IBy Doug Donaldson
Fresh Finds: How New Products Can Attract New Customers
nnovation is the lifeblood of any thriving business, and for hardware retailers, it’s not just about stocking shelves—it’s about maximizing new sources of customer engagement and growth. Introducing fresh, cutting-edge products can breathe new life into a store, attracting curious customers and opening opportunities that were once out of reach.
Consider those retailers who embraced battery-powered outdoor equipment before it went mainstream. By exploring this new category, they not only appealed to environmentally conscious consumers but also positioned themselves as leaders in sustainability. These products didn’t just meet a need—they created a new market, drawing in customers who might never have visited a hardware store otherwise.
Innovation isn’t just about technology; it’s also about recognizing the unique needs of your community. Many hardware stores are now hubs for grilling enthusiasts,
offering not only grills but also spices, sauces, and accessories. Walk through any hardware show, and you will see—and smell—the difference this has made to the business.
In retail’s ever-evolving landscape, hardware stores that dare to innovate are the ones that thrive. Bringing in new products is more than a business strategy—it’s a commitment to serving customers in exciting new ways. Whether tapping into emerging markets or meeting local needs, innovation is key to unlocking your store’s potential and ensuring lasting success. So, keep searching for the next great product—it might just open the door to a whole new world of possibilities.
In this product guide, you will discover many products that you can see in person at upcoming shows. Check out our comprehensive list of shows at Hardware Connection ’s Calendar of Events .
Oh, and fair warning: Innovative products may cause excessive foot traffic and happy customers. n
TorqueMaster Hex Head Concrete Screw
Exterior Coating
STAND OUT TO CUSTOMERS. STAND UP TO PESTS.
USA-made baits and traps that are safe for children and pets—but e ective on insects. Avoid foreign sourcing and be confi dent knowing RESCUE!® pest control comes from a trusted source.
AN INSIDE LOOK
NICHES
This collection of store niches showcases how diversifying your product offerings can attract new customers and set your store apart from the competition. Send photos of your best niches to doug@thehardwareconnection.com.
at Lehman’s Hardware in Kidron, Ohio.
Pizza ovens are hot at Weaver’s Ace Hardware in Fleetwood, Pa.
Classic games and kid activities at Moores’ Hardware & Building Supply, Talkeetna, Alaska.
Reptile feed and other products at CHS Northwest’s HQ in Lynden, Wash.
Cutting boards and serving accessories at Miami Home Centers in South Miami, Fla.
Step right into the wine- and beer-making section of Paterson Do it Best Hardware in New Haven, Ind.
Maple sugaring supplies at Bibens Ace Hardware in Burlington, Vt.
Beautifully displayed home décor at Breed & Co. Ace Hardware Central in Austin, Texas.
Game on at McGuckin Hardware in Boulder, Colo., with its extensive pickleball assortment.
Display of options for electronic keys at Rocky’s Ace Hardware in Holden, Mass.
Some auto mechanics drive more than an hour to buy Wright tools at White Horse Machine Hardware & Supply Store in Gap, Pa.
How to Build Your Business with Streamlined Technology
The role of technology in running a business is critical. In today’s market, where customer data is crucial to personalizing customer experiences, independent retailers require a reliable partner to help them compete with big box retailers.
For retailers, it’s a complex and highly demanding new world. Data breaches can cause significant financial and reputational damage if organizations fail to safeguard customer data. The proliferation of technology has forced retailers to seek solutions that integrate seamlessly. Add labor shortages to the mix, and business owners face an even more complex challenge.
With disruptions increasing the need for business continuity in retail, cloud technology is becoming a significant driver of change. Rapid acceleration of cloud business solution adoption is happening across retail; 46 percent of retailers have now shifted to the cloud for all or most of their business processes, while 24 percent are using a balance of cloud and on-premises solutions.
Retailers can cut costs drastically and free up staff because they no longer must purchase, update, and maintain servers, software, and networking equipment. And they don’t need to worry about power requirements, storage capacity, and computer hardware. Cloud computing gives retailers of any size the ability to increase capacity and apply new capabilities quickly and affordably. It improves flexibility and control, too. Retailers decide who has access to which data and applications, and how data is shared throughout the organization. Process streamlining and task automation free up staff to work on higher-value tasks.
Cloud solutions harmonize data from core operations in-store and online, and across multiple locations, into consolidated views. Advanced analytics through artificial intelligence and machine learning sharpen decision-making in core operations, including inventory, supply chain, pricing, orders, margin management, and sales forecasting.
