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Publisher/Principal: Craig Cope craig@thehardwareconnection.com 804-690-0666
Editor/Founder/Principal: Chris Jensen chris@thehardwareconnection.com 317-514-8864
Marketing & Creative Director/Principal: Dan Akers dan@thehardwareconnection.com 317-797-6609
Senior Editor: Doug Donaldson doug@thehardwareconnection.com 646-508-7904
Founder/Principal: Tom Chasteen tom@thehardwareconnection.com 305-852-6126
Senior Business Advisor: John Hammond jhammond@thehardwareconnection.com
National Account Manager: Dan Beck dbeck@thehardwareconnection.com 518-852-9624
Contributing Writers: Gary Pittsford, Craig Webb
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By Chris Jensen
Ilistened to and followed most of the rules my parents taught me growing up. Thankfully for them and me, social media and the internet didn’t exist back then, so the list of do’s and don’ts was not that long. One of the easiest rules to follow was: don’t take something that doesn’t belong to you.
Seems simple, yet so many people today have a problem with that concept. Shoplifting has turned into an epidemic impacting stores of all sizes, rural and urban. Retailers have to spend time and money dealing with shoplifting incidents and strategizing how to outsmart the crooks, who are getting more brazen.
Here’s a scary statistic; according to a recent survey, eight in 10 retailers reported increased incidents of violence and aggression in the past year. No one wants to see an employee or another customer get injured over a stolen drill, so many retailers instruct their staff not to attempt to apprehend suspected shoplifters. Thieves know that, so that emboldens them to take more risks.
It’s easy to point the finger at drug addicts and the homeless and say desperation is driving those folks to steal, but that’s not necessarily the case.
Retailers say many of the people shoplifting from their stores are regular, respectable customers. Teachers, bankers, contractors, firefighters. They see an opportunity and think they can get away with it. In many cases, they do.
Shrink is a cost of doing business, with the lost profit trickling back up the channel. Ultimately, all end users pay more for merchandise to account for loss by theft including employee theft. A Home Depot employee in California was recently caught with $80,000 in stolen merchandise at their home. Independent retailers feel an even bigger sense of betrayal when they discover an employee has stolen merchandise from them.
Shoplifting’s real cost is lack of trust. As a retailer, you want to bend over backwards to help all your customers, but then you feel disgusted to see some of these customers stick a product under their shirt.
Turn to page 31 to discover ways retailers are attempting to combat the rise in shoplifting. It takes more than attentive employees and lots of surveillance cameras. Unfortunately, when employees have to follow suspicious shoppers around the store it takes time away from helping other customers. n
By Craig Cope
Istarted 2023 by writing about the world of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in a two-part Trend Watch series— Jan/Feb 2023 and March 2023. It seems like a day does not go by when AI is not in the news. However, a recent 60 Minutes interview with Google executives introduced a term I had not discovered during my research. Frankly, it’s extremely scary—AI hallucinations.
An AI hallucination is defined as “a confident response by an AI that does not seem to be justified by its training data. In simplest terms, AI can return results that appear correct on the surface but are 100 percent fabricated by the software. Click here to watch an example using Google’s AI (Bard), which recommended five books on a topic, but none of them exist.
Google CEO Sundar Pichai confirmed they are receiving “a lot of hallucinations.” The next part of the interview left me genuinely speechless. AI hallucinations are not only expected, but all AI models exhibit this problem. Further, no one in the AI field has solved the hallucination problem, and it’s debatable if it’s ever solvable.
Hallucinations are not the only issues facing AI, but also something
known as “emergent properties.” This term describes when AI learns outside of its programming, essentially teaching itself. A 2023 study was recently published using the following as one prompt entered into popular AI models like ChatGPT: • What movie do these emojis describe?
This challenge is exceptionally difficult, because the selected AI models are based solely on text prompts. The simplest of AI models produced what can only be described as gibberish. While medium-complex models came much closer by guessing The Emoji Movie. The most complex models produced the answer in only one guess: Finding Nemo.
The difference revolves around computing power. Computer scientists believed that increasing computing power would produce better performance on tasks the AI was programmed to handle. Still, no one anticipated AI would produce unpredictable results outside of its programming.
