Hardware Retailing November 2024 by NHPA

CONNECTIONS

HEADQUARTERS

1025 East 54th St. Indianapolis, Indiana 317-275-9400

NHPA@YourNHPA.org YourNHPA.org

OUR MISSION

The North American Hardware and Paint Association (NHPA) helps independent home improvement and paint and decorating retailers, regardless of affiliations, become better and more profitable retailers.

NHPA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD

Ned Green, Weider’s Paint & Hardware, Rochester, New York

EXECUTIVE VICE CHAIRMAN

Joanne Lawrie, Annapolis Home Hardware Building Centre, Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia

DIRECTORS

Alesia Anderson, Handy Ace Hardware, Tucker, Georgia

Jay Donnelly, Flanagan Paint & Supply, Ellisville, Missouri

Ash Ebbo, Clement’s Paint, Austin, Texas

Scott Jerousek, Farm and Home Hardware, Wellington, Ohio

Michelle Meny, Meny’s True Value, Jasper, Indiana

Michael Sacks, FLC Holdings, LaGrange, Texas

SECRETARY-TREASURER

Bob Cutter, NHPA President and CEO

STATE & REGIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

MIDWEST HARDWARE ASSOCIATION

Jody Kohl, 201 Frontenac Ave., P.O. Box 8033 Stevens Point, WI 54481-8033

800-888-1817; Fax: 715-341-4080

NHPA CANADA

Michael McLarney, +1 416-489-3396, mike@hardlines.ca 330 Bay Street, Suite 1400 Toronto, ON, Canada M5H 2S8

CIRCULATION, SUBSCRIPTION & LIST RENTAL INQUIRIES

CIRCULATION DIRECTOR

Richard Jarrett, 314-432-7511, Fax: 314-432-7665

COMING IN DECEMBER

EXECUTIVE STAFF

PRESIDENT & CEO

Bob Cutter

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER & PUBLISHER

Dan Tratensek

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER & EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, BUSINESS SERVICES

David Gowan

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF CONTENT

DEVELOPMENT & EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Scott Wright, swright@YourNHPA.org

CONTENT AND PRODUCTION 317-275-9400, editorial@YourNHPA.org

MANAGING EDITOR

Lindsey Thompson, lthompson@YourNHPA.org

Looking Back, Moving Forward

From the innovations and new products that sparked industry trends to the stories that made the headlines, take a look back at 2024 in the December issue of Hardware Retailing. Plus, don’t miss the Hot Products Buying Guide for the products you’ll want to stock next year.

Hardware Retailing (ISSN0889-2989) is published monthly by the North American Hardware and Paint Association, 1025 East 54th St., Indianapolis, IN 46220. Subscription rates: Hardware Retailing (Payable in advance): U.S. & possessions $50/year. Canada $75/year. All other countries $110/year. Single copy $7. The Annual Report issue can be purchased for $30.

Periodical postage paid at Indianapolis, Indiana, and additional mailing offices.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Hardware Retailing P.O. Box 16709, St. Louis, MO 63105-1209.

REPRINTS: For price quotations, contact the Editorial Department at editorial@YourNHPA.org. Printed in the U.S.

MANAGER OF MARKETING AND PARTNER RELATIONS

Austin Vance, avance@yourNHPA.org

NEWS AND DIGITAL EDITOR

Jacob Musselman, jmusselman@YourNHPA.org

LEAD GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Autumn Ricketts

MARKETING AND DESIGN SPECIALIST

Olivia Shroyer

PRODUCTION & DESIGN ASSISTANT

Samantha Mitchell

SALES & PRODUCTION ASSISTANT

Freda Creech

SALES

NATIONAL SALES MANAGER

Greg Cole gcole@YourNHPA.org | 317-775-2206

ASSOCIATION PROGRAMS 800-772-4424, NHPA@YourNHPA.org

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF RETAIL ENGAGEMENT & EVENTS

Katie McHone-Jones, kmchone-jones@YourNHPA.org

TRAINING MANAGER & EDITOR

Jesse Carleton, jcarleton@YourNHPA.org

RETAIL ENGAGEMENT SPECIALIST

Renee Changnon, rchangnon@YourNHPA.org

Navigating OSHA

Ensuring a safe workplace is critical to your reputation as a small business operator, an employer and a member of your community. Meet a retailer who worked through an OSHA violation and is sharing his story so you can learn from his missteps.

Living Local

Nearly five years and one challenging beginning later, True Value of Rock Hill has found its groove as an independent home improvement retailer and member of the community.

Learn from one retailer who took over a small-town store and added an extensive housewares category to fill a need in the area. See the ways she gets the word out to promote these products.

Honor

A new NHPA program, Helmets to Home Improvement, will bring much-deserved attention and recognition to military veterans who are now serving the independent channel.

EDITORIALLY SPEAKING

CONNECTIONS

Send Greg a Message gcole@YourNHPA.org

Greg Cole

“There is no better place to look for high-value employees than among veterans.”

INSIGHTS

Recognizing Dedicated Service

I NEVER THOUGHT I would end up working in the home improvement industry. After serving in the U.S. Marine Corps, I had my sights set on a career in avionics, but fate had other plans for me. After being honorably discharged in 1988, I struggled to adjust to civilian life. The structure and camaraderie of the military were gone, and I felt lost. I switched from job to job, trying to find my place in the world.

In March 2006, I learned of an opening at the North American Hardware and Paint Association (NHPA) selling advertising. At first, I was hesitant, but the more I thought about it, the more it made sense. In the military, attention to detail and problem-solving are crucial skills and are some of the same skills needed to help other companies grow their business.

The initial feedback I received during the interview process was that I didn’t have enough experience to be successful. However, I reminded my interviewer there was a reason they had interviewed me in the first place—they saw something there with my experience in the military.

There is no better place to look for high-value employees than among veterans. We are well-trained, hardworking, disciplined and dedicated individuals. We have valuable skills and a never-give-up attitude. If you give a veteran a task, they will find a way to get it done.

My story is just one of many shared by veterans working in the home improvement industry. Retailers and dealers alike understand the skill set a veteran can bring to their company and are tapping into those resources. Some even have a dedicated employee whose job is to recruit and hire veterans for their company.

I am so excited that in 2025, NHPA is launching its Helmets to Home Improvement program. Over the next year and beyond, we’ll be celebrating veterans in the independent home improvement industry and the ways independent retailers are supporting veterans and active duty military members.

