credit cards-, additional long-term credit options are available through participating lending institutions. These and other consumer finance programs are built upon Aaron Rents' unparalleled stability; its decades' long relationships with many of the nation's leading financial institutions. Aaron's Plus Leasing An option tailored for consumers trying to establish credit, shore-up diminished purchasing power (a reality for Millions of working families) or recover from credit problems or financial reversals. Aaron's Plus leasing contracts - 4 months and one day -- confirm to strict Federal Leasing Act guidelines while overriding complex, often contradictory state statutes. An added plus: cutting legislative red tape accelerates Aarons Plus growth into other consumer markets. Research shows the rental purchase market (some 19.6 million households) is reliable. increasingly upscale, under-served. Aaron's Plus targets exurban consumers outside the broader urban marketplace. It does away with the onerous, long-term agreements typical of the rental purchase operations in rural areas. Aaron's Plus customers can own their merchandise in 12 monthly payments. They are free, for example, to cancel rental purchase agreements at any time. For potential franchisees, Aaron's Plus will simply outperform traditional retail businesses in exurban or rural settings. Four out of five Aaron's customers return to make other purchases or rentals. Rental purchase items are typically rented three or four times prior to being acquired. "By downsizing the rental purchase environment," says Evans, "we've created a very attractive opportunity for experienced, aggressive entrepreneurs looking to expand their business portfolios. Founded in 1992, Aaron's Rental Purchase Franchise, is a division of Atlanta-based, publicly traded Aaron Rents, Inc. (NYSE RNT). Aaron Rents Inc. was founded in 1955 and has since emerged as a U.S. leader in furniture rental and rental purchase with a total of 425 stores in 32 states.