NLDA Associates Inc Information

The NLDA was formed more than 75 years ago, by a forward thinking group of individual and independent luggage dealers. The purpose of the organization was to improve the buying power of the many stores it represented, giving the individual store owners the ability to compete with larger companies and department stores. Many of the founding members continue to be represented today by family members. The NLDA was formed to operate as a volunteer buying organization. It has been reaffirmed year after year and continues to operate in that manner. The owners felt that they knew best what merchandise was appropriate for their stores. Committees were formed with members from different parts of the country, to create as diverse a group as possible. Each used their particular expertise in contributing to the committees. As this was a volunteer organization made up of full time business owners, a support organization was formed. An Executive Administrator and staff were hired to meet the needs of the NLDA. The business office operated out of New York until 1996, when it moved to Glenview, IL., a suburb of Chicago. The NLDA has made advertising on a large scale more accessible to it's membership. A high quality holiday catalog, a spring sale flyer and additional optional supplements have greatly decreased the expense for NLDA members. Other avenues that have been sponsored are store fixtures, TV spots, merchandise fixtures and sign kits. Advertising has become a big asset and will continue to develop with the needs of the membership. A diverse group of members with individual interests, talents and leadership skills make the NLDA a unique organization striving to help it's members remain competitive in the world of retail.