Nationwide Marketing Group Launches Chatterbox Live Chat Platform

Furniture World News Desk on 8/10/2021

Consumers’ shopping habits have changed dramatically during the past year, with more shoppers researching and buying online today than ever before. In fact, more than half of all shoppers now prefer to chat virtually with a store representative rather than calling to ask questions about a product. And Nationwide Marketing Group is helping its independent retailers adjust to this shift with the launch of its all-new Chatterbox live chat platform.

“Chatterbox live chat is designed to help retailers transform shoppers into customers using real-time digital conversations,” explains Jennifer Danko, senior vice president of omnichannel technology for Nationwide Marketing Group. “Retailers using Chatterbox can engage with their customers through website chat, SMS and video chat, and they’re also able to seamlessly transition any of these online interactions to a phone call. This flexible approach lets retailers meet their customers wherever they are in the shopper journey and, ultimately, close more sales from online leads.”

Designed to complement Nationwide’s proprietary suite of digital tools, Chatterbox is the only live chat solution available today that integrates fully with websites built by Nationwide partners Site on Time and Retailer Web Services (RWS). As such, retailers that sign up for Chatterbox will enjoy automatic installation on their website, as well as a single point of contact for all billing and customer service needs.

In addition, Chatterbox customers will receive:

• Simplified pricing that includes unlimited customer interactions across web chat, SMS and video
• Per-location subscriptions, with an unlimited number of users allowed per location
• Free customization features
• A robust dashboard for performance optimization
• Onboarding support
• Ongoing best practices to maximize sales

“In the past, we referred our members to ‘free’ chat service providers because we knew how important chat is to a retailer’s digital strategy,” explains Aaron Bundschuh, chief digital and technology officer for Nationwide. “But then we started hearing stories of extra charges and fees when a member used the tool too frequently or wanted to add more employees to the platform, and we knew there had to be a better way. That’s why we created Chatterbox, a chat solution designed specifically for the independent retail channel. And we’re excited about continuing to evolve Chatterbox over the coming months to bring even more retail-specific, value-added features to our members.”

Nationwide will demo Chatterbox at PrimeTime, which will be held Aug. 15-18 in Nashville. And retailers who sign up for Chatterbox at the show will be eligible for a special promotion, including free setup and a rebate valued at $900 in savings.

To learn more, Nationwide members should contact their Member Support Manager (MSM) or Site on Time / RWS account representative.

About Nationwide Marketing Group

Nationwide Marketing Group works on behalf of thousands of independent appliance, furniture, bedding, electronics, specialty electronics, custom installation and rent-to-own dealers helping them grow their businesses and thrive on their own terms. With more than 5,000 members operating some 14,000 storefronts, Nationwide Marketing Group is the largest buying, marketing and business support organization of its kind, representing billions in combined annual sales across the membership. For 50 years, the organization has remained committed to the independent channel, empowering members with the scale, sophistication and efficiencies they need to compete while delivering the unmatched business intelligence, tools and resources required to win in an ever-changing business environment. To learn more, visit nationwidegroup.org.