Retail Observer

MAY 2015 RETAILOBSERVER.COM 55 With continually increasing attendance numbers at PrimeTime! from the Furniture category, the group devoted a full day just before the show floor opened to their Furniture Summit, where dealers were able to take advantage of exclusive deals. Bill Bazemore, VP of Nationwide Furniture, said, "Today, there's an unmistakable mood among American consumers. It's a desire to support the American Worker and the American economy through the purchase of products that are built here. G.E. understands it, so does the Whirlpool Corporation, and Chrysler, and Walmart and more. These companies have done the market research and they've invested hundreds of millions in marketing campaigns that proclaim their support for American jobs and American-built products. By the way, they continue to do it, so it must be working. As independent businesses, Nationwide Marketing Group's member companies are a major component in the engine that drives the U.S. economy. So who is better positioned to make a strong statement of support for American-built products and the jobs they create? In early 2014, Nationwide Marketing Group introduced an exciting Nationwide exclusive product lineup known as iAmerica, featuring exclusive furniture and bedding from Serta, Jackson Furniture, Catnapper, and Vaughan-Basset. While we know that consumers are receptive to this American-built message, we also know that they are saying, 'I want value, I demand quality, I expect service and I want it built to last.' This 'I', the American consumer, is at the heart of iAmerica." Rick Weinberg, senior VP of marketing, discussed the new marketing initiatives. "Many members tell us that one of their biggest challenges is time. Nationwide makes marketing your business easy. Our 360 Events format, which for 2015, includes a full multi-channel media campaign with television commercials, social media advertising, email marketing, in-store print and digital signage assets and more, are available to members on the six most important promotional time periods, the next of which is Memorial day. All of the materials are pre-approved for co-op by our biggest participating vendors and are made available at low, low group subsidized pricing," said Weinberg. "Our new promotional calendar and advanced sign- up tools for 2015 are simpler to read and use, offering promotional dates, themes and even what media assets will be available for each promotion, making it easy and cost effective to develop a marketing plan for your appliance, consumer electronics, furniture, bedding, outdoor power or outdoor living business right here at Prime Time! Our new posting format for promotions on MemberNet has been designed to make it easier to find the promotion and offers from each participating vendor," Weinberg stated. Nationwide also announced they are the proud recipients of the 2015 Partner of the Year-Sustained Excellence Award from ENERGY STAR, for the third year in a row. The next PrimeTime! show will be held August 2-5, 2015 at The Venetian in Las Vegas. Visit www.nationwideprimetime.com for additional information. RO

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