Retail Observer

RETAILOBSERVER.COM AUGUST 2016 66 NORTHPOINT COMMERCIAL FINANCE EXPANDS ITS VENDOR RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE SIGNING OF AUDIO AMERICA, INC. Northpoint Commercial Finance ("Northpoint") continues to expand its vendor relationships and its partnership with Nationwide Marketing Group ("Nationwide") through a new program for Audio America, Inc., an authorized Nationwide vendor. Northpoint is a diversified finance company that provides flexible inventory lending and floorplan financing solutions, and Nationwide is North America's largest buying and marketing organization. For an inaugural period, Northpoint is offering an extended term inventory finance program for Audio America's U.S. dealers who are Nationwide members. The program will be used to support dealer purchases of Audio America's products. A premiere electronics distributor headquartered in Jupiter, Florida, Audio America serves a customer base of over 3000 channel partners and retailers in the U.S. and Latin America. "Northpoint's extended terms program will help us move product more efficiently and enable our dealers to stock their showrooms without locking up their cash in inventory," said Jonathan Elster, CEO of Audio America. "With their experience in the consumer electronics and appliances industries, we know they understand our dealers' priorities and financing requirements and we value their insight." Audio America offers custom-tailored supply chain management services ideally suited for the e-commerce, business-to-business and business-to-consumer markets. Northpoint will give each Audio America dealer their own dedicated account representative to serve as an ongoing financing strategist, in keeping with their focus on relationships and service. "With the Audio America program, we are excited to add a key Nationwide vendor and expand our program offerings to the Nationwide membership" said John Durnien, SVP of Business Development at Northpoint. "Our relationship with Nationwide enables us to provide valuable financing solutions and offer best- in-class service." "As a long term Nationwide partner that has been servicing a great number of our members, D&H now offering Northpoint as an inventory finance option is running on a parallel path to what we are trying to do with the eXchange," says Dean Sottile, SVP of Distribution Logistics for Nationwide. "Arming dealers with information and qualified choices will ultimately allow them to decide the path that is best for their individual business." Northpoint offers a world-class management team with more than two decades of experience in the industry. As a non- regulated lender, Northpoint offers flexible programs not found in today's highly regulated banking environment, and can offer a nimbler response. While the relationship with Audio America was initiated through Nationwide, Durnien emphasized Northpoint will offer financing options to all Audio America dealers. WYNONNA TO HEADLINE NATIONWIDE PRIMETIME! KICKOFF Wynonna and The Big Noise will take the stage at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville this month to celebrate the kickoff event of Nationwide's PrimeTime! show. The private concert will host all attendees of the event on Sunday night, following a dinner reception. "This will definitely be a night to remember," said Jeff Knock, CCO of Nationwide. "We can't come to Nashville and not utilize the Grand Ole Opry and what better headliner than Wynonna and The Big Noise to create some great memories at the kickoff event for our attendees." Nationwide will be celebrating 45 years of business this year, and is deeming the theme of the show "We Are Nationwide", highlighting not only their 45 years of supporting independents, but celebrating the accomplishments and successes of their 3,500+ roster of retailers. Over the course of the show floor days, dealers will meet with leading appliance, electronics, and furniture manufacturers and have access to unbeatable deals. The group's thousands of independent retailers will also gain exposure to product demonstrations and cash back opportunities only available at PrimeTime! Register for PrimeTime! today by visiting www.nationwideprimetime.com. B U Y I N G G R O U P N E W S RO

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