A/V Retailing Consolidation in the Works By Jon Iverson August 13, 2000 — Last week, Florida consumer-electronics retailer Sound Advice announced that it has reached an agreement in principle to acquire Scottsdale, Arizona–based Showcase Home Entertainment, LLC, a privately held "upscale" retailer of consumer electronics and custom design services. Sound Advice, founded in 1974, currently operates 24 Sound Advice stores and four specialty stores under the Bang & Olufsen name throughout Florida.

Sound Advice says that, in addition to currently operating two home-electronics stores in Scottsdale and Chandler, Arizona, Showcase is presently engaged in negotiations to acquire a third location. Showcase also operates home-entertainment departments in The Great Indoors home design centers in Scottsdale, Arizona, and Dallas, Texas, and expects to open one in Detroit, Michigan. Mike Hagg will remain as president of Showcase.

Sound Advice's Peter Beshouri explained the acquisition, stating that "we feel that Showcase Home Entertainment is a perfect fit for us and that it will serve as a model for potential future acquisitions. Our strategy is to consolidate, on a selective basis, the very-high-end segment of the consumer-electronics and custom-installation business."

According to Sound Advice, the agreement in principle is subject to a number of conditions, including completion of due diligence and the execution of a definitive agreement.