New independent rep organization stresses importance of buying from local reps

HIGH POINT — As part of a new collaborative effort among independent rep agencies called “Reps Are Local Too,” the International Home Furnishings Representatives Association is sharing that group’s message with all its members.

Launched this summer in response to a changing retail landscape and spearheaded by Angela Schmook, vice president of operations at  Road Runners LLC, and Kelly P. Bristol, vice president of business development at Just Got 2 Have It!, Reps Are Local Too, was formed to underscore and emphasize the importance of ordering from local sales reps within the retail sector.

When it launched in June, the group consisted of some 25 rep agencies nationwide, all joining together to support and champion local businesses.

Since that time, the number of rep agencies participating has ballooned to 54 firms, according to the group’s website.  

Key to the initiative, according to the founders, is encouraging retailers to foster partnerships with representatives who intimately understand the unique needs and dynamics of their local market.

The group maintains that, by ordering from local reps, retailers can not only learn more about the products they bring to their customers, but also cultivate enduring relationships that contribute to the vitality of their stores and their communities.

Schmook noted, “In the spirit of the ‘Shop Local’ Movement, ‘Reps are Local Too’ underscores the importance of retailers collaborating with their local representatives. Reps are the lifeline of their communities, working diligently to fill stores with new products and helping create local revenue so that every Main Street may thrive.”

Bristol added, “This movement transcends individual interests, bringing together rep agencies from across the country in an unprecedented, shared commitment to remind retailers to prioritize business relationships built on trust and extensive expertise that can’t be found anywhere else.”

Steve Allegrezza, executive director, observed, “Just like Reps Are Local Too, IHFRA is deeply committed to keeping independent sales professionals relevant, essential and involved in the industry’s evolving landscape.”

 He added that IHFRA’s core pillars — Empower, Support and Advocate — are the cornerstones upon which IHFRA has built its community and initiatives.

“We strive to empower our members with networking opportunities, support them with exclusive benefits and resources, and advocate for their interests by sharing industry trends and lobbying on their behalf,” Allegrezza said, adding, “By collaborating with Reps Are Local Too, we can further our shared goals of maintaining the prominence of independent sales representatives and ensuring they are never removed from the equation.”

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