QUEBEC INDUSTRY CONFERENCE ADVOCATES SHORTER STORE HOURS

Quebec industry group AQMAT welcomed more than 150 participants earlier this year to its 2023 Decision Makers Conference. It was held at the Centre de congrès de SaintHyacinthe under the theme of “Finding ways to reduce our uncertainties.”

Hosted by AQMAT CEO Richard Darveau, the event presented the results of a survey of dealers and consumers on how hardware stores can best meet their communities’ needs in a time of staffing crunches and unpredictable costs. Both groups of respondents agreed in preferring to reduce store hours, such as by returning to Sunday closures, rather than sacrificing the availability of employee expertise.

In presenting the results, Stéphane

Gendron, vice-president at market research firm CROP, stressed that hardware stores join computer stores at the top of the list of retail sectors in which customers rank knowledgeable staff as a top priority.

Gendron also pointed to a disparity in the perception of customers, most of whom see themselves as able to browse a hardware store autonomously, and dealers, who estimate that a majority of shoppers require assistance. “That’s good news: if we concentrate on the consumer [who needs help], we don’t waste the employee’s efforts.”

The audience was also treated to a panel discussion about a new service, Périscope, a data-driven platform AQMAT is developing to help to dealers, buying groups, distributors, and manufacturers to navigate supply-chain and hiring decisions.

Samuel Nadeau, financial director at Couture TIMBER MART, represented the dealer’s perspective. Mélanie Belley, sales director at CanWel, spoke to the manufacturing and distribution side, while Évolution Distribution’s Martin Ménard addressed the concerns of buying groups.

Following the panel, conference guests gave collaborative feedback on the design of the platform’s dashboard. Among the themes emerging from the discussion were the need for training in the use and interpretation of Périscope data. Materials prices and construction starts were ranked as the most critical indicators users would need to consult.

AQMAT will next gather its members on Nov. 11 at its 11th Recognition Gala, to be held at Montreal’s Fairmont Queen Elizabeth Hotel.