In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, many states, counties and cities have put in place orders and directives to shelter in place, stay at home, and other related procedures to minimize the movement and interaction of the general public, promote social distancing, and slow the spread of the virus. In the majority of these areas, these orders have also included the closure of businesses deemed non-essential.

It is the position of Nationwide Marketing Group that many of our Members are essential businesses, and as such, we are actively advocating on behalf of those businesses with government leaders. Nationwide’s Leadership Team has contacted the Governor, as well as legislative leaders in each state currently impacted by these orders urging these key officials to clearly designate and continue to recognize these businesses as essential to the community, and as such, to allow them to remain open. We’ve also reached out to the same officials for states currently not impacted by said orders in a proactive manner, urging them to consider these businesses as essential should such orders become necessary in their states.

In the letter from Nationwide’s leadership, we lay out, in detail, why many of those we serve should be declared essential. You’ll find the detailed explanation for each category laid out clearly in these letters, accessible for each state. Among those we believe to be essential are:

• Major Appliance Dealers and Servicers
• Furniture Retailers who offer Home Office products
• Bedding Retailers who offer Adjustable Bases

We’ve also dispatched a letter to the Chairman of the National Governors Association, the Honorable Larry Hogan and the President of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the Honorable Bryan Barnett as well as to the Governors of each state imploring them to consider executive action to implement a formal commercial rent abatement program for retailers. We recognize the drastic impact the COVID-19 crisis has caused related to your cashflow. We believe it requires strong and decisive action from government leaders to provide short-term relief while the recent relief legislation passed by Congress is fleshed out with procedural guidance for implementation. We further realize that it could take, in some cases, weeks before the relief provided by these recent passages will enter the economy and give real and substantive cashflow support for your business.

We believe the logic offered in all of these communications is compelling and will make a difference in how our officials view these categories and the businesses serving consumers with these very important products. However, it will take the efforts of many to achieve fast and impactful results. Below, you’ll find a link to download a template that can serve as a starting point for you to join us in this effort. You can easily customize the letter for the officials you wish to contact to advocate for your business and the channel. At this link, you’ll find a list of the key officials we contacted, and we encourage you to add your local mayor, city council, or any other governing body who you feel can impact these decisions.

If you need assistance or have questions regarding this initiative, please contact Mike Whitaker via email (mike@nationwideprimemedia.com) or by phone (678.306.4079).

Template Letters For Dealers

Essential Business Status Templates

• Appliance Store Template Letter (Word doc)
• Bedding Store Template Letter (Word doc)
• Furniture & Bedding Store Template Letter (Word doc)

Rent Abatement Program Templates

• Commercial Landlord Rent Abatement Request Template — Essential Business Status (Word doc)
• Commercial Landlord Rent Abatement Request Template — Non-Essential Business (Word doc)
• Commercial Landlord Rent Abatement Request Template — Not Under Essential Business Protocol (Word doc)
• Nationwide Letter to National Governors Association (PDF)

Nationwide Letters to Governors