A NATIONAL group of consumer electronics distributors, manufacturers and independent retailers is moving to beat grey market internet stores and the discounting of the large mass-market chains that have eroded their sales.

The annual meeting yesterday of the Star Audio Visual Association, which features more than 50 specialist hi-fi retailers, considered a plan to change the name of the group to the Australian Hi-Fi Association. It would be the biggest change since the Star group merged with the Your Audio Visual Specialists group three years ago.

Association members include manufacturers such as Yamaha and Toshiba, distributors and importers such as Synergy Audio Visual, International Dynamics, Qualifi and Tivoli Hi-Fi, as well as retailers. Together they represent more than $1 billion of sales of home entertainment products.

Earlier this year, the group appointed a new chief executive, Peter Familari, and presented evidence to the Productivity Commission inquiry on the retail industry.

The association plans to lift its professional standards, encouraging retail members to offer free extended warranties to buyers of home entertainment products and setting up a staff training courses.

The proposed name change is part of a strategy to identify retailers in the group, many of whom are experiencing the weakest trading conditions in years.

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/business/hifi-body-takes-on-its-rivals-20111113-1ndrg.html