As the AI world continues to evolve, I will provide updates on significant developments that will impact all of us in the hardware/home improvement channel. n
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One day, some guy came in, said he was just browsing and then he leaves with a chainsaw without paying. My sister and co-owner Kim goes flying out the door. He jumps in his car and shifts into gear, but Kim jerks open the car door. The guy had laid the chainsaw on his daughter’s lap. So, Kim grabs it away, then the guy speeds off. Kim got the chainsaw back but got a little cut on her thumb.
e caught a guy stealing and he runs off. But we knew which car he drove up in. So, we took the valve stems out of all four tires. The car sat for two or three days. Then we see these rubber marks, where he must have drove off on flat tires in the middle of the night.
Bill Wygal
Bill’s Ace Hardware Martinez, Calif.
Reno is an interesting market. One day, in comes this secondgrade teacher who looks like she’s straight out of Catholic school. She needed mounting hardware to put her stripper pole back up after moving to a new apartment. It’s her exercise routine.
Tim Carter Carter Bros. Ace Hardware Reno, Nev.
Connie McDonald Jones Hardware Buhl, Idaho
Alittle while ago, a guy comes in and steals a drill. He was driving his boss’ company van and had the company name on his shirt. We used that information when we filed the report. The next day, I was outside taking care of some plants and the guy who stole the drill gave the drill back. That’s never happened before. It is pretty crazy to get the drill back. He still got in trouble, though.
Rose Fitzgerald O.D. Greene Lumber Adams, N.Y.
The Hardware Connection Century Club, sponsored by Intermatic Inc., recognizes “The Innovators and Survivors Who Helped Build America.” Our Century Club currently includes 757 hardware and LBM retailers, 16 wholesalers and 191 manufacturers that were founded in the United States of America and remain in business after 100 or more years.
You can find the complete list of Century Club members including old store photos and links to company history by clicking here. We congratulate the following 33 retailers who have been added to The Hardware Connection Century Club this year:
Allers Lumber Company, Lindenhurst, NY—1923
Anawalt Lumber & Hardware, Los Angeles, CA—1923
Andrews Ace Hardware, Citronelle, AL—1923
Arlington Coal and Lumber, Arlington, MA—1923
Bivens Hardware, Pickens, SC—1923
Canaan Hardware and Supply, Canaan, NH—1923
Caribou Jack’s Trading Company, Soda Springs, ID—1903
Carthage Hardware, Carthage, MO—1878
Christensen Lumber Company (now part of Kodiak Building Partners), Fremont, NE—1923
Davis-Hawn Lumber, Dallas, TX—1923
Duvall Ace Hardware & Garden, Duvall, WA—1912
Farr’s Hardware, Coquille, OR—1916
Gasser Hardware & Farm Supply, Boscobel, WI—1923
Gerretsen Building Supply (div. of TAL Holdings), Roseburg, OR—1923
Heuser Hardware, Jeffersonville, IN—1923
Jim’s Point Marion Hardware, Point Marion, PA—1903
LeVahn Brothers Plumbing and Hardware Hank, Maple Grove, MN—1923
Liberty Lumber Yard, New Orleans, LA—1923
Markel Lumber Company, New Orleans, LA—1923
Maxwell’s Hardware, Downingtown, PA—1897
McDougald’s, Clarkton, NC—1917
Morrison Terrebonne Lumber, Houma, LA—1923
Mt. Pleasant Hardware, Providence, RI—1923
Nitterhouse Masonry & Hardware Supply, Chambersburg, PA—1923
Olson’s Ace Hardware (formerly Dressel’s Hardware), Oak Park, IL—1923
P.C. Smith & Son Hardware, Saugerties, NY—1914
Pilot Lumber Company, Bellevue, KY—1919
Prince Lumber, Newark, NJ—1923
San Antonio Lumber, San Antonio, FL—1923
Schneider Hardware, West Orange, NJ--1923
Shattuck Heights Hardware (formerly Wanamaker Hardware), Arlington, MA—1923
Shelly’s Building Supply (now part of US LBM), Telford, PA—1923
Smith Lumber Company, Valley City, ND—1923
Sales and customer counts in 2023: Good. Customer count is up but sales dollars are down, because what we were selling at $50 is now selling for $25. Interest rates have affected our market the most of anything. Are you seeing an increase in shoplifting? How are you combating it? No, for us we have not seen that problem. We have a pretty good security system. Plus, we greet customers when they come in the door, acknowledge them, ask how we can help and go with them to get the products. That does away with shoplifting. Our personal service has the benefit of curbing shoplifting.
