Publisher

Conceived in 1995, the National Association for Merchandising Services (NARMS) was formally organized in 1996 with 40 merchandising service company (MSO) members. The association was headquartered in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. The official website, www.narms.com was launched in August 1996. The Recruiter debuted in 2002 providing members two recruitment areas on the NARMS website; The Recruiter and the JobBank. In 2003 the Field Marketing Services Association (FMSA), representing in-store promotions and demonstration companies, merged with NARMS and the association changed its name to the National Association for Retail Marketing Services (NARMS) to become the only legal forum to bring together all facets of the retail services industry - retailer, manufacturer, and retail service company — to network, and discuss common issues and common solutions. Independent Food Brokers of America (IFBA) joined NARMS in 2004. Membership has continued to grow over the years and includes: merchandising service organizations event marketing, mystery shopping and demonstration companies professional installation companies independent food brokers and non-food brokers consumer goods manufacturers retailers distributors and wholesalers and support service members During 2012, the Board of Directors and the leadership team worked on a number of initiatives to broaden the presence and credibility of the association. The single largest task was to develop well-rounded branding and marketing strategy that would resonate with our members, retailers, manufacturer partners and the trade media. The challenge was met and on February 1, 2013, NARMS officially changed to (dba) World Alliance for Retail Excellence & Standards. The association promotes and establishes industry standards and provides critical industry research and educational information about the industry with member companies servicing such classes of trade as: grocery, drug, mass, dollar, natural/organic, department, automotive, hardware, home & building centers, computer and office supply, electronic, value retailers, specialty and convenience retailers.