Retail Observer

RETAILOBSERVER.COM MAY 2019 58 B U Y I N G G R O U P N E W S I ndependent We Stand is proud to announce a new associate sponsor for 2019. Nationwide Marketing Group brings nearly 50 years of service to independent retailers, rent-to-own dealers and custom installers, helping them grow their businesses and thrive on their own terms. In doing so, the group is dedicated to enhancing its members' impact on the communities they serve across North America. With more than 5,500 members operating approximately 14,000 storefronts, Nationwide Marketing Group is the largest buying, marketing and business support organization of its kind. Its members represent billions in combined annual sales within the major appliance, furniture, bedding, electronics and specialty electronics industries. Through Independent We Stand marketing campaigns and social media, Nationwide Marketing Group will work alongside co-sponsor STIHL Inc. and associate sponsors PPG and Do it Best Corp. to increase awareness about the importance and powerful economic benefits of buying locally. "With the support of Nationwide Marketing Group, we can offer even more free resources to thousands of businesses. The more successful these independent retailers are, the more they reinvest. The more they reinvest, the bigger the economic impact they have on their communities," said Bill Brunelle, co-founder of Independent We Stand. "It's partnerships like these that allow us to vastly increase the footprint of the buy-local movement and its effects." "Nationwide Marketing Group is strongly committed to providing personalized service to our independent dealers, so this sponsorship just makes sense," said Tom Hickman, president of Nationwide Marketing Group. "We share a passion with Independent We Stand for building relationships with and among independent retailers to help them grow their businesses, provide exceptional service to their customers and make a difference in their communities." Independent We Stand makes it easy for consumers who are committed to buying locally to find small businesses to support. On the website, shoppers can take the pledge to become part of the movement and sign up for a Locals Only newsletter, do a Locals Only Business Search to find locally owned businesses or download the Independent We Stand Buy Local app to find independently owned businesses on the go. The app is available for Android or iPhone devices. Through tiered membership levels, Independent We Stand can also help independent business owners. Independent We Stand is a nationwide movement of inde- pendent small business owners whose mission is to inspire other owners to better understand and celebrate their locally- owned status while educating consumers about the strong economic benefits of supporting them. The Independent We Stand movement is sponsored by STIHL Inc. STIHL products are sold through more than 9,000 authorized local STIHL dealers from coast to coast – not big box stores. Associate sponsors include Nationwide Marketing Group, PPG and Do it Best Corp. About Nationwide Marketing Group. Nationwide Marketing Group works on behalf of thousands of independent retailers, rent-to-own dealers, and custom installers to help them grow their businesses and thrive on their own terms. For nearly 50 years, the organization has remained committed to the independent channel by empowering its members with the scale, sophistication, and efficiencies they need to compete, along with providing unmatched business intelligence, tools, and resources to help them win in an ever-changing business environment. To learn more about Independent We Stand, please visit www.independentwestand.org. Visit www.nationwidegroup.org to learn more about Nationwide Marketing Group. INDEPENDENT WE STAND ANNOUNCES NEW ASSOCIATE SPONSOR North America's largest buying and marketing organization reinforces support for independent dealers RO

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