New initiatives for 2023: We are not planning any major changes. We did pick up a new product this week and are constantly looking to add new lines. We brought in a new line of engineered floor joists. As far as challenges, the biggest one is the amount of paperwork, rules and regulations that we didn’t have to do 50 years ago. Back then, we made a deal and
shook hands and a deal was a deal. Now, we have to sign our names 25 times on everything.
Strongest niche categories: Quality service. It’s hard to beat Home Depot on price, but our service is what customers value. Our customer base is one-third contractor, one third do-it-yourselfers and one-third retail.
Jim Bishop
Vesta Lee Lumber & Hardware Bonner Springs, Kan.
Sales and customer counts in 2023: Sales are about where we were last year. Customer count is down about 2 percent. I was a little concerned with the economy and coming down from the boom during COVID. I
and deliver to the customers. We’re building a good business with batterypowered power tools, snowblowers and zero-turn lawnmowers. The EGO brand of power equipment has been big for us, but we also sell a lot of Stihl, Milwaukee and DeWalt. Grills are a growing category with Big Green Egg and Traeger.
Rose Fitzgerald
O.D. Greene Lumber
Adams and Sackets Harbor, N.Y.
have been pleasantly surprised that things are going well.
New initiatives for 2023 and biggest challenges facing your business: Right now, we are trying more inventory control. During COVID, we just had to order, order, order. Now we need to get a better handle on inventory. For challenges, theft is certainly on our minds in both our stores. We have been in business for many years and theft has become more of an issue in the last year or two.
Strongest niche categories: Docks and boat lifts. We assemble
Sales and customer counts in 2023: They are down quite a bit. We had an exceptionally good year last year, and this year we are down almost 50 percent. We have also had a lot of wet weather this year. Lumber prices have dropped a lot and interest rates have played a major effect on builders. With mortgage rates increasing, consumers have taken a step back.
Are you seeing an increase in shoplifting? No, we’re more of a pro contractor yard with about 95 percent of our customers being contractors, so it is really not an issue.
New initiatives for 2023 and biggest challenges facing your
Sunrise Builders Supply, founded in 1996, was acquired by Kodiak Building Partners in October 2022.
business: No expansions, it’s more about looking for efficiencies in operations and simplifying what we do. We want to cut down on mistakes and returns. It is challenging getting younger people to do the type of work we do out in the yard.
Strongest niche categories: Framing lumber for new home builders.
Charles Thomas Sunrise Builders Supply, div. of Kodiak Building Partners Arlington, Tenn., and Horn Lake, Miss.
Sales and customer counts in 2023: They have been pretty darn good for the situation we are in. We are in a small town of about 3,500, mostly farmers and ranchers. Compared to last year, we are running about even.
Are you seeing an increase in shoplifting? No. It is not much of a problem.
New initiatives for 2023 and biggest challenges facing your business: We’ve been here about 44
years. We found that as the farmers and ranchers go, we go. If they do poorly, we do poorly. Staffing has not been a problem. I have three employees: two have been here for 15 years, another for about five years. Pricing has been an issue. It seems like everything keeps going up every month.
Strongest niche categories: We do a bit of everything as a lumberyard and hardware store. The closest other hardware store is 27 miles away. The closest Home Depot is 60 miles away. For niches, we sell a lot of barbed wire, fencing staples and fence posts.
Dan Robertson Hoch Lumber Yuma, Colo.
Sales and customer counts in 2023: In January, we were up huge with all the snow. Reno had the highest snowfall in its recorded history. So, it has been a very odd year. In January, we were up more than 30 percent. February was about the same as last year. March and so far in April, we are down about 20 percent. Now, the snow will not go away, so we are still waiting on spring to spring.
Are you seeing an increase in shoplifting? How are you combating it? I don’t believe we are. I have not found an increasing number of empty packages, which is the lead-
ing indicator of shoplifting. We are understaffed like everybody else and have a camera system with 14 cameras. We have monitors above cash registers, and we try to keep an eye on the higher-value items.
