KETTERING, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 12, 2005--GE's Retail Sales Finance unit and the Independent Jewelers Organization (IJO) are collaborating on a new consumer credit program that began launching nationwide in November 2005.
The Master IJO Jeweler "Jewelry Express" program will be available through more than 850 IJO retailers, and provides on-the-spot applications, credit decisions within minutes, special promotions and competitive interest rates.
"Credit availability is often a vital part of the sales process in jewelry retail," said Jeffrey Roberts, President and CEO of the IJO, which is headquartered in Norwalk, Conn. "GE is well known for innovative marketing and promotions and responsive customer and retailer service, so they were the natural choice when we looked for a new consumer credit partner."
The IJO is the world's largest jewelry buying group and service organization for retail jeweler members. Founded in 1971, the organization is comprised of more than 175 of the world's top suppliers and about 850 jewelry retailers in the U.S., Canada, the U.S. Virgin Islands, England and Australia. Retail members are able to buy from supplier members at a group discount, enabling them to pass the savings on to their customers. IJO holds two buying/seminar conferences annually for its members.
"The IJO is very effective at helping its member retailers be more successful and more profitable, and this new credit program is another example of that support," said Dick Welp, Jewelry Financing Sales Leader for GE Consumer Finance, Retail Sales Finance. "We have long-term relationships in the jewelry industry, and look forward to helping the jewelry retailers that belong to the IJO grow their businesses and provide financing solutions for their customers."
About the Independent Jewelers Organization
The Independent Jewelers Organization (IJO) was founded in 1971 as a buying group for independent retail jewelers. Today it is the largest jewelry-buying group in the world, representing some 850 retailers primarily in the United States and Canada. The IJO negotiates with more than 175 of the world's leading suppliers to provide the best products and prices for its members, as well as up-to-the-minute industry education. For more information, visit www.ijo.com.
About Retail Sales Finance and GE Consumer Finance
Retail Sales Finance, based in Kettering, Ohio, is part of GE Consumer Finance and provides private label credit card programs, marketing, installment lending and financial services for national and regional retailers in key industries: jewelry, home improvement, powersports, outdoor equipment, automotive/recreational vehicles, consumer electronics and appliances, furniture, floor covering, and health care. With $150 billion in assets, GE Consumer Finance, a unit of General Electric Company, is a leading provider of credit services to consumers, retailers and auto dealers in 47 countries around the world. GE Consumer Finance, based in Stamford, Conn. (USA), offers a range of financial products, including private label credit cards, personal loans, bank cards, auto loans and leases, mortgages, corporate travel and purchasing cards, debt consolidation and home equity loans and credit insurance. More information can be found online at www.geconsumerfinance.com. GE (NYSE: GE) is a diversified technology, media and financial services company dedicated to creating products that make life better. For more information, visit www.ge.com.
(C) 2005 General Electric Company, All rights reserved.
Contacts
Independent Jewelers Organization
Penny Palmer, 800-624-9252
[email protected]
or
GE Consumer Finance
Cristy Williams, 678-518-2596
[email protected]
Jeff Wilson
GE Capital Corporate Finance
[email protected]
1-203-749-6340