Retail Observer

RETAILOBSERVER.COM OCTOBER 2017 54 B U Y I N G G R O U P N E W S T he partnership between Nationwide Marketing Group and Nest Labs, announced just prior to the group's PrimeTime Member Conference and Buying Show in March, has gained immense traction as the year has progressed, lending great momentum for the approaching PrimeTime in Las Vegas. Through the partnership, Nationwide's 3,500 dealers across North America can now provide customers with Nest and Works with Nest products. The excitement surrounding this partnership is based on Nationwide members being able to sell Nest and Works with Nest products by leveraging Nationwide's exclusive eXchange CE buying portal for immediate access to inventory through the vast network of eXchange distributors. "The engagement level among Nationwide members with Nest has been impressive," shared Nationwide SVP of Distribution Dean Sottile. "Offering consumers, the right products around the connected home has never been more important, and our members have found the perfect partner in Nest to expand their presence in this ever-growing space." Nest and Works with Nest products are a perfect complement to Nationwide's Connected Home kiosk, especially given the enhancements debuted earlier this year, and available to Nationwide members at PrimeTime. To date, many of these innovative kiosks have been deployed by dealers, and have shown promising results as more and more independent retailers establish a presence in the connected home space. Nationwide Senior Exec Tom Hickman shared insight into the fast and growing success of the partnership, stating, "Nationwide members understand the growth potential as more and more of their customers seek connected home solutions, and our partnership with Nest gives them an entry point with the most advanced and consumer favored lineup in the business! We expect tremendous growth as Nest and Works with Nest products continue to gain momentum, and the eXchange provides ready-access to inventory for dealers who are finding success in this growing category." "As connected home products begin to enter the mainstream, customers are trying to understand the options and find the right solutions for their specific needs," said Gene LaNois, Head of professional channel for Nest. "Nest's relationship with Nationwide members will help consumers find answers to these questions and access to products in their local market, with the confidence that comes from a complete installation. Nationwide members like Mrs. G's and others provide another level of customer experience for Nest and the Works with Nest product portfolio." Nationwide member Mrs. G's, a progressive dealer based in Central New Jersey, recently launched both the Connected Home Kiosk and an assortment of Nest and Works with Nest products. Debbie Schaefer, CEO of Mrs. G's, explained her company's decision to add Nest, saying, "IoT has expanded into the appliance market, and smart home connectivity is becoming a priority for home owners who want products with remote control, voice activation, and energy use management. As a member of NMG, I am proud that we can now offer appliances with Nest and Works with Nest products to our customers. Mrs. G's motto is "Life Better", and as the members of our knowledgeable Mrs. G Sales team become experts on the products and installation requirements with training tools provided by NMG, they will be able to educate the customer and offer a one-stop shopping experience to integrate the new technology into their lives. We feel we are ahead of the smart home retail curve and could not have done it without the help of Nationwide Marketing Group." Nationwide looks to grow this partnership with Nest by continuing to feature Nest products prominently on the group's eXchange buying portal, looking for new ways to innovate and improve the group's exclusive Connected Home kiosk, and providing members with advanced multi-media and training assets to aid their success. Hank Alexander, director of HTSN, Nationwide's CI subgroup said, "Nest and the whole Works with Nest family of products are the gateway to Nationwide dealers selling deeper connected home solutions like those from Control 4 and Elan. It's proven — once a consumer gets started on building their connected home, they come back again and again. All Nationwide members need to sign up as Nest ProTailers as they continue to lead innovation in our industry." Nest will attend Nationwide PrimeTime this August in Las Vegas, where Nationwide will debut the first-ever connected home on the PrimeTime show floor. Nationwide expects the interactive home to be a highlight for members in attendance, and that it will help illustrate the real possibilities in the connected home space of independent dealers. Registration for PrimeTime, the industry's largest trade show for independents, is open at www.nationwideprimetime.com. Please visit www.nationwidegroup.org for more information. RO NATIONWIDE AND NEST GROW SUCCESS IN INDUSTRY-FIRST PARTNERSHIP Scores of dealers add Nest and Works with Nest products

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