New initiatives for 2023 and biggest challenges facing your business? I’m 60 years old, so I don’t know if I do “new.” Reno is an interesting market. We have been on the radar now for several years, tabbed as potential for a hyper-growth area. Right now, there is a new Ace store 45 minutes north, but I’m the only Ace in all of Reno. There has been incredible interest from a whole bunch of people. Five years from now, there may be eight Ace stores in Reno. There will be plenty of market here and all stores will do just fine.
Inflation is the number one challenge. If we continue to mark up prices, people will start adjusting
their buying habits. People come to this store because they need to fix something and do not care that it is a dollar more. That’s our market. At some point, people will start shopping around more, but I’m not seeing it just yet.
We went premium brand with grills and power equipment before it was cool to go premium brand. We are a platinum Big Green Egg dealer and have been selling them for 12 years. My second big niche is Stihl power equipment. I wanted to sell Stihl because I didn’t want to sell junk. I think as a retailer I have a responsibility not to sell anything I would refuse to use. Another area that has done well is our made-in-America products. The customers appreciate those products. Tim Carter Carter Bros. Ace Hardware Reno, Nev.
Midwest Fastener’s
BuildRight® brand offers a wide range of high-quality yet affordable fasteners within their product lines, such as SaberDrive and SaberDrive Platinum. These fasteners, including drywall screws, deck screws and framing screws, are specifically designed for interior and light-duty construction projects. Click here to learn more about Midwest Fastener. We recently had the opportunity to review the BuildRight Star Drive Deck Screws. These screws are equipped with a type-17 cutting tip, a star drive and an exterior coating. The exterior coating is particularly recommended for use with treated lumber and has demonstrated superior performance compared to HDG (Hot-Dip Galvanized). The screws are available in both boxes and tubs, catering to projects of any size.
By Craig Cope
To gather feedback, we provided test samples to a local contractor who was building a deck. The contractor and his crew reported no issues and confirmed that the screw performed as expected. They were pleasantly surprised when we informed them that BuildRight screws are designed to be an economical fastener solution, without compromising on quality. Adding the BuildRight brand to any fastener aisle would provide customers with a well-rounded product mix, offering options that range from good to better to best.
Over the past few years, we have had the opportunity to review a host of STIHL products and they never disappoint. The design and build quality are always exceptional and deliver impressive cutting performance consistently. The STIHL HTA 135 Pole Pruner paired with the AP 500 S 36V battery is a winning combination.
The HTA 135 is a pro-grade, batterypowered telescoping pole pruner delivering gas-powered performance. The pruner features a 13’ telescoping pole but is extremely well-balanced to reduce user fatigue. The HTA utilizes the same shaft as the gas-powered HT 131 and HT 135, delivering superior cutting performance. Click here to see a quick company video.
The HTA 135 offers a host of professional features, including a brushless motor, clear bar and chain oil tank, and a foot mount for resting the machine on the ground without damaging the motor housing. Our test model came with the AP 500 S—the most powerful battery in the AP System, providing the best power-to-weight ratio.
We supplied our sample to an active DIY homeowner with a host of trees
on the property requiring routine trimming. Their review ticked off all the key features—lightweight (19 pounds), superior battery performance, variable-speed control, superior build quality, and, most importantly, safety. The last part caught me slightly off guard until I asked a few follow-up questions. This owner previously used a combination of a manual pruner with an extension ladder. He mentioned that on more than one occasion he almost fell.
The HTA 135 is an outstanding prograde pruner that will serve either the professional or demanding homeowners. If you are a STIHL dealer, the HTA 135 and AP 500 S 36V battery are must-stock items.
The Megapro Tools Original 15-in-1 Screwdriver is a story of how one man, Hermann Fruhm, had a poor experience one after noon with a tool so he created a better option. Hermann was using his multi-bit screwdriver when the endcap came off, and all the bits stored in the handle went everywhere. He was deter mined that there had to be a better solution for storing bits securely. This was the birth of the Megapro screwdriver.
The Megapro Screwdrivers feature a retractable bit cartridge storing S2 steel bits in all the popular sizes. The top has a rotating Palm-Saver Cap™ to add additional torque, but also to eliminate any damage to the user’s palm. Lastly, the handles are made of Ultra-Strong Triax™ and the com pany has not experienced one broken handle. Click here to learn more about Megapro directly from Hermann. We supplied our samples to a wide range