I believe it is time for veterans to be recognized for the contributions they are making in the home improvement industry and in our communities. Veterans fought for us and have played, and continue to play, a significant role in shaping our nation’s history and future. We must never forget their sacrifice, dedication and commitment to our country. The Helmets to Home Improvement program will be one way we can honor those who served.

You can learn more about the program on Page 38. Be sure to follow us on social media and sign up for our newsletters to be the first to read the incredible stories of the outstanding veterans now serving our channel.

Greg Cole National Sales Manager, NHPA

TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS

CONNECTIONS

Send Dan a Message dant@YourNHPA.org

Dan Tratensek

“If we all share these common values, we have to simply do better as a society.”

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Finding Common Ground

IT WAS FOUR YEARS AGO when I chose to dedicate my column to the same topic I will address on this page today. No, I’m not going to talk about pricing, customer service, e-commerce or employee engagement. Instead, I want to talk about the poison that continues to course through the veins of our nation—the hatred and divisiveness that unfortunately often precedes the decline of great communities.

As I write this column, the election for our nation’s leadership is still weeks away. I think it’s better I have no idea how the electoral contest turned out because in the grand scheme, it doesn’t really matter. What matters far more than who sits in the Oval Office and what party they represent is how we, as human beings and fellow Americans, choose to treat one another. And I will say it as plainly as I possibly can: If we continue down the path we are currently on, we may reach a point of no return as a nation.

Political disagreements are healthy and even engineered into the fabric of a democratic society. What seems to have been lost is the balance of disagreement with other equally important measures of empathy, self awareness and some sort of desire to support the common good, even when it might require personal discomfort.

Yes, we are a polarized society when it comes to thoughts on the direction for this country, but we have so much more in common than our politicians and media might suggest. We all have dreams, we all have families we love and we all share a desire to leave a better world than the one we inherited.

These values don’t change based on your political affiliation, your ethnic background, your religion or your gender. And if we all share these common values, we have to simply do better as a society.

I was once visiting a friend in Europe and they mentioned that they thought it was so unusual that most Americans identify as something other than what they are. Ask them and they say their families are Irish, Italian, Mexican or German. So few simply say, “I’m American.” Our friend found this curious because she said, “Americans have so much to be proud of, yet they seem to want to deny it.”

I would assert that what Americans have to be proud of is exactly that—we come from everywhere, and we are the one nation on Earth that is truly knitted into a beautiful tapestry from other places. It seems like we have lost touch with what this means. I would hope that in the coming days, weeks, months and years we all reflect a little bit on what we have become and where we want to go.

I intentionally tried to stay apolitical in this column because, like I said to start, for the sake of the point I want to make, political affiliation doesn’t matter. What matters are the choices we make as individuals when we wake up in the morning and interact with our friends, neighbors and family.

Hopefully, the divisiveness will die off as the political spotlight dims, but we can’t wait for the sound and fury to subside. We all need to make the choice to be more accepting of one another’s views, be supportive of our communities and work together to solve our problems—THAT is the American way!

Dan M. Tratensek Chief Operating Officer & Publisher

RESOURCES

What NHPA Can Do for You

Browse the NHPA Academy Catalog to see the training and resources available to make you better and more profitable. Learn more at YourNHPA.org/catalog.

Meet Dave

Before joining the North American Hardware and Paint Association (NHPA) over a decade ago, Dave owned and operated one of the largest Wendy’s restaurant chains in Indiana. His experiences as a small business operator inform his decisions and leadership strategies as chief financial officer and executive vice president of business services for NHPA. One key deliverable of his role today is leading the development of the annual Cost of Doing Business Study, a comprehensive benchmarking tool the association has been publishing for over 100 years.

EXPERT INSIGHTS

Safeguard Your Store

In this month’s cover story, we wrote about OSHA regulations and the effect they can have on your business. However, one area that impacts this industry significantly as it relates to OSHA is fraudulent claims and specifically, fraudulent slip and fall claims.

According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), non-health related insurance fraud is estimated to be more than $40 billion per year. The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) estimates fraudulent slip and fall claims cost insurance companies roughly $13 to $14 million per year. The National Floor Safety Institute says slip and falls are the No. 1 cause of accidental injury, resulting in around 21% of all emergency room visits. It’s difficult to distinguish fraudulent claims from legitimate ones.

In order to keep your business from being the victim of a fraudulent claim, the NICB suggests some tips for how organizations can protect against slip and fall fraud:

• Be aware of possible hazards on your property and be proactive with corrective action.

• Keep walkways dry and clean.

• Provide walk-off mats for customers and employees to clean their shoes.

• Install cameras, post signage advising that video is in use and review footage regularly.

• Train employees on how to react and what to do if someone falls.

• Secure interviews of witnesses as close to the incident as possible, as memories are best when statements are taken soon after the incident.

• Involve your insurance company as they may recommend other preventative measures.

• Don’t settle a fraudulent claim with a payoff just to make it go away.

When it comes to slip and fall fraud, your No. 1 defense between a fake claim being denied and a business being responsible for an illegal claim is video. A fraudulent claim won’t stand up to video evidence, so make sure your cameras are in good working order and as stated above, provide plenty of signage indicating that cameras are recording. If potential fraudsters see a camera nearby, they will look elsewhere to carry out their scheme. Also, the clearer the images, the more protection it provides for you. The cost of a fraudulent claim is estimated to be between $40,000 and $50,000, so they can be quite expensive for a retailer.

CONNECT

Email dgowan@YourNHPA.org

LinkedIn Dave Gowan

If you believe you might be the victim of fraud, contact the NICB at 800-835-6422, and you can even report suspected fraud anonymously.

Dave Gowan Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President, Business Services

North American Hardware and Paint Association

Marketing That Works

Discover marketing insights and resources to get the word out about your operation at YourNHPA.org/marketing-guides

Meet Austin

With an authentic and contagious enthusiasm and unrivaled data knowledge, Austin Diehl leads the team at Randy’s Do it Best Hardware as their director of retail operations. He was promoted to this position after serving as a store manager for nearly three years. Though the operation experienced a major store fire in 2022, Austin found ways to keep employees staffed at other stores, led the rebuild of the store in a new location and implemented efficient ways to operate the store.

