In the “old days” (10 years ago), customers found and bought the items we sell differently than they do today. It used to be that customers would visit multiple stores, where they would be educated on the products that they needed. After comparing features and...
Independent Thinking Magazine
Websites, Who Needs ‘Em?
I was sitting at home yesterday when my doorbell rang. I opened the door, and no one was there. Instead, I noticed a box sitting on my front step. I grabbed the box and opened it up. Inside was everything from hand towels and sheets to spices and a little plastic cube...
Make Your Marketing with NMG Agency Services
For the last few years, Nationwide Marketing Group has asked what the outstanding challenges are for you, our members, to see where we can help most. An answer that popped up consistently in those discussions was “marketing.” Because while you’re focused every day on...
A Deeper Dive into Furniture Imports
Nationwide Marketing Group Furniture Director Johnny Lamp recently provided a great overview of the tariff issue and explains the varying approaches vendors and retailers are taking in their response. However, I want to take a moment to share some data that puts the...
Navigating the Uncertain Landscape of Tariff Issues
Over the years, furniture retailers have become well versed on how to handle the unpredictable and rocky terrain that is the retail landscape. Recessions, declining consumer sentiment, natural disasters and increasing consumer debt have become familiar obstacles. But...
Beyond Just the Buy and the Sell: Nationwide’s Members and Staff Are Committed to the Give
There is little doubt that the past few years have seen some amazing changes within the network of Nationwide Marketing Group. This list includes the merger of Nationwide and MEGA Group USA, the acquisition of Site on Time, the scaled investment in RWS and AdRocket,...
Prepare for Share Is Prepared to Evolve
It has been nearly four years since Nationwide Marketing Group launched its Prepare for Share initiative to members. As Sears, H.H. Gregg, Mattress Firm and others started to flounder, Nationwide put together a series of data, products and services designed to help...
Independent We Stand Brings New Resources to Nationwide Members
A new partnership between Nationwide Marketing Group and Independent We Stand is creating new opportunities for Nationwide members. Independent We Stand works with local businesses across the country to promote the importance of buying local. Through this new...
The Service Leaders Network: Best Practices for Service Leaders, From Service Leaders
One part of the appliance business that we feel does not get adequate recognition or discussion is service. Appliances are machines, and regardless of improvement in standards, there always will be a certain failure rate. As such, service is an integral part of the...
Member Spotlight: Amarillo Furniture Exchange
Within minutes of speaking with Shorty Hayes, it’s clear that he’s not someone who’s scared of a little risk. He’s got an eye for opportunity and a willingness to seize the moment. And those traits certainly have served him well as an independent business owner — a...
NMG Product Protection: 2019 and Beyond
The Nationwide Marketing Group product protection program has undergone a tremendous amount of improvement since the merger with MEGA in late 2017. And the product protection team believes that continuing to enhance the program offerings is critical to continued...
Light Up Your Store’s Sales with the Persuasive Power of Video
If a picture is worth a thousand words, then video, with its 30 pictures per second, weighs in at significantly more than a million words each minute. That’s a lot of information, persuasion and impact from an efficient and effective source. Video amplifies your...
Store Visits: From Virtual to Reality
The question that every marketer wants to answer for their client is, “Are we helping you meet or exceed your goals?” Or, more specifically, “Can we directly credit our marketing efforts with an increase in your sales and revenue?” The answer to this elusive question...
Connection and Trust: Where Independents Can Shine
A lot has changed, but a lot has stayed the same. Today’s consumer may be more impatient and tech savvy, and technological disruption may have fundamentally changed the retail experience, but independent retailers can still thrive if they concentrate on doing what...