Event Marketing & Demonstration Service Division Corner

The 2004 Spring Conference gave members an opportunity to identify and Kit Moss focus on the common issues we are all Service Division facing in this industry. It is encouraging Chair hearing from agency owners who are concerned about their future and willing to work together to make a difference. Their concerns, suggestions and ideas help the Event Marketing & Demonstration Committee devote time and resources to addressing the problems and issues that affect all members.
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Merchandising Services Service Division Corner

On behalf of the Merchandising Service Division committee, we hope you had time to catch your breath since our recent Atlanta meeting. We trust the conference offered you and your associates the opportunity to grow in knowledge and to build future networking opportunities.
Like you, I have been running ever since I got back, with local opportunities and industry association events. It seems we all have so much we would like to say about our association, but never enough time to express ourselves to all the opportunities.
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Trade Relations & Partnership News

NARMS continues to work with a number of trade groups with the primary goal of promoting our Industry. Additionally, through our trade relations efforts we also are trying to provide our members with various business opportunities through aggressive discounts on trade press advertising and through attendance at trade shows by both NARMS and our members.
GMDC
The GMDC General Merchandise Marketing Conference just finished last month. NARMS had 29 companies represented at this marketing conference. The members had a table in a special section at the conference called the Service Solutions Forum. Throughout the four day event our members had opportunities to meet with GM manufacturers. Although not as successful at last fall¹s meeting with the HBC manufacturers, for a first time event it was a good start. It will take more time to explain our service offerings to the GM manufacturing community. Speaking of the GMDC HBC Marketing Conference ,the registration process is now open for the September 10-14, 2004 meeting in Scottsdale, Arizona. Last fall 32 of our members averaged over 20 appointments with HBC manufacturers while attending the conference. Call GMDC or NARMS national office for more details about attending.
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Protect Your Privacy When Sharing A Computer

If you share your machine with others such as co-workers or family members, you should take precautions to ensure that your information stays private. Use removable disks to store sensitive files so no one else can access them.
Empty the recycling bin after you delete files. See if your computer or virus-scanning program has an option to completely erase files.
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Willard Bishop Consulting Store Format Report

The Store Format Report is a cross section of retailers expanding and/or adding consumable products to their shelves. Willard Bishop Consulting has updated and expanded the number of store formats and redefined the retail market for grocery and consumable products. Sales in the expanded market in 2003 amounted to 3/4’s of a trillion dollars and are projected at almost one trillion dollars for 2008.
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CURSED

In June of 2000, after months of wrangling in a tug-or-war with American Home Products (Wyeth), Pfizer bought Warner Lambert. Pfizer peaked in July of 2000 and John Elwood has been lower ever since (4 years). Recently, May Department Stores bought Marshall Fields in a bidding war with Federated Department Stores at what was called a “stunning” $3.25 billion price. Anheuser Busch and SAB Miller aggressively competed for the Harbin Brewery in China. BUD won the battle.
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The NARMS Member Web Store Update

In the March 2004 issue of The Retail Merchandiser we announced the addition of the NARMS Member Web Store, which offers promotional products and services at special NARMS member pricing. The Web Store is hosted by The Jolesch Group and conveniently accessible through the NARMS homepage or at www.narms.com/store.html
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Email Techniques

Today, we¹ll look at two useful email techniques for managing the distribution of the NARMS Newsfeed to key personal in your company as well as building some rules that help sort through all the profiles you received from The Recruiter at NARMS.com. If you have an IT department in your company, chances are they can build some scripts on the server to help distribute and maintain this email.
But you can achieve the same effect by using a popular mail client like Outlook Express or Eudora. While there are some differences among mail clients when it comes to building mail handling rules and distribution lists, the process is generally pretty much the same.
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NARMS Offers Discount Program

Do you often rent cars when traveling? Would you like to be able to save money in the rental process?
If you answered “yes” to both questions, visit the Resource Center on the NARMS website. Click on Discount Programs for NARMS Members. You will be taken to a page with the Avis logo and a link to the Avis website announcing the exclusive benefits for NARMS members. You can make car rental reservations at special rates.

NARMS is working with other companies to provide you with discount purchase programs for product and services that will assist you in the operation of your businesses.

NARMS Brings in Human Resources Legal Expert

Some of the Human Resources Hotline questions are complicated legal issues. Attorney Linda J. Niedweske of Niedweske Barber, P.C. has agreed to be our Legal Human Resources Expert. Attorney Tom Tucci from Fabyanski Law will continue to answer our Legal Hotline. Tom has the experience and expertise in the retail merchandising industry. Located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Tom has been an avid supporter of the retail merchandising industry and NARMS.
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