RETAILER INSIGHTS

Creating a Consistent Customer Service Experience

Congratulations! You have found a marketing strategy that communicated your brand, helped you stand out from the competition and drove traffic to your website. The customer noticed you have positive Google reviews, and they decided to give you a shot. Now here is the real question: What does that shopping experience look like?

After a busy travel month, including attending multiple hardware conferences, I took a minute to review my notes from those trips. While sifting through all the hastily written notes, I came across a single word written all by itself. There was no context given or explanatory side notes, just the word “omnichannel.” I started to think back, and I remembered why I had written that. I wanted to examine the entire customer experience shopping with us, not just in-store but through every channel we offer. You spend a tremendous amount of time and energy marketing yourself online to drive business to your website, or, better yet, directly into your store. Your teams are fully trained and engaged, ready to help any customer who walks into your store, but are they just as prepared to deliver your brand through a buy online, pickup in store (BOPIS) order? Does your website deliver the brand that you marketed? How about a phone transaction?

Just like you have defined the customer experience in your store, you need to equally define what the customer’s experience looks like no matter what channel they are engaging with. The truth is, more customers are expecting an omnichannel shopping experience. They expect the same level of customer service regardless of how they shop with you. Your company’s brand must align whether customers come into your store, shop on your website or call the store. Are you delivering the same experience through all channels?

One thing we have started doing is creating a style guide for all company communications and signage. This guide lists the specific fonts, colors and logos we want to use consistently in our messaging to customers. It can be as basic as a one-page quick reference or as in-depth as what logos and font to use in email, on the website, social, in-store signage and so on. We do this to align our brand messaging both online and in-store.

There are numerous touchpoints to consider when evaluating your brand’s omnichannel experience. You can focus on the look and feel or the execution of the order process. Either one is a great starting point. The goal is to start moving in that direction. What steps can you take right now to evaluate your store’s omnichannel experience?

Austin Diehl Director of Retail Operations

Randy’s Do it Best Hardware

TRENDS

OPERATIONS

Ho Ho Ho for the Holidays

Discover the ways retailers are connecting with customers during the holiday season at hardwareretailing.com/holidays-events

Santa

GOES DIGITAL

CATERING TO THE E-COMMERCE CROWD THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

WHILE HOLIDAY RETAIL SALES

are expected to cool compared to the heights of 2023, e-commerce holiday shopping will see an uptick, according to projections from Deloitte, an audit, consulting, tax and advisory services firm.

Make a List, Check It Twice

Whether you offer e-commerce, fully rely on brick-and-mortar customers or a combination of both, here are some ways to prepare for the holiday shopping season.

Secure and enhance your website so when online shoppers do visit, they have an easy and safe e-commerce experience.

Get active on social media to share online and in-store deals and discounts and drive traffic to both.

Connect with wholesalers and vendors to assure the holiday items your customers will want to buy will be in stock.

Prep employees for the increase of customers with additional customer service and product knowledge training.

Deloitte predicts holiday sales will increase between 2.3% and 3.3% in 2024, compared to 4.3% growth in 2023, totaling $1.58 trillion to $1.59 trillion. The forecast shows likely growth of e-commerce between 7% and 9%.

“Our forecast indicates that e-commerce sales will remain strong as consumers continue to take advantage of online deals to maximize their spending. While this holiday season reflects a return to trend levels of growth, retailers who focus on building loyalty and trust with consumers could be well positioned for success.”

Michael Jeschke, Deloitte Consulting LLP

Source: 2024 Annual Holiday Retail Forecast, Deloitte “

NEW PRODUCTS PRODUCTS

Retailer Recommendations

Send a note to editorial@YourNHPA.org about products you can’t keep on the shelf. Include your name, your business name and why you love it.

Color Changing Wall Repair

3M High Strength Hole Repair Color Changing Spackling

Compound provides quick, easy and professional looking results for dents, dings and other small repairs up to 3 inches in diameter. Its lightweight, high strength formula goes on blue and dries to white, so you know when it’s ready to sand. Ideal for drywall, plaster, stucco and wood and dries three times faster than traditional vinyl spackle.

3M | 3M.com/wallrepair

Can Cooler

The Rugged Road 12-Ounce Can Cooler keeps drinks cold on hot days. It fits both standard and slim cans, features a sweat-proof design with double-walled vacuum insulation and fits in a standard cup holder.

RUGGED ROAD | ruggedroadoutdoors.com

Caulk Gun

The SILIGUN Compact 4-inch is a lightweight, drip-free caulk gun with a patented design made of ABS plastic weighing less than one pound. The gun has a built-in antidrip feature that fits all 10-ounce cartridges. The gun allows for use in tight spaces and delivers a 12-to-1 high thrust ratio.

SILIGUN | siliguns.com

Fuel Station

The new 16-Gallon Fuel Station from JohnDow Industries is UN/DOT approved for the transport of gasoline by motor vehicle and to gravity dispense fuel into gas powered portable equipment, vehicle fuel tanks or other approved containers. Built with safety as the No. 1 priority, this portable fuel station has been tested for leakage, rupture, stability, abuse and endurance. It was specially designed to be bolted into a trailer to transport fuel.

JOHNDOW INDUSTRIES | johndow.com

Sun Hoodie

The B1 Sun Hoodie from Truewerk comes in nine colors and is available in sizes small through XXXL. It is lightweight, sweat-wicking and provides head, neck and arm protection from the sun. It has a scuba-style hood and is abrasion and tear resistant.

TRUEWERK | truewerk.com

Shoulder Lifter

The HandyLifter from ShoulderDolly is a compact, portable hook and handle lifting strap designed to help users get a handle on anything. It features an adjustable hook for a helping hand to distribute the weight of items to the hip or shoulder. HandyLifter is a simple and easy way to get a hold of boxes, groceries, packages and more.

SHOULDERDOLLY | shoulderdolly.com

Photo courtesy of Truewerk

Impact Driver

The M18 FUEL ¼-Inch Hex Impact Driver from Milwaukee Tool is a powerful impact driver with professional trigger control. The brushless motor delivers high power output for a full range of capabilities to complete the widest variety of applications. Increase productivity on the job site with the fastest driving speed of any impact driver without sacrificing power or control.

MILWAUKEE TOOL | milwaukeetool.com

Plant Growth Spray

The Super Growth Elixir from Urban Gardener is like a vitamin shot for plants, promoting healthy leaves, new growth, disease resistance and bug deterrence. The spray ingredients consist of green tea and yucca extract, vitamin C and Norwegian sea kelp.

