Membership Benefits
BUYING POWER
Take advantage of discounts and rebates on product purchases from over 200 different juvenile product manufacturers. In addition, NINFRA buying power enables organization members to participate in opportunistic purchases of container loads of product at substantial savings By combining the purchasing power of over 100 juvenile products retailers, our members are able to better compete in their market areas and obtain the products they need to sustain profitable growth now and for the future.
EXCLUSIVE PRODUCTS
Eliminate competitive pressures in your market area by stocking a select group of products made exclusively for NINFRA or juvenile products specialty stores.
ADVERTISING
We have found that the most cost effective and direct method of reaching the target market is through distribution of our exclusive and professional full color catalog. Nearly one million catalogs are printed annually with customized cover providing your store name/logo and personalized message on the back cover. Our four buying committees combine the strengths of small and large stores alike and provide a cross section of markets throughout the country in order to bring our members the very best in unique products to be featured in our annual catalog.
DIRECT MAIL
We also offer our members for a nominal charge, participation in direct mail advertising. About 60% of the one million catalogs printed are mailed directly to expectant parents in the zip code areas that you specify. Other direct mail services are also available.
COMMUNICATION
An Annual Members Meeting, held each year, provides our members with the opportunity to interact with each other, solve common problems together, and identify market opportunities. Generally one or more highly qualified speakers are invited to discuss future consumer or industry trends or cost saving opportunities ranging from inventory/overhead control to advertising or from sales incentives to personnel management. Breakout sessions allow for one on one communication with other NINFRA members to learn about solving common problems facing their businesses and sharing experiences together that will generate profitable future growth. At a 2-day trade show held during the Annual Meeting, over 100 select juvenile product manufacturers exhibit mostly new and specialty store only product. Many offer additional savings during the event. The show provides members with the opportunity to meet individually with the principal owners or representatives of the suppliers with whom most of the members do business in a relaxed and informal environment
MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
Monthly newsletters are faxed to members to keep them abreast of the latest in industry events, product recalls, promotional opportunities or closeout specials, member activities and the communication of important information members need to know in order to run their businesses more efficiently. The newsletter also serves as a communication vehicle for our members to dispose of surplus products, obtain products requested, and to obtain information on the latest selling trends.
FREIGHT MANAGEMENT
NINFRA retains a freight management company at no additional cost, which is available to all members in order to obtain product at the least possible cost with minimal damage. The service also tracks shipments and can file freight claims with the carriers as needed on your behalf.
BABY EXPRESS WEBSITE
NINFRA members receive a free listing on the very popular NINFRA/Baby Express website as well as a link to their existing website. For an additional fee, NINFRA members can also participate in the new online store. Extensive online store options allow you to tailor the site to represent your in-store offerings. Reports will be available to you to help you manage your online sales and allow you to add or delete items as necessary. NINFRA maintains an independent web master and website administrator in order to make sure that the site functions as designed and is available to members as needed.
NHFA AFFILIATION
NINFRA is also a member of National Home Furnishings Association (NHFA) and, as a result, our member stores can join NHFA for a small fee and take advantage of even more member benefits, including low rates on charge card processing, a private label credit card program, same as cash financing, workers compensation insurance, government representation, business supply purchases, utilizing the NHFA educational library and much, much more.
OTHER BENEFITS
Membership in NINFRA also provides you with a host of other benefits. Some include: Purchase of retail store bags and other in-store packaging material displaying your store name/logo at reduced rates; and discounts on rental cars, hotel accommodations and air travel in conjunction with NINFRA sponsored events.
If you feel that you meet the requirements and would like to join our growing and vibrant organization, please download the Membership Application.