NARMS Putting Merchandising at the Center for Retailing Excellence

Okay, my title is a play on words and a tip of the cap to the news this week that NARMS International has become a charter member of the Retail Advisory Board of the Center for Retailing Excellence at the University of Wisconsin – Madison. But we shouldn’t lose sight of the fact that this is a golden opportunity to give our association a seat at the table to promote the use of our members for at-retail merchandising and marketing activities, dispense information on the importance of merchandising activities and advocate a source of retail jobs and potential careers for our customers, both retailer and manufacturer, and our members.

This new and exciting affiliation opens up a world of possibilities between a world class academic institution such as the University of Wisconsin, right down the road from NARMS headquarters in Madison, and the retail industry which has lined up in tremendous support and leadership in this newly formed center. Guest lecturers, campus recruiting and student field trips are just a few of the activities that come to mind. Kohl’s Department Stores has taken the lead in the formation of the center and will enjoy the naming rights, but listen to the rest of the charter corporate members: Shopko, Target, AT & T, Blain’s Farm and Fleet, Bon Ton, Bridgestone/Firestone, Christopher and Banks, Crate and Barrel, Duluth Trading, Diamond Center, Hy-Vee, Land’s End, Macy’s, Maurices, Roundy’s, Sears Holdings, Trek Bicycle and Walgreens have all taken the lead and realize the value of creating a place of learning, sharing and networking for the future of our industry.

When we think of academics, we often think of cutting edge research that changes the way we live, think, work and act. The research potential of this new alliance is staggering and the chance to share the work of the NARMS InfoShare series (such as the recently release MSO Benchmarks and Value of Working with NARMS Members), other outside resources such as the ISI Sharegroup, future expanded trade association participation and manufacturer and retailer data has the potential to create a powerful environment. A place in which we not only produce work that helps us now, but also future executives and leaders and thinkers that represent the future.

Because we are a leading source of retail jobs through the Recruiter, JobBank, and Career Connection, this affiliation provides an outlet to not only enhance the marketability of those jobs and careers, but to actually play a role in nurturing those who would fill them, now and in the future.

World class universities, trade associations and responsible corporate citizens should be leaders when it comes to the overall betterment of society, the economy and the environment in which we live and work. NARMS International is proud to take the lead in bringing a trade association to this table of leaders and looks forward to going down the path with them.