URBAN GARDENER | geturbangardener.com

Sander

The Delta Sander DTSC 400 from Festool is a hybrid sander with the ability to change from battery power to a corded sander without compromising performance. Its ergonomic battery gives optimum performance and handling. This sander’s battery makes the unit balanced and has a 30-minute recharge time.

FESTOOL | festoolusa.com

Dust Channeling Sanding Sponge

The 3M Pro Grade Precision Dust Channeling Sponge is designed with diamond-patterned channels that direct dust away from the surface to prevent clogging and make for lasting use. The angled sponge helps sand hard-to-reach areas and corners, while premium mineral grits make the Pro Grade Precision Dust Channeling Sponge great for detailed sanding and a professional finish. Use wet or dry, indoors or outdoors, for most construction, woodworking, carpentry and home improvement projects.

3M | 3m.com/sanding

Shower Seat

The Moen Home Care Stainless and Teak Folding Shower Seat offers exceptional beauty and uncomplicated style for an ageless yet fashion-forward presence. It supports up to 400 pounds and is 20 inches wide by 15 inches deep and made of hardwood teak.

MOEN | moen.com

French Press

The Basecamp Camping French Press from Planetary Designs is a rugged way to brew coffee outdoors. It features a double-walled, vacuum-sealed construction that keeps coffee hot for hours. The plunger design ensures a smooth and consistent brew, while the mesh plate keeps grounds out of the cup.

PLANETARY DESIGNS | planetarydesign.com

Stay in Line

A surprise OSHA visit led leadership at Farm & Home Hardware to create a comprehensive safety program for employees.

SAFETY FIRST

OSHA Violation Leads Ohio Retailer to Develop Comprehensive Safety Program

COMPILED BY NHPA EDITORIAL STAFF

It’s a call that no retailer ever wants to get—the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is on-site for a surprise safety inspection.

For Scott Jerousek, owner of Farm & Home Hardware, which operates two stores in north central Ohio, with a third opening by the end of the year, it was more of a wake-up call that led to the development of a comprehensive safety program for the business and a “safety ﬁrst” culture among his 130 employees.

“I’m out of town and get a call from the oﬃce manager at our Ashland store who says there is an OSHA inspector on-site for a surprise visit,” Jerousek says. “Of course, my ﬁrst thought was, ‘Who turned us in?’”

Jerousek suspected a disgruntled employee they had let go several days prior was responsible. But he says the focus quickly shifted to the nature of the violations and what measures they needed to fix. In this case, it was related to several forklift safety violations.

It started in the warehouse of his Ashland, Ohio, store where employees were using forklifts with a platform attached to get appliances oﬀ the upper racks. Employees would take a forklift up 20 feet high and were stepping oﬀ and pulling appliances onto it, which is something Jerousek says he knew they shouldn’t be doing and were lucky no one was ever hurt.

Since the OSHA violations, leadership at Farm & Home Hardware has placed additional focus on developing a safety culture among all employees. Pictured here are Heather Stocals, Daryll

“You always plan on making changes tomorrow or next week,” Jerousek says. “Then more pressing issues arise, and the safety program upgrades are put off.”

Ironically, he purchased a clamp truck for this specific purpose six months prior but wasn’t using it yet.

“That was the big violation we received,” he says. “Whenever you go higher than 4 feet, you must be strapped in. We had safety harnesses, but we weren’t making sure everyone was trained on how to properly use them and weren’t documenting training.”

The other OSHA citation they received was also related to forklift safety. In this case it was a Chemical Hazard Communication Standard (HAZCOM) violation where employees were topping off batteries in forklifts with water without wearing proper personal protection equipment (PPE).

Todd Jensen, director of OSHA’s Toledo Area Office, which oversees the region where Jerousek’s stores are located, says forklift violations are the top infraction he sees in the business classification that includes hardware stores, home centers, lumberyards and paint stores.

“In northwest Ohio, we’ve probably had five or six forklift violations at these types of stores since the first of the year,” Jensen says. “And the one thing that’s common between them all is they all need to improve their forklift safety training.”

The Negotiation Process

As an enforcement agency, Jensen says OSHA doesn’t give any free passes after a citation is issued. And the violations that Farm & Home Hardware was cited for amounted to $40,000 in fines, the starting point for negotiations. From there, a meeting was scheduled to discuss the citations and outline an abatement plan.

As an area director for OSHA, Jensen says he can lower penalty amounts based on the willingness of the employer to cooperate, fixing what’s wrong and thoroughly documenting it. In the case of the fines at Farm & Home Hardware, the initial $40,000 fine was lowered to $18,000, the maximum amount it could be reduced. Farm & Home Hardware also agreed to a six-month payment plan.

After a violation of this nature, Jensen says he wants to see an abatement process put in place.

Jerousek relied on Daryll Mauder, his department manager for delivery, install and warehouse, to set up the abatement process and oversee all company safety initiatives.

He says the timing was also good because developing a safety program would also serve as Mauder’s semester project for the North American Hardware and Paint Association’s (NHPA) Retail Management Certification Program.

The Abatement Plan

OSHA reduced the fine from the maximum amount thanks to Mauder’s swift actions to improve safety after the citation. He implemented a forklift training protocol, obtained proper OSHA certifications and contracted preventative forklift maintenance through his manufacturer, which includes regular battery checks, preventing his employees from performing this maintenance themselves.

The next initiative was to make sure records for all safety training were being properly logged. This required Mauder to take a series of classes, including OSHA 300 Recordkeeping, a 10-hour, online certification.

“Now, instead of reacting to everything, we are being proactive,” he says. “That’s the mindset Scott and I want to have moving

Mauder, Jennifer Owens and Kate Hartman

TRAINING

Stay Compliant

Browse NHPA’s training courses on workplace safety to keep your employees safe. Learn more at training.yournhpa.org/store

forward for Farm & Home Hardware. Every morning at the start of the shift, we are using an app called Safety Culture, which helps us keep all records current, going above and beyond what OSHA requires of us.”

The app takes the user through a series of questions, with the ability to take pictures and include notes related to the inspection. It requires staﬀ members to physically inspect components like overhead guards, lift cages, tires, tanks and hoses, working horns and seat belts, so they can document any physical damage that would be detrimental to its operation.

