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19.
June
2017.
NMBS launches new Special Offers App

PRESS RELEASE
June 2017

NMBS launches new Special Offers App

NMBS has made it easier for its merchant members to embrace mobile technology to market their businesses.

The UK's leading buying society for independent builder's, plumbing and heating, timber and hardware merchants, has recently introduced a new Special Offers App.

As its name suggest, the new app enables users to quickly, easily and cost effectively communicate details of any special offers or promotions they might be running direct to their customers' smartphones and tablets.

The look of the new app is highly customisable and can be tailored to reflect the merchant member's own existing corporate branding. The new app is also incredibly easy to use, even for the less tech savvy.

Users can quickly and easily add information concerning their special offers to the app through a simple and intuitive interface which also features step-by-step instructions and prompts.

Once a promotion has been added, the merchant's customers who have downloaded the app onto their mobile devices will receive a push notification.

Customers can also set up further alerts to remind them when a promotion is coming to an end. These reminders can take the form of additional push notifications, calendar appointments or email or text alerts.

In addition, customers can use the app to create shopping lists and to send orders to the merchant either by email or via SMS.

The app can also provide customers with details of the merchant's nearest branch relative to their current location, its phone number and even directions on how to get there.

Being mobile based, the new NMBS Special Offer App offers significant cost savings compared to using traditional print methods to promote special offers. It is also much quicker to update and change than printed collateral.

Subscription to the new NMBS Special Offers App costs just £299 + VAT for an entire year. The merchants' customers meanwhile can use the NMBS Special Offer App for free and can quickly and easily download it from either the Apple App Store or from Google Play.

The new Special Offers App complements NMBS' existing Member Locator App which was launched in 2016. This app allows trade professionals and other users to search for the nearest branches of NMBS merchant members within a 99 mile radius of their current location or an entered postcode.

Commenting on the launch of the new NMBS Special Offers App, Dean Hayward, sales and marketing manager at NMBS, said: "As part of our commitment to strengthening independents, NMBS aims to support and add value to our members in as wide range of areas as possible.

"The launch of the new NMBS Special Offer App reflects that.

"It enables our members to embrace the latest technology to promote their business and to enhance their profitability and success - and all without committing to the investment required to develop an app of their own."

- ENDS -

Images:

NMBS Special Offer App 3.jpg

Caption:
Mobile marketing.As part of its commitment to ‘Strengthening Independents', NMBS has launched a new app which enables its members to communicate details of any special offers or promotions they might be running direct to their customers' mobile devices.

For more information on this story, contact Wayne Leith atwayne@tpz.uk.com

Notes to editors:

  • NMBS (National Merchants Buying Society) is the UK's largest buying group for independent builder's, plumbing and heating, timber and hardware merchants.

  • Since its formation over 50 years ago in 1963, NMBS has continued to grow and evolve. Today it represents more 1000 merchant members and enjoys collective buying power in excess of £1.5BN. It uses this buying power to negotiate favourable prices and terms for members from over 600 brand leading, building industry suppliers.

  • Collectively, NMBS members operate more than 3000 branches nationwide and achieve annual sales of £7BN. This equates to approximately 40% of the value of the entire merchanting sector.

  • Further value-adding services offered by NMBS include credit insurance, marketing support and access to a dedicated and secure portal known as the ‘Report Centre'. This enables members and suppliers to deal with many day-to-day transactional requirements online, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

  • NMBS also stages regular networking, knowledge sharing and trading events that bring together both its members and suppliers. These events include the NMBS Golf Day, the NMBS Gala Dinner, the NMBS Dinner Dance, the NMBS All-Industry Conference and the NMBS Exhibition.

  • As part of its commitment to ‘Strengthening Independents', NMBS not only delivers services and events to enhance the profitability and success of its members but also acts as a voice and as a champion for the independent merchanting sector.