Retail Observer

RETAILOBSERVER.COM APRIL 2015 58 B U Y I N G G R O U P N E W S RO NATIONWIDE TABLET PROGRAM CONTINUES TO THRIVE Nationwide Marketing Group led the industry with the announcement of a new tablet initiative called ANSWERS InfoPads in 2013. The program has seen immense growth over the past two years, and the group has just executed new product offerings for the ANSWERS InfoPads program, just in time to roll out a new and comprehensive selection at their just completed March PrimeTime! Show, held this year in Dallas, Texas. Nationwide's dealers have shown increased interest in smaller form factor tablets, and the group has responded, adding both the iPad Mini and a 7" Android offering in the past year. In order to round out the selection available to members, Nationwide also added the new iPad Air 2 from Apple, as well as a new 10" Android tablet to their lineup in 2015. This expanded assortment allows member retailers access to a full array of both iOS and Android tablets, in a variety of sizes. Nationwide exclusive vendor subsidies make ownership costs minimal for members, and this affordability has led to several thousand of the pre-loaded InfoPads to make their way into independent retail stores. Jeff Knock, EVP of Nationwide says, "This initiative continues to set our independents apart from competitors by arming them with the best tool available to involve customers during their shopping experience on a more advanced technological level. We are thrilled the number of tablets getting in the hands of our dealers is continually increasing as they prepare to capture available share in their marketplace." The preloaded InfoPads are loaded at PrimeMedia, Nationwide's Media Production Studio, with an array of assets that can assist retailers when interacting with consumers. These features include over 500 product video clips, many produced by and exclusive to Nationwide, as well as shortcuts to multiple price comparison tools, manufacturer websites and applications, and innovative price comparison platforms. Each ANSWERS InfoPad is also linked to Nationwide's Mobile- Optimized Learning Center, which is home to the industry's largest and most robust library of product, sales and management training available today. NATIONWIDE EAST ADDS TWO TERRITORY MANAGERS Nationwide East Monday announced a pair of territory manager appointments. Daryle Jarman is the company's new territory manager covering Eastern North Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia, while Jerry Cole has been named territory manager for Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Jarman is a veteran of DSI Distributing, while Cole has long represented independent retailers and accessory companies. "Jerry is a big asset to the Nationwide East members with his knowledge and understanding of Nationwide's programs and the member services we offer," Dean Hanby, vice president of Nationwide East, said in a statement. "Daryle's experience in the region is huge asset for us, he knows the market and the competition issues the dealers face."

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