History

Select Media Services, LLC (SMS), a Jim Pattison Group company (JPG), was formally incorporated in 1997 but was initially formed in 1994 as the Specialty Retail division within The News Group (TNG). The specialty retail division was borne out of a 1993 business arrangement with The Home Depot (THD). THD agreed to test magazines in 2 of their Atlanta area stores, and pleased with the results, approved a rollout of the 65 stores in the Southeast region of the US.

Magazines were added to the home improvement product mix at these stores and were displayed on mainline fixtures and in pockets at the checkouts. Products were shipped via small package carrier as opposed to company owned truck delivery, which was the standard in the traditional magazine wholesale business. Additionally, service representatives were sent to the stores to merchandise the product and process returns.

The Home Depot was so impressed with the outcome that SMS was also awarded their book business, which had been supplied on a direct basis from the book publishers. SMS began designing fixtures for books and magazines to create an idea & information center. In addition to this mainline area, SMS developed a cross-merchandising program to display publications in specific departments, conveniently located near related products.

During the years following incorporation, SMS was awarded additional divisions from THD, propelling SMS to the national level. Revolutionary formatting and a national infrastructure became the foundation for a strong business and inevitable growth.

Based out of Atlanta, Georgia, SMS currently provides distribution services for book and magazine publishers to thousands of specialty retailers throughout the United States (including Puerto Rico). SMS has expertise in logistics, in-store service, visual merchandising, category management and customer service.

SMS demonstrates continued growth through expanding partnerships with national retailers in diverse markets. SMS prides itself on the successful development of loyal business partnerships with major customers such as: The Home Depot, Staples, AC Moore, CompUSA, Movie Gallery, Hobby Lobby, Office Max, Dick’s Sporting Goods and Linens-n-Things. In the spirit of continuous improvement, SMS supplies the most innovative and unbiased programs to specialty retailers throughout the nation.

Distribution centers located in Georgia, Oklahoma and California provide more efficient, cost-effective service and shorter lead times throughout the US.