Logistics can make or break a business of any size. As an independent retailer, having a partner you can trust is essential to creating a reliable, cost-efficient, and easy-to-manage transportation strategy. 

For this reason, Nationwide Marketing Group (NMG) partnered with J.B. Hunt to offer an exclusive freight program with customized benefits and cost savings only available to NMG members. 

CLICK HERE for more details on this exclusive NMG – J.B. Hunt program. 

We caught up with the J.B. Hunt team for a special Q&A that answers the following frequently asked questions for independent retailers like you: 

• Why working with a SINGLE national logistics partner matters 
• The BENEFITS of controlling your own freight decisions 
• How the CONSULTATIVE process works with J.B. Hunt 
• The VALUE this partnership brings to NMG members 

J.B. HUNT Q&A 

Why does working with a SINGLE national logistics partner matter to independent retailers?

The question isn’t necessarily why “does” it matter, but why it “should” matter to independent retailers. The core of a true partnership is simplicity and scalability. Aligning with a single logistics partner allows independent retailers to gain greater control over consistency, accountability, and brand identity. Consistency is created from the warehouse to the final destination through standardized service expectations, visible communication touchpoints, and expedient problem resolution. When retailers rely on vendor-dictated methods or a web of multiple carrier partners, accountability can become diluted. Partnering with a single service provider eliminates the “blame game” across the supply chain, avoiding prolonged issues at the customer’s expense. It gives the retailer peace of mind through a single point of contact who will shoulder the service, solution, and risk quickly and reliably. At the end of the day, whether a delivery is made to a storefront or a living room, the natural reaction to an error is to blame the business where the product was purchased. Independent retailers set their brand standard through strategic partnerships. By utilizing a single carrier, they have the power to enforce feedback and drive growth, knowing the final service experience is a lasting impression of their brand.  

What BENEFITS do retailers gain when they control their freight decisions?

For an independent retailer, control is the ultimate foundation of successful operations. As an independent, if they are at the whim of every other entity that touches the business, they lose in more ways than they win. Historically, letting vendors handle freight has played into the notion of convenience, but it often comes with a lack of transparency. When a retailer takes control of freight decisions, they gain critical advantages like cost savings and improved inventory turns. When retailers manage their own freight, they gain visibility into the true cost of shipping, rather than paying a fee or flat rate that is frequently marked up. Some vendor-offered shipping programs are designed to benefit the buyer; however, more often than not, the rate reflects the vendor’s overall supply chain and not the individual shipments for the buyer. By taking back control of freight decisions, retailers can capture savings directly and turn that into improved margins and more appealing floor prices. Retailers also regain control of the product cycle when they control freight decisions. Instead of being at the mercy of a vendor’s shipping strategy, retailers can model shipments to be as flexible as their sales, ensuring the right products arrive at the right time. By finding synergy between freight decisions and actual demand, retailers can improve inventory turn by keeping storage space clear for holiday spikes or special orders, while ensuring their investment remains available and attractive on the floor.  

What is unique about the CONSULTIVE process J.B. Hunt takes when working with our members?

J.B. Hunt founders Johnnie and Johnelle always said, “Good partners attract good partners.” Today, J.B. Hunt puts this fundamental principle into action throughout all areas of service and innovation. The company is not just an average trucking team; we understand the different shipping service requirements for appliances and furniture compared to other retail products. Our process is built around developing final mile solutions tailored to the niche our partners operate within. The consultation we bring to Nationwide Marketing Group members is rooted in the understanding that an independent retailer’s logistics should be a competitive advantage. We do not just provide a quote; we start by listening and learning. We analyze a member’s current service lanes, shipping costs, and pain points to identify where we can adapt, add value, or improve inefficiencies. When we review opportunities with a member, the goal is to learn from one another and provide information that allows retailers to make informed decisions.  

What VALUE does the NMG – J.B. Hunt partnership bring to our members?

The NMG – J.B. Hunt partnership is about empowering members at scale without sacrificing the identity of the independent retailer. Because J.B. Hunt is integrated into the supply chains of buying groups and vendors that NMG members already use today, we offer a seamless transition for those seeking to optimize service and costs. J.B. Hunt’s extensive infrastructure provides agility, whether a member is looking to improve current lanes or expand into new ones. The partnership translates the collective strength of NMG into real financial benefits for members, including an exclusive 5% discount on standard shipping rates through our Final Mile preferred carrier program. J.B. Hunt also supports the value of the NMG investment by issuing a quarterly 3% rebate based on freight spend, which is distributed back to members. Beyond immediate savings, J.B. Hunt’s national scale allows us to maintain industry-low fuel costs and provide consistent capacity to support service needs. Through this partnership, NMG members aren’t just receiving discounts — they are gaining an industry-leading, safety-driven logistics partner that allows them to focus entirely on their core business and customers.