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AO - let's go - with John Roberts founder of Appliances Online
Jun 12, 2024
John Roberts, founder and CEO of AO, ignites the conversation with his inspiring journey from a £1 bet in a pub to building a leading electrical retailer. He shares how superb customer service and innovative marketing set AO apart. Fascinatingly, he reveals the company's shift back to mailing mini-brochures amidst a digital age. John also discusses their ambitious goal of comprehensive recycling of appliances and the challenges of maintaining brand integrity while driving ethical business practices.
01:12:50
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Quick takeaways
- John Roberts founded AO.com after a £1 bet, transforming the retail landscape by offering significant discounts through an innovative online platform.
- The company sets itself apart through an emphasis on superior customer service, providing unique delivery options and quality first interactions to build loyalty.
Deep dives
Innovative Beginnings of AO
AO was founded by John Roberts in 2000 after a £1 bet with a friend in a pub, challenging him to start a business. The initial focus was on selling appliances online at a time when e-commerce was still developing, characterized by basic websites that lacked modern functionalities like online transactions. His friend, who had knowledge in computing, assisted him by creating a simple holding page, and John capitalized on the inefficiencies of traditional retail to offer customers substantial discounts, often around 40%. This unique approach of combining traditional marketing methods with an innovative online platform helped AO to attract a loyal customer base in its early days.
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Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode