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comprise 72% of the U.S. population – and half of them reside in the
largest metro areas in the country. Riddle says he's seeing an increased
demand for lower-end appliances in those regions, with more
consumers seeking alternatives to big box store offerings. He believes
this opens new opportunities for vendor partnerships and regional
alliances among NATM members to capture that business.
"Big box stores aren't committed to the industries our members
represent, and their diversity is starting to have a negative impact on
their profits – especially in the consumer sectors our members serve,"
said Riddle. "I see NATM as a national account-size operation in the
major appliance, TV, CE, furniture, and bedding arenas that can
capitalize on that. With enhanced collaboration and more outreach to
OEMs by our members, we will be able to offer specialized programs
for our vendors and more comprehensive analytics to fill in the gaps to
grow organically together."
Established in 1970, National Alliance Trade Merchants (NATM) is a
preeminent national buying co-op that encompasses 10 regional
retailers within the appliance and electronics sector. The organization
orchestrates member buying and merchandising strategies while
fostering an arena for the interchange of ideas. By harmonizing these
strategies, NATM not only optimizes value and profitability for its
members but also delves into uncharted market prospects.
