Bing Lee
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Bing Lee | |
|---|---|
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| Type | Private |
| Founded | 1957 |
| Headquarters |  Fairfield, New South Wales, Australia |
| Area served | Sydney |
| Key people | Bing Lee (Co-founder); Ken Lee (Co-founder) Lionel Lee (grandson, CEO) |
| Industry | Retail |
| Website | [1] |
Bing Lee is an Australian retailing company, a chain of superstores specialising in consumer electronics, computer and telecommunication goods. Bing Lee is the largest privately-held electrical retail business in New South Wales with 35 stores and a turnover of about $400 million. [1]
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[edit] History
The business began when Bing Lee purchased an electrical repair business in Fairfield, New South Wales in 1957. Bing turned the repair business into an electrical product retail and repair/installation business, with his Chinese-born son Ken. Initial growth came from the surge in demand for televisions, as well as a host of other household items like washing machines, cooking equipment, heaters, audio equipment. Bing Lee opened new stores in other Sydney suburbs and across New South Wales.
Around the turn of the century, the franchisee concept was introduced to the business and by 2006 around two-thirds of Bing Lee retail outlets were run by franchisees.
Bing Lee, the founder, died in 1987 (aged 79) and his eldest son Ken Lee took control of the business.[2] Ken Lee died on 21 December 2007 of cancer, aged 75. His eldest son, Lionel Lee, took over as chief executive of the company.
In 2008 it was announced that from April 27th Bing Lee would offer customers purchasing selected front and top loadings washing machines free Dynamo powder (12kgs) and Cuddly softener (6L) for a period of 12 months at a total value $120.00 AUD. There are rumours that this promotion is in memory of Ken Lee who was particularly fond of selling washing machines. At this stage it is purely speculation, no official statement has been released to confirm or deny these claims.
There is a widely held belief across the washing machine/laundry industry that the "boost of Sard" contained in the Dynamo powder is of tremendous potency and will play a key role in the success of this particular promotion, again no quotes could be obtained to verify this claim and at this stage, is completely unsubstantiated and without basis.
Phil Moujaes, General Manager of Bing Lee, claims this Bing Lee laundry offer is bigger and better then previous promotions. Further information on this promotion can be obtained in the May 2008 catalogue.
[edit] Sponsorships
Bing Lee signed a 2-year sponsorship deal with A-League giants Sydney FC in February of 2007. On Sydney's Home strip the front is taken up with Bing Lee, and on the away jersey it is on the front and back of the right leg of the shorts.
[edit] Themes
The theme music used by the company is the Monty Python tune of I Like Chinese.