“We conduct these inspections every day to make sure our equipment is safe to operate, which will allow us to take better care of our customers,” Mauder says.

The training also extends to analyzing customers’ vehicles for safety purposes.

“We load a lot of bulk items, and sometimes we’re loading up a truck that maybe just came oﬀ the farm and it doesn’t look road worthy,” he says. “Our motto is ‘Once we touch it, we own it,’ and we take a lot of pride in that. The only setback to our customers is that we are slowing down to make sure we are doing our jobs safely, instead of hoping for the best.”

Jerousek says their comprehensive efforts to start training employees on forklift safety and the OSHA certifications Mauder obtained immediately following the citation provided the confidence OSHA needed to lower the fine.

“Daryll did a great job showing all of the training we implemented, with daily walk-arounds for each vehicle, to make sure everything is in order,” he says. “We also provided documentation of a service contract with our tow motor provider to maintain the batteries and rest of the equipment.”

Next Steps

Between the 20 hours Mauder has logged for his forklift certifications, the standard operating procedures (SOPs) developed and the safety training being implemented for everyone, abatement has required a lot of time. But it’s something Mauder wants to complete. His next step is a 30-hour OSHA program covering emergency preparedness, including fire escape, tornado safety and other emergency action plans for staff members and customers.

The safety training has also extended to other vehicles owned by the company. Jerousek says every vehicle owned by the company now has GPS trackers, and the plan is to add cameras to see idle time and analyze the best routing for deliveries.

“We have 10 to 15 trucks on the road any given day. Those jobs carry with them the highest possibility for liability. Due to that we focus on controlling as many factors as possible to ensure the safety of our team,” Jerousek says.

Now the company has a regular protocol for safety checks of parts like turn signals and brakes to ensure vehicle safety when out for deliveries or during store transfers.

Other miscellaneous safety training that has been added to the program at Farm & Home Hardware includes electrical safety

Forklift Safety Training Requirements

Proper forklift safety training generally includes two parts.

PART ONE

First is the online piece that is offered through various service providers, including J.J. Keller, which is available through NHPA.

PART TWO

The second part involves one-on-one operator evaluations. When conducting these evaluations, Jensen says it needs to include conditions that forklift operators are going to face in the workplace.

“You just don’t want them driving in the back room, lifting pallets up on shelves, and that’s it,” he says. “When they’re going outside and getting a pallet of rock salt in a dirt lot with potholes, you need to evaluate how they perform in those types of situations, too.”

Jensen also advised retailers not to rely on anyone else’s forklift training for new hires.

“If someone says they have training from another employer, always double down and do it again, because you’re relying on someone outside of your company to make sure that employees and customers are safe in your place of business.”

Top 5 OSHA Violations for Home Improvement Stores

According to Todd Jensen, director of the OSHA Toledo Area Ofﬁce, the most common infractions for independent home improvement retailers include:

Forklift Safety Training

1

The lack of a formal forklift safety training program is the top OSHA violation among home improvement retail stores, including the daily inspections that need to be done for each unit.

2

3

4 Chemical HAZCOM Training

There are many chemicals used in hardware and paint stores, and anything other than water is going to be considered a hazardous chemical. Be sure team members are trained on the health effects and proper procedures for paint spills and other chemicals that will likely spill at some point and need to be cleaned up.

General Duty Clause

These infractions many times include propane ﬁlling operations, where the setup isn’t proper or employers aren’t wearing gloves and base shields when they’re ﬁlling tanks. Or, if there are devices being used to make adapters for tanks that aren’t approved. “We have seen plenty of systems that have been completely rigged up to make them work,” says Jensen. “And it’s just not safe.”

Machine Guarding

Most retailers have shop tools, such as pipe threading machines or a band saw or bench grinder in the back room, and this equipment has to be properly guarded and shielded.

Record Keeping

If you have more than 10 employees, you must keep OSHA 300 injury logs. Jensen says oftentimes retailers just don’t ﬁll them out properly.

Safe All the Way Through

Learn from retail safety experts on how to protect your operation at all levels at hardwareretailing.com/safety-operation.

training to prevent fires and having guards on all power tools and machines used by the business.

Jensen says the most common electrical-related citations are easy fixes, including not using extension cords with missing ground prongs and not plugging power strips into one another.

When becoming OSHA compliant, Jerousek says there is a greater burden placed on smaller, independently owned operations because they often don’t have the comprehensive safety and training resources that larger organizations utilize.

“In OSHA’s eyes, everyone is the same, whether it’s our business with over 100 team members, a typical hardware store with 10 people or Ford Motor with hundreds of thousands of employees,” he says. “All of us must adhere to the same rules and regulations, and OSHA requires the same safety standards from everyone.”

Jensen says OSHA could do a better job providing information to independent retailers, as he says national chains like Home Depot and Lowe’s have entire teams dedicated to safety and compliance.

“We could do a better job getting information out to smaller retailers on what is required for specific employers, but we just don’t have the resources to target every employer in the U.S.,” Jensen says. “So, what we do is put it back in the employer’s lap with information and resources on our website.”

Savings Add Up

An added bonus to the safety program now in place at Farm & Home Hardware is it should help reduce the number of workman’s comp claims recorded each year, which is typically four or five, Jerousek says.

“They are mostly related to employees getting cut in various ways, or on the appliance side of the business, such as foot and back injuries from lifting heavy items and putting them in tight areas,” he says.

The greater focus on safety also reduces the number of damage claims when installing appliances in customers’ homes.

To help train installers, Mauder says they are building a training center at one of their warehouses for delivery and installation team members, where they can get hands-on experience before they go to someone’s house.

The retailer has also developed a safety bonus program using manufacturer spiff dollars that are now divided up three ways, after any damages are paid out to customers.

“We are now utilizing those dollars to fund a pool where our sales team, delivery drivers and service technicians all receive a percentage of the money,” Jerousek says. “We pay for customer damage claims and employee issues first, then divide the remainder up into sizable bonuses twice a year. This has helped to give every member of the team individual ownership of their financial futures, while also creating a culture of accountability.”

OSHA as a Consultant

Jerousek says his experience taught him that OSHA is a great resource to help retailers operate safer stores. If an owner wants OSHA to visit their store to do a consultation, OSHA will not fine them for what they find but will want them to fix any violations.

