Longtime host of the Independent Thinking Podcast, Rob Stott, shares a farewell message to listeners, with news about the future of the podcast.

DMI Appliance Group Executive Director & CEO Alan Joskowicz invited us into their Hamilton Township, New Jersey, headquarters and brand new 800,000-square-foot warehouse for a tour and chat about business. We look into the path that DMI has been on, what trends the organization is tracking, and how members of both NMG and DMI can benefit from the groups’ partnership.

Before we get too deep into the calendar year, we wanted to take some time to sit down with Synchrony Financial to help set the stage for 2025. Dave Marsh, general manager for the brand, dives into some of the more important economic indicators as well as the programs and services retailers should tap into to be successful in the new year.

With the end of the year fast approaching, we take a moment – with the help of Wells Fargo’s Steve Jermier – to look back at how the retail industry (and economy) ultimately performed in 2024, and look ahead to next year. Steve also gives an overview on the resources available to set retailers up for success in the new year, including waterfall programs.

It can be difficult to truly understand what it means to run an independent retail business unless you’ve actually been in the trenches and done the dirty work. Same could be said about working on the manufacturing side of the business, if we’re being fair. Adam Fain, who recently joined the NMG field team, has experience on both sides of the business and brings that unique perspective to the group and our members.

To remain in business for nearly 40 years in the electronics and custom integration space, a business needs – and its people – need to understand what it means to evolve and adapt. That’s exactly what Jim Fossile, owner of EDSTV in the suburbs of Philadelphia, has done in a variety of ways.

A lot has transpired since Julie Burns, Executive Director of Monogram, was last on the podcast over three years ago! We dive into the current (and future) state of the luxury appliance market and look at some of the truly creative and innovative partnerships Monogram has launched over the past year. 

Cybersecurity is a topic that’s incredibly worthy of discussion no matter what month the calendar says it is, and that’s exactly why we sat down with NMG’s VP of IT & Technology Bryan Aller outside of October to talk about it.

It was a busy third quarter for the Business & Financial Services team, especially around the ENERGY STAR initiative and keeping members up to date on the Inflation Reduction Act.

From infusing their product with innovative technology to supplying retailers with an impactful story tell tell year round, Broil King is helping keep the conversation going around outdoor cooking and entertainment.