Retail Industry Bodies POPAI and A.R.E. to Merge

The Boards of retail industry bodies POPAI (Point of Purchase Advertising International) and the Association for Retail Environments (A.R.E.) have voted in favour of a merger, aiming to provide better service for members.

POPAI, established in 1936, is a not-for-profit association for the in-store marketing industry, whose membership consists of retailers, CPGs, brand agencies, producers and educators who are committed to relevant shopper marketing research and education. A.R.E., established in 1956 as the National Association of Store Fixture Manufacturers (NASFM), is the trade association representing the retail environments industry, with members including retail design firms and suppliers of store fixtures, visual merchandising products, materials, equipment and services.

The two associations will combine under a new name, with bases in Chicago and Hollywood. A search has already begun to find a new CEO for the new combined association, and current A.R.E. Executive Director Todd Dittman will become its COO.

According to POPAI Chairman Michelle Adams, who is also the founder of Marketing Brainology, members of the two organizations have much in common, and the entire industry will benefit from the merger. A.R.E.'s elected President Bob Rosean of TJ Hale added: 'This is a true unification of equals. These two venerable associations bring complementary strengths to the table.'

Web sites: www.popai.com and www.retailenvironments.org .

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.