“Some larger retailers I know spend a lot of money hiring third-party companies to help with safety prevention, but most retailers don’t have the resources to utilize these professional services,” Jerousek says. “So, they try to figure it out themselves or reach out to others in the industry, but the OSHA regulations are difficult to fully understand. When you are in a situation, the last thing you want to do is to reach out directly to OSHA and give them the opportunity to find more issues. But we took the jump and spoke directly with our local OSHA office to ask for guidance. What we received was an honest, empathetic discussion that helped us to fully understand the safety rules we need to adhere to.”

Jensen says consultations are free, with no strings (or fines) attached.

“I can guarantee you, in Ohio, if you call an OSHA office with a question, we are not going to do an inspection just because you call; that would defeat our purpose,” he says. “We’re not going to ask you who you are or where you’re located. We don’t have the resources to send a compliance officer out to everyone who calls.”

Jensen adds that the lack of resources in most OSHA regional offices throughout the country also prevents them from conducting follow-up inspections in most cases.

“If the employer is willing to fix what’s wrong, that’s usually enough for us. We will do follow-up inspections when we don’t think the employer is going to follow through or is fixing the problem temporarily to get us off their back,” he says. “But the likelihood of a follow-up is minuscule.”

Staying Focused on Safety

The events that led to developing the safety program at Farm & Home Hardware have changed the company’s mindset around safety in a positive way. But Jerousek says it is all for naught if they don’t remain laser focused on safety moving forward.

“As a result of everything we have been through this year, we now have a full-fledged safety program, whereas before, it was just a forklift safety program,” he says. “We have grown from one to two stores in the past several years, and now we’re adding a third. We just got so busy that we didn’t focus on safety like we should have.”

Overall, he says the experience dealing with OSHA was very positive, minus the fine, and that everyone they worked with was highly professional and helpful.

“We get up every morning, turn on the lights and try to make a positive impact on our communities with our teams,” Jerousek says. “Somewhere in there we need to allot time for safety.”

A Community Hub

Nikiski Hardware has created a welcoming place for the community to gather. Read their story at hardwareretailing.com/nikiski-hardware

LIVING

Local

RETAILER FINDS THE RIGHT FIT IN THE COMMUNITY

ABY LINDSEY THOMPSON

lmost five years and one challenging start later, True Value of Rock Hill in Rock Hill, South Carolina, has found its groove as a business and an integral member of the community. Owner Jay Simpson opened the store in February 2020 with his business partner Alex Dorsey, who also serves as part-owner of City True Value in Chester, South Carolina, with Simpson’s father, Jack Simpson Jr.

“I was just getting out of college with a degree in entrepreneurship and didn’t know what I wanted to do,” Jay says. “My dad told me Alex was interested in opening a second store, so I jumped at the chance to join him.”

Jay was 24 and Alex was 28 when they endeavored to open the second location, and a few weeks later, the COVID-19 pandemic struck, testing their ambitions. The duo had scheduled the grand opening for April 2, 2020, which ended up being the same day they had to close the store’s doors for several weeks.

“Fortunately, hardware stores were deemed essential, so we opened a few weeks later,” Jay says. “It ended up being good for us saleswise and showed our community we were there for them. We partnered with a local veterinary lab that manufactured hand sanitizer and sold about 10,000 bottles, providing a much-needed product.”

Choosing Local

As a new store, True Value of Rock Hill had only about 3,000 SKUs, which made the pandemic-induced inventory shortages extra challenging. Jay says they had to scramble to find new SKUs and planograms, which led them to stock local items, a strategy they’ve continued. The store carries locally made and sourced products, including raw milk, canned vegetables and jellies, grill seasonings, steel mailboxes, candles, flashlights and Christmas ornaments.

“Those local products held stock in the store when it felt like everything else was out from our vendors,” Jay says. “We’ve kept all of those products too, since they have sold well.”

Other niches Jay and Alex have carved out at True Value of Rock Hill include small engine repair, battery-powered tools and lawnmowers.

“We’re best known for our STIHL selection,” Jay says. “We increased our 52-foot display by an extra 20 feet in anticipation of more battery-powered sales. In just a few months in 2023, we sold 19 zero-turn lawn mowers, putting us as the top dealer for our region, which I am proud of because we’re a small hardware store and not a large landscaping retailer.”

“Even if we don’t have the product on the shelf, we always ask if we can order it for them or get it from our other store. That’s what keeps them coming back.”

Jay Simpson True Value of Rock Hill

Jay says they employ the only gold-certified STIHL mechanic in town and also have two silver-certified STIHL mechanics on staff, so repair times are usually a same-day turnaround.

Despite the challenges with opening the store, Jay and Alex found success, marking almost $900,000 in sales in their first year when they were slated to make $650,000. Last year, they nearly doubled those sales numbers.

True Value of Rock Hill co-owner Jay Simpson started carrying local products because of supply chain issues during the pandemic and kept them in stock thanks to their popularity with customers.

Beyond the Store

Finding the right product mix during a tumultuous time was one key to the store’s success. Jay says the employees at True Value of Rock Hill and the store’s involvement with the community are other crucial components to thriving.

Jay and Alex treat the store’s seven employees like an extension of the family, offering them a genuine work-life balance and flexibility. In return, their employees provide the personable, high caliber customer service they want to be known for and that sets them apart from the competition.

“It’s always good to know our customers’ names and to go out of our way to help them find what they want. Our customers like being recognized and always remember when they’ve been helped,” Jay says. “Even if we don’t have the product on the shelf, we always ask if we can order it for them or get it from our other store. That’s what keeps them coming back.”

Employees are also included in making decisions for the store. For example, Jay says at one point they were

having a difficult time finding a good cooler to stock. He asked the two cashiers, Katie and Elaine, who recommended Brumate coolers.

“We went with their recommendation, and now we have a good selection of unique coolers and coffee cups that no one else in the area stocks,” Jay says. “We appreciate and want our employees’ input because the store is just as much their livelihood as it is ours.”

Going the extra mile extends beyond the walls of the store. True Value of Rock Hill hosts raffles to support local organizations and contributed funds to build a special needs park in town. The store also participates in its wholesaler’s paint grant program to donate paint to eligible schools and provided much-needed recovery efforts after Hurricane Helene.

“Our customers love coming into the store for our quick service, attention to cleanliness and product variety,” Jay says. “We stand out by being committed to selling local and high-quality products and showing we are engaged with our customers, employees and community.”

