Retail Observer

OCTOBER 2021 RETAILOBSERVER.COM 33 family," Weisner says. "And they made websites available to the thousands of dealers who didn't have one." The group followed up the Site on Time acquisition with the announcement of a new service, AdRocket, which was designed by longtime partner Retailer Web Services specifically for Nationwide members. The platform works as an effective digital advertising tool for appliance, consumer electronics, mattress and furniture retailers, allowing them to see available promotions, adjust ad spends, augment group spends and view reports. NEW LEADERSHIP – SAME MEMBER FOCUS In early 2018, Nationwide named Tom Hickman as its sixth president. And continuing the tradition set forth by Guttman, Kelly, Weisner and Kirk was not something Hickman took lightly. "To me, it felt like a much higher calling coming to Nationwide to help thousands of businesses do what I knew they could do," Hickman recalls. "Les once told me that the only thing you need to know and understand is that everything works when you take care of the membership. That has been incredibly astute guidance for me, and that is what I tell everyone who comes into the company." Hickman, whose family owned an appliance store, had grown up in the industry as well. Helping on weekends at the store ingrained the passion he has for both Nationwide and indepen- dent retailers. "I am incredibly proud I can carry on Ed's and Robert's and Les's vision of finding the best people in the business, regardless of where they're at, and focus them on solving problems for our members," Hickman says. STILL UNITED Although currently 5,000 members strong, the core values and beliefs that brought those original seven retailers together are still prevailing today. Big Box is still present, albeit in the form of Amazon, Best Buy, Lowes and Home Depot. And attracting "foot traffic" today starts online rather than with more traditional advertising methods. But Nationwide is still focused on answering retailers' questions and solving their challenges. From buying power, to marketing, financing, training, or new challenges that are coming, Nationwide continues to showcase the spirit the founders channeled 50 years ago. "The member was our whole focus in life. We wanted to grow the member's business, and I couldn't be happier with how things have turned out," says Weisner, who now serves in an advisory board capacity for Nationwide Marketing Group. "The new team has done a phenomenal job in continuing to develop and improve what we started. I think we have a bright future." RO Article and timeline compiled by Doug Marsh, Content Director, Nationwide Marketing Group

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