Nationwide Marketing Group Confirms Acquisition of the Canadian Company Cantrex and Appoints Jeannine Ghaleb to lead Cantrex Nationwide

Groups' Unmatched Scale Brings Enhanced Support, Increased Services and Greater Efficiencies to Members and Vendors Alike

WINSTON-SALEM, NC, May 31, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - Nationwide Marketing Group, a 40-year-old organization comprised of some 3000 independent appliance electronics and furniture dealers in the United Sates, has acquired Cantrex Group Inc, a company that has been conducting business in Canada for over fifty years.  The combined entity will be the largest Buying and Marketing group of its kind in North America now comprised of over 4000 independent retail establishments fielding some 9 000 storefronts with retail sales approaching $14 billion. The company will conduct operations in Canada as Cantrex Nationwide.

According to Nationwide Marketing Group president and CEO Robert Weisner, "Nationwide is always trying to increase our scale and improve our efficiencies. Joining forces with Canada's leading group means increased influence, greater buying power and enhanced resources for every Nationwide member. The current Cantrex management and member support staff will remain in place operating as an independent division focused on the unique characteristics and language requirements of the Canadian marketplace. We look forward to providing them with additional tools and resources to help Cantrex Nationwide members buy better, sell smarter and compete tougher."

Nationwide's COO Les Kirk added, "Over the past 40 years Nationwide Marketing Group has developed a portfolio of purchasing, advertising, training, financial, web-design and merchandising programs and services that have helped our membership actually increase market share during the past decade while other U.S. independents, as a group, have seen their shares decline."

On behalf of Nationwide Marketing Group, Les Kirk is pleased to announce that their Board of Directors has approved the appointment of Jeannine Ghaleb as Chief Operating Officer of Cantrex Nationwide.  Mr. Kirk noted that with more than 17 years of experience in senior leadership roles, 11 years of which were with Cantrex, Jeannine Ghaleb is the ideal candidate to lead their Canadian entity.  Over the years, Mrs. Ghaleb has acquired in-depth knowledge in the areas of strategic planning, pricing, negotiations, mergers & acquisitions, marketing as well as both human and business development. For a complete biography, please refer to the Appointment Notice.

Robert Weisner echoed "We are very excited about working with Jeannine and her team.  We are confident the leadership team is in an excellent position to maintain and grow the services offered to the Cantrex membership for years to come."

Jeannine Ghaleb stated, "We are pleased to be joining with the Nationwide team and being able to make use of resources that can help us take our members to next level. Cantrex began as an entrepreneurial company serving entrepreneurs more than 50 years ago and we feel this spirit is reflected in Nationwide's roots too. Our goal is to support our members with the power to succeed and we are in a great position to deliver on that promise."

For Cantrex Nationwide's members, staff, and vendors, operations will continue pretty much as usual except for the addition of a wide variety of new member services and benefits that will be phased in during the coming months.

Source: Cantrex Nationwide

Information
Laird Greenshields
Morin Public Relations
514 393-3252
Cell: 514 464-3252
[email protected]