From adding users to increasing bandwidth or boosting storage capacity, cloud capabilities help retailers stay ahead of the game. In the fast-changing retail world, the cloud helps adapt.
As the most experienced retail software provider, Epicor Software Corporation is a dedicated partner that provides businesses with the capabilities they need to focus on creating the customer connections that set independent retailers apart.
Epicor retail management solutions go beyond helping businesses get the job done — it helps accelerate retail growth and profitability with futureready technology that helps brands expand their reach while also protecting their business from disruption.
To learn more about Epicor for Retail and how to take advantage of their services today, visit their website at epicor.com/hardware.
In today’s hyper-connected world, the customer experience is about how, where, when and why engagement happens. That’s why Sensormatic Solutions’ commitment to you - the retailer - is more important than ever. With Sensormatic IQ, you can unify diverse data and insights with an intelligent operating platform designed to drive improved shopper experiences and retail outcomes.
Carl Swan of Swan Hardware Do it Best, Akron, Ohio tells us how Retail Automation fits his business.
TOOL BELTS SUCK.
ATTRACT MORE LOCAL CUSTOMERS
weber grills near me
Google Shopping is changing the way local customers shop for hardware products. Is your store ready? Learn More
BOOST
YOUR BUSINESS
WITH ONSIGHT REPAIRS -
Unlock the full potential of your hardware store with Onsight Repairs. As a store owner, you understand the importance of keeping your customers happy and coming back. By offering onsite lawn equipment repairs, you can provide the convenience and reliability your customers crave, all while saving on outsourcing costs.
Imagine transforming your store into a true one-stop shop, where customers know they can get everything they need—including top-notch repair services—without you needing extra space or new infrastructure. With Onsight Repairs, our expert team becomes an extension of your own, bringing high-quality repair services directly to you. This means more satisfied customers, more repeat business, and a stronger bottom line for your store.
Join the Onsight Repairs family today and feel the difference our services can make. Visit www.onsightrepairsfranchising.com or call us at 312-415-9581 to learn more about how we can support your success. We’re excited to partner with you and help take your store to the next level.
UPCOMING EVENTS
AUGUST
Independent Home Improvement Conference
August 27-29, JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort, Marco Island, Fla.
Orgill Fall 2024 Online Buying Event
August 5-18
SEPTEMBER
Blish-Mize Fall Customer Buying Market
September 12-14, Overland Park Convention Center, Overland Park, Kan.
Do it Best Fall 2024 Market
September 6-9, Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis
Horizon Distribution Fall Expo 2024
September 11-12, Yakima Convention Center, Yakima, Wash.
True Value Fall Reunion
September 9-11, Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Fla.
OCTOBER
House-Hasson Hardware Fall Dealer Market
October 10-12, Charlotte Convention Center, Charlotte, N.C.
LBM Advantage Fall Planning Conference
October 28-30, Encore Boston, Boston LMC Expo
October 23-25, Philadelphia
Wallace Hardware Fall Dealer Market
October 2-3, Sevierville Convention Center, Sevierville, Tenn.
NOVEMBER
ECI’s Connect Conference
November 11-13, Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center, Grapevine, Texas
Hardlines Distribution Alliance Executive Planning Conference
November 19-21, Westin La Paloma
Resort & Spa, Tucson, Ariz.
Orgill Winter Online Buying Event
November 4-17
DECEMBER
Nebraska BLD Connection Conference
December 11, Embassy Suites, La Vista, Neb.
Recent Features From HardwareConnection
July 2024: Hardware Goes Hollywood: Top 10 Hardware Store Movie/TV Appearances—Explore the top 10 hardware store appearances in movies and TV, from essential supply stops in zombie apocalypses to comedic DIY mishaps.
July 2024: Can You Take a Vacation?—Find out how your answer to this question is directly tied to the value of your business.
May/June 2024: Trial by Fire: One Store’s Resilient Return— Isaac Smith, co-owner of Matt’s Building Materials, tells how the strength and support of the Pharr, Texas, community enabled the store to rebuild after a 2022 fire.
May/June 2024: Midwest Fastener’s Personal Touch in a TechDriven World—In this in-depth question-and-answer interview, Glen Gevaart, Midwest Fastener’s vice president of sales, explains how the company builds long-lasting relationships while also using high-tech sales tools.
April 2024: Sustainability Special Section—Learn how one retailer eliminated the store’s electricity bill with solar panels and how another created a water reclamation system to collect enough water for the live plant nursery and more.
April 2024: Why Retailers Should Prepare for ‘Right to Repair’
This in-depth analysis of the Right to Repair movement explains how hardware retailers could be poised to ride the wave of this do-it-yourself movement.
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