“Our customers love coming into the store for our quick service, attention to cleanliness and product variety. We stand out by being committed to selling local and high-quality products and showing we are engaged with our customers, employees and community.”

Jay Simpson True Value of Rock Hill

Customers of True Value of Rock Hill appreciate the clean and organized space to shop for their favorite products.

CHECKOUTS

Hahn Ace Hardware Makes Space for Local Nonprofits

Hahn Ace Hardware, which has five locations in Hartford, Delafield, Mukwonago, Menomonee Falls and Mequon, Wisconsin, is connecting with the community by opening up space at the stores for various organizations to raise money.

Owner Perry Hahn says it’s all part of the company’s community outreach initiative, with space available in the stores for Boy Scouts to sell popcorn, Girl Scouts to sell cookies, veterans organizations to sell poppies and any other nonprofit groups to use to raise money.

“We offer nonprofits the space to sell raffle tickets, to grill out or for any other activities they are doing to benefit the community,” Hahn says. “We supply the space, as well as the tents and grills if needed, and a good flow of customers to assist the groups raising their funds. The only request we have is that it is a nonprofit group or organization that benefits the overall community.”

Hahn says this is an easy way for the operation to support the local community and its organizations by providing them space, foot traffic and exposure to assist in their fundraising.

“We believe one of the keys to this type of opportunity is that we are partnering with the nonprofit groups while they work to raise funds,” Hahn says. “We put more value on a partnership like this than just getting an email or letter from an organization asking for donations.”

Over the years, Hahn says the stores have hosted Boys Scouts who have started with selling popcorn and later earned their Eagle Scout badge by doing a community related project that Hahn Ace Hardware was more than happy to assist with financially.

“It means a lot to us to be good partners with the organizations in the communities where we do business,” Hahn says. “It’s an opportunity for our employees and our business to become an even more valued part of the fabric of our communities.”

As part of the company’s community outreach initiative, Hahn Ace Hardware offers store space for nonprofits to use for various fundraising events.

CATEGORY SPOTLIGHT

OPERATIONS

Create a Canning Niche

Discover how one store owner took a flourishing housewares section and made it more successful at hardwareretailing.com/canning-niche.

Building More

HOW A SMALL-TOWN STORE TRANSFORMED INTO A HOUSEWARES DESTINATION

BY JACOB MUSSELMAN

When the Bowman family took over Prickly Pear Farm & Home in the small town of Kinsley, Kansas, in 2022, Ellie Bowman, the current owner and manager, and her family knew changes had to be made after seeing how the business had been run. From product selection to organization, Bowman wanted to make big changes in order to be successful.

“After taking over, we realized the store needed a face-lift and better organization because much of the layout didn’t make sense,” Bowman says.

Bowman’s vision of the store was to become more than a community lumberyard—she wanted it to become the place to go for housewares.

The Right Products

Part of the face-lift included expanding the product offerings, as Bowman had an opportunity fall into her lap when a local housewares store in Kinsley announced it was closing. Bowman used this opportunity to buy the rest of what the owner was selling at their shop, including baking mixes, dips, soaps, lotions and other housewares items.

Since selling through that initial stock purchased from the housewares store owner, Bowman has expanded on what her store offers. Some of her biggest sellers have become pepper jellies, dips and seasonings.

One struggle Bowman has in her housewares category is finding new items and making sure they’re profitable. Fortunately, when she took over the store and bought the remaining supply of the housewares store that was closing, that owner put Bowman in contact with different vendors. The owner also introduced Bowman to Faire, an app that connects local business owners with vendors for a variety of products, including housewares.

“The app essentially does all of the middleman work for me and brings it all onto the app so I can get almost anything related to housewares through Faire,” Bowman says.

Bowman says the housewares category is a guessing game, but focusing on selling products she is passionate about has been one of the best pieces of advice she’s received.

“If you like and use a product, you’re going to be able to sell it,” Bowman says. “But if you don’t know much about a product and you’re not passionate about it, you won’t have much success in selling it.”

Getting the Word Out

Being located in a small, rural community has both challenges and opportunities. While the Kinsley community has been supportive of the store’s new offerings, growing the housewares department into what it is today required some creativity.

“The hardest aspect of starting out was getting people who thought of us as just a lumberyard to know what all we offer now,” Bowman says.

One way Bowman has garnered attention is through her in-store events, which she promotes on social media.

Stock It All

Prickly Pear Farm & Home keeps a diverse housewares category in addition to its hardware selection to serve all types of shoppers.

“Our tasting events always bring people in,” she says. “That’s when products really fly off the shelves.”

Bowman says organizing these events by herself or in collaboration with her local chamber of commerce gives potential customers a reason to come into her store.

In addition to in-store events, the store regularly posts on social media to market its unique products and customer events.

“Posting on social media is my main form of marketing right now,” Bowman says. “It’s a learning curve, but it’s been essential for getting the word out.”

While her time owning her store hasn’t been without its challenges, Bowman says her sales have far exceeded her initial expectations.

“Since we took over, we’ve doubled what we projected our sales to be, which is amazing,” Bowman says. “Our community is small, but I’ve been so thankful.”

Owner Ellie Bowman hopes to expand her housewares category even more and potentially build a dedicated space for the department.

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What You Need to Know in November

Do it Best Makes Bid for True Value Assets

In one of the biggest deals the independent home improvement industry has seen in decades, Do it Best has announced its bid to acquire all assets from True Value, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy under private equity ownership.

LL Flooring Saved by Investment Firm

F9 Investments has signed an agreement to acquire all 219 stores, inventory, distribution centers and other company assets from LL Flooring as part of its Chapter 11 process.

spoga+gafa Names New Director

With more than 15 years of experience in executive positions in global trade fair and project management, Claudia Maurer will be succeeding Stefan Lohrberg as director of spoga+gafa, the world’s largest garden and barbecue trade fair.

To read these news stories and other news, visit hardwareretailing.com/industry-news

DOJ Files Lawsuit Against Visa

The Department of Justice claims Visa is monopolizing debit card transactions and penalizing industry participants who want to use alternative debit networks.

2 Hardware Companies Named to Time Magazine Best of List

Ranking employee satisfaction, revenue growth and sustainability transparency, Ace Hardware and The Home Depot made the publication’s list of World’s Best Companies of 2024.

