Minnesota-based retail sales and marketing agency Select Sales Inc. announced a merger with Bentonville Merchants, a northwest Arkansas sales agency calling on Walmart’s and Sam’s retail brands.
The combined company will continue to do business under the names of each of the privately held companies.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
In a news release, Select Sales said it expects the merger will create new jobs and additional growth opportunities.
"Most agencies in our industry are fundamentally regional and cannot offer their clients a one-stop ability to call on a range of top-tier retailers such as Target, Best Buy, Walmart and Sam’s," said Tom Derouin, president of Select Sales, said in the release. "Our experience is that sales and marketing teams must have the people and offices in the markets where the retailers are headquartered."
Cody Tedford, founder and partner at Bentonville Merchant, said the combined company will be able to provided clients with better data, more effective marketing, quicker insights and stronger supply chains.
"This new partnership provides the perfect platform for these businesses to accelerate their growth while adding value to the retailers," he said. "We work daily with the teams at Walmart.com, Walmart Stores and Sam’s Club; we’re confident this merger supports their vision of helping people save money and live better lives."
Select Sales said the deal with Bentonville Merchants is its second "strategic transaction" this year. In January, the company announced the acquisition of Vertical Rail, a California-based digital advertising and marketing agency. The acquisition improved Select Sales’ ability to advertise its partners' products at key retailers, as well as within the company's Amazon division.
