Hardwore - Housew dres: '71 t^ -.- -uterized hardware supply aids dealers LOmp

fiVER the years, the suppliers of ware of Long Beach, Calif., for ex- and with the aid of a computer, v hardware and housewares to the ample, has a merchandising plan that printing labeling tickets and price retail lumber and huilding materials incltrdes displavs, inventory eontrol tags. merchant have evolved and changed

The labeling ticket is a unique unit asmuchastheyardsthey5grvg.foreachitemgivingsuchinforma-|

Asthelumberyardhasincreasing- ?r_ _ -a /^t _-__ tionasthesaleshistoryof theitem, ly become the accepted ,our"" f* )fofy OJ A fgfGfnGg an ordering number u.rd u *urr,rfu"all the goodies that go into the home, Hardware-houseware suppliers ,,tti"g, description for identification. the hardware-housewares suppliers m-o-re anO more are bi5fti;; Included on the labeling tag is a fi-g. have increased their ways to serve merinJnOising aiOC *itfi com: ure.for maximum stock level to be this new customer. puter data to -better service the used in an inventory control pro- tnrs _- putef tO bettef SerViCe usecl

Most western suppliers now offer burgeoning do-it-yourself/com- gram, the unit for pricing and ordermrteh more than merchandise to the plete home center. ing and the all important retail price. retailer.AmericanWholesaleHard-Thepriceticketsusemuchthe same system and includes the customer's choice of name and the price.

In addition to offering store layout design they act as merchandis, ing and promotion consultants and work very closely with the store during the buying function. In some cases, they actually do the buying for the store.

Several years ago they introduced a program called the American Eagle Association designed especially for the independent retailer.

This program ofiers such features as reduced inventory costs, drop shipments, based on the requirements of manufacturer, and a relay program buying in standard cartons with minimum requirements.

To fully promote the store and the items carried, a catalog mailer is made available to he -uil"d by the individual store or American Wholesale Hardware. Instore display and promotional kits are also available.

For the future, this lirm, like some others, plan a telephonic order sys. tem feeding the orders right into the computer. If they can just train the eomputer to deliver them within the hour, we'll have it made.