Tom Hickman Named Nationwide Marketing Group’s President

Nationwide Marketing Group announced on the eve of the buying group’s biannual PrimeTime member conference in Orlando, Florida the promotion of Tom Hickman from merchandising executive vice president to the company’s president. “The move positions Nationwide for the ‘new era of retail’ and is in line with past leadership changes over a 20-year span, in which each appointment builds upon the last,” says former Nationwide President Dave Bilas. Hickman joined the buying group in 2012 following 16 years at Toshiba. Prior to that, he was part of the sales management team at BrandsMart U.S.A. and was introduced to the industry at Harbour Appliance & TV before that. “I’ve observed an amazing six years of growth for Nationwide’s members, vendors and team,” shares Hickman, noting that sales gains for the group’s independent appliance, electronics and home furnishings dealers continue “to outpace national chains and other independents.” Hickman assumes the reins of an $18.5 billion buying group with more than 5,300 member dealers and approximately 14,000 storefronts following its merger with Mega Group USA last fall.