Retail Observer

RETAILOBSERVER.COM OCTOBER 2019 58 B U Y I N G G R O U P N E W S N ationwide Marketing Group pulled out all the stops to help thousands of attendees "Connect for Success" during the 55th PrimeTime conference and tradeshow in New Orleans on August 17-20. Renowned as North America's largest networking opportunity for independent retailers, service providers and manufacturers in the major appliance, consumer electronics, furniture, bedding, home theater and outdoor industries, Nationwide's semi-annual event has become the premier place to make and strengthen personal connections, tap into the latest industry insights and education, connect with game-changing group services, and capitalize on show-exclusive deals and cashback offers. Tom Hickman, chief member advocate and president of Nationwide Marketing Group, says that PrimeTime is also his team's opportunity to provide members with a progress report on initiatives and a transparent look at real business results. "We're a member-focused, performance-driven organization," Hickman said. "That means we walk our talk, and everything we do must provide measurable value to the thousands of independent business owners who choose to partner with us — period. As their business partner, it's our job to keep them one step ahead in this ever-changing retail environment, and to constantly innovate in order to improve their individual business results." It was those improved business results that took center stage during the PrimeTime kickoff event as Hickman and team delivered an in-depth progress report to a packed ballroom at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. "You've heard a lot over the past two years about the significant investments we've been making in digital, education and the in-store experience," Hickman shared. "And now it's time to hear how those investments are being used to drive your business — and your bottom line." He went on to explain how the group's investments align with today's customer purchase journey – a journey that includes 94% of customers tapping into online research, and Nationwide's ongoing commitment to ensuring that their members are consistently seen online by the right customers at the right time with the right offers. As a result: • The group has continued to invest heavily in providing digital rewards to members who have joined the group's digital platform. In addition to a best-in-class website experience, the platform provides an always-on, measurable digital advertising strategy and takes all the hard work out of managing a store's online reputation. • Participating members have collectively reported more than 1,000,000 website conversions in the last year, including 325,000 online orders and quote requests, 200,000 GPS navigations to members' stores and 520,000 phone calls. NATIONWIDE MEMBERS CONNECT FOR SUCCESS 55th PrimeTime conference held in New Orleans

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