newsandYrevs

AAsrchonls Arsociotion of Norlhern Colifornio

fT'S THAT TIME of the year again when most of us are re' r minded by our wives of such promotions as National Home Improvement Month and that we should get with it in a hurry. Clean-up, Paint-up, Fix-up isn't just something that we sell [e our customers, it's something that we should consider for ourselves,

Traveling throughout the West, I'm most impressed with the tremendous number oI dealers remodeling and fix-up projects completed recently or underway. Some of them are most dramatic and all of them should help put more money in the cash register through increased sales. * to more and more California dealers and distributors. For year around supplies of dimension lumber and precision-trimmed studs, depend on D & R and these 4 Oregon and Washington mills:

Too often in the past, many dealers have been content to operate in facilities that clearly showed they were constructed at the turn of the century. What is told the cusitomer was that he was not dealing with a progressive merchant. This is being changed.

Much has been written and said about today's customers and their sophistication. Yet, really not enough can be said about this subject for it bears directly on our profits at the end of each year. If we don't realize what the general public wantg we and not they are the real losers.

Today's customers have money to spend and our competitors realize this. The new car showrooms have been sprffed up, the supermarkets are extremely well stocked, the department and discount stores employ every possible merchandising method. In total, each wants as many customer dollars as possible. How about you?

Now is the time for all good retail lumber dealers to take a new look at store layout, lighting, display racks, traffic flow throughout the store, merchandise on the racks, sales presentations, parking problems, customer relations, advertising. But really, this is nothing new. You should be looking at these important areas constantly. They determine whether you may get a profit or not. They afiect everything you do.

I'd like to suggest that you go beyond looking at your own facilities. The next time you are traveling elsowhereo stop in and see what other dealers are doing to win more customers. We have some most dramatic examples in our northern California area that will provide you with plenty of good ideas.

As a starter, Sterling ; ; ,irr,ror,', in Mountain view and San Joee, Yosemite in Fresno, King in Bakersfield, Hubbard & Johnson in Palo Alto and Mountain View, Silvera in Antioch and many others. These are all extensive remodel jobs designed to meet today's competition for your customers' dollars.

Be sure to watch for next month's MERCHANT which contain a full run-down on our LMA Convention.

Old Growth Fir Dimension from F.S.P. Lumber Co., Port Orford, Oregon Hemlock Studs from Warrenton Lumber Co,, Warrenton, Oregon Hemlock Dimension from Westport Lumber Co,, Westport, Oregon Douglas Fir Studs from Shepherd & Dasher Lumber Co., Longview, Wash.

Fast, regular ocean shipments by barge lrom Southern Oregon and the Columbia River direct to Southern California.

Now, over 5,000,000 feet ol dimension lumber and studs monthly manufactured especially for Southern California construction needs.

Art Neth would appreciate an opportunity to tell you how you and your customers will benefit from using dependable D & R dimension and studs. You can reach him by calling 872;1290 or 283-0tirl4.