RETAIL MEMBER FEATURES & BENEFITS

FREE Services

Premier Store Listing - This is a powerful marketing tool for retailers to promote traffic to their stores and is included as part of their SMART membership. To learn more about the features and benefits of this product, click here.

National Scrapbookers Trend Report - This vital tool is a must for every business in the scrapbooking industry. The 200+ page annual report is the most comprehensive of its kind in the industry. To learn more about this product, click here.

Education - The SMART Group is known for its influential and exciting buying group educational programs. These programs are held regionally and during the major industry trade shows.

Educational Downloads - SMART Group members have unlimited access to all current and archived educational materials online. In addition to downloads, more than 24 hours of classes and seminars are also available on CD and/or DVD and may be ordered at no charge to members.

The SMART Report - This bi-weekly e-newsletter is a valuable business resource for SMART members. In addition to highlighting many of The SMART Group’s member services, every issue is full of timely and insightful articles addressing the needs and concerns of the industry. Sometimes controversial, always informative; The SMART Report deals frankly with the important issues of the day.

The following services and discounts are available to members:

Buying Group Discounted Marketing Services

• E-Mail Broadcasting with iContact

• Marketing Postcards with Modern Postcards

• Marketing Videos with Avalanche Studios

• Store Signage with Storefront Promotions

• Marketing Inserts with ADVO

Discounted Operational Services

• Store Displays

• Lease Auditing - (More Information)

• Salesperson Evaluation

• Legal Services

• Photo Marketing Association Membership - (More Information)

• HR Services

Discounted Products

Manufacturer Discounts - Manufacturers in the group will offer one or more discount programs to retailer members. These discounts can be viewed by members only.

One manufacturer discount program available to members is a standard discount on products purchased. With this program the manufacturers determine the amount of the discount they will provide to the members as a group.

The preferred discount program and other services provided by SMART manufacturers are based on the five SMART principles that make up best practices between retailers and manufacturers. These five principals are:

1. Co-branding of retail display space;

2. individual performance-based volume rebates;

3. matching co-op funds to increase product and store awareness;

4. co-op ad books to improve advertising productivity; and

5. clearance center program to replace nonperforming products with performing products.