Gavin Beech

Appliances Online

John Winning was working in his family's century-old bricks and mortar retail business, Winning Appliances, when he saw the growth opportunity to sell whitegoods online. Despite John's enthusiasm for appliances, his family did not believe online retail could be successful, and in 2005 at just 21 years of age, John set out with a $50,000 business loan and founded a stand-alone online retail business. Appliances Online catered to a growing market of Australians looking for an efficient, streamlined shopping experience that's affordable, convenient and hassle-free. Although the site initially catered to time-poor consumers looking for a replacement item in the Sydney area, the business'​ customer base has evolved to include builders, real estate property managers and renovators from all across Australia. Expansion has occurred at every level of the business. Appliances Online now employs over 250 people and operates nationally via its own trucks and centralised warehouses in NSW, VIC, QLD, SA, WA, NT and satellite warehouses in Heatherbrae and Canberra. Appliances Online's investment in customer service, technology and logistics has allowed for complete end-to-end service. Something which has been recognised and awarded nationally and internationally, when Appliances Online was awarded with Best Customers Service by the World Retail Awards in 2014. Providing exceptional customer service has been the driving force behind the success and rapid growth of the online retailer, which is now arguably one of Australia's most successful online start-ups.