Don’t Reinvent the Wheel

Take advantage of NHPA’s library of 43 training courses and over 273 individual modules . Licensing gives you the ability to easily add any of our courses to your LMS, and we’ll help get it set up.

FULL LIBRARY TRAINING BUNDLE

$4,500

$5,000 per year to license 43 NHPA training courses

per store fee includes $99 per training course if you pick and choose $250

*Must be a premier member of NHPA and a new licensing customer. Discount applies to year one of a two year contract.

Self-Paced

All courses are online and designed for you to learn at your own pace, ﬁtting seamlessly into your busy schedule.

Expertly Created

Courses are developed by industry leaders with decades of retail experience and success.

Cost-Effective

Easily add courses to your learning management system (LMS), saving time and money.

Proven Results

Enhance employee skills, boost productivity and drive growth.

Dedicated Support

Customer support to address any questions or concerns related to the training courses.

Access to Training Materials

Access to digital training materials, resources, and modules for each store, ensuring consistent training across all locations.

Updates and Refreshers

Updates to the training materials to ensure the content remains current and relevant.

Multi-User Licenses

Includes the ability for stores to register multiple users from each store under the same license, promoting widespread adoption of the training program.

Access to New Course Releases

Early access to any new training courses that NHPA releases.

Orgill Winter Online Buying Event

November 4-17 | VIRTUAL

Epicor’s Leadership Summit

November 18-20 | LAS VEGAS, NV

ISSA Show North America

November 19-21 | LAS VEGAS, NV

House-Hasson Winter Dealer Market

Jan. 31 - Feb. 1 |

The Retail Marketplace Can Help You

Buy a Store | Sell Your Business | Post a Job, Get a Business Valuation | Find a Lender and More

BUSINESS FOR SALE

Northwest Farm & Home Supply Co.

Location: Lemmon, SD

Gross Revenue: $3.21 million

The main building is a total 27,213 sq. ft. of retail and warehouse space on 4 acres. The main bldg. was constructed in 1994 with additions constructed in 2002 and 2004. Single story with 22’ clear height in 11,459 sq. ft. of lumber warehouse, three grade level doors and two dock height doors.

BUSINESS FOR SALE

Hoosick True Value

Location: Hoosick Falls, NY

Gross Revenue: $1.26 million

Price: $1.875 million

This opportunity offers a turnkey sale of a general hardware business located in northeastern Rensselaer Co., New York. The business serves five towns and southwestern Bennington Co., Vermont, and 25 miles east of Troy, New York.

BUSINESS FOR SALE

Home Improvement Supply Store

Location: Missouri

Gross Revenue: $1.04 million

This historic home improvement and hardware store is a staple of its community and operates from its headquarters in the Kansas City Metropolitan Area of Missouri. The Company is a long-standing retailer and installer of consumer and commercial improvement products.

BUSINESS FOR SALE

Albrights Hardware & Garden Center

Location: Allentown, PA

Gross Revenue: $1.9 million Price: $800,000

Albrights Hardware is an established hardware store with strong neighborhood ties and has been a Lehigh Valley staple for over 50 years. The current owners have owned the store since 1992. Albrights serves its loyal customer base by providing quality products and exceptional customer service.

BUSINESS FOR SALE

Central Vermont Paint, Flooring and Decorating Business

Location: Vermont

Gross Revenue: $2.82 million

Price: $1.1 million

Full-service decorating store providing flooring, paint, window treatments, kitchen/bathroom remodeling, cabinetry product offerings, design assistance, specialized service, and professional installation.

BUSINESS FOR SALE

Private Business

Location: Alabama

Gross Revenue: $2.21 million

Price: $649,000

BUSINESS FOR SALE

Private Business

Location: Pennsylvania

Gross Revenue: $1.6 million

SEEKING BUSINESSES

The Aubuchon Company

For our next acquisition, we are looking for:

• Single-store and multi-store hardware operations

• Located in northeast and southeast United States

• Store size of 5,000-30,000 ft 2

• At least $3 million in average store sales

SEEKING BUSINESSES

Bolster Hardware

We are looking for:

• Geography agnostic

• With or without real estate

• Store revenues of $1.5M+

• We prefer to honor the family name and heritage in the local community by not changing the name

• We prefer to keep all employees as part of the acquisition

SEEKING BUSINESSES

Gold Beach Lumber Yard

We are looking for:

• Single-store and multi-store hardware operations

• Located in the Pacific Northwest

• Store size of 5,000 ft2-30,000 ft2

Honoring Our Heroes

Learn more about the Helmets to Home Improvement program and the ways these hometown heroes will be honored and recognized at YourNHPA.org/veterans.

A NEW WAY TO SERVE

NHPA PROGRAM HONORS THOSE WHO HAVE SERVED OUR COUNTRY AND INDUSTRY

While there is no way to repay the sacriﬁces made by veterans of the armed forces, the North American Hardware and Paint Association (NHPA) recognizes that not only have these individuals made a lasting impact on their country, but they are also a prominent and positive inﬂuence within the home improvement industry.

To honor the ongoing impact veterans make throughout the home improvement industry, NHPA is launching the Helmets to Home Improvement recognition program, with the National Hardware Show as the program’s exclusive event sponsor.

The program will officially kick off at the 2025 National Hardware Show in Las Vegas

and culminate with an gala event to honor the industry’s military veterans in person at the 2026 National Hardware Show.

“We want to shine a spotlight and illustrate the contribution these folks make in retail, distribution, manufacturing and really every area of this industry,” says NHPA COO and publisher Dan Tratensek. “There is some kind of unique ﬁt that military vets not only seem to gravitate toward this industry but also excel within it. This is our way to make sure they continue to receive recognition for their contributions.”

Throughout 2025 and 2026, NHPA will share the stories of these hometown heroes in all of its media brands, in print and online. Visit YourNHPA.org/veterans to learn more.

Leadership Essentials

Empower your team to recognize their leadership strengths, fostering personal growth and effective leadership in your business.

Leading Your Team

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Financial Management

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Mentoring

Cultivate future leaders by equipping your team with the expertise to mentor effectively, fostering a culture of growth and development.

Merchandising Management Tactics for Store Operations

Prepare retail professionals with key merchandising and store operations strategies to boost sales and improve customer experience.

Merchandising Management Strategies for Buyers

Enhance your managers’ and buyers’ expertise with advanced training in buying and merchandising to boost store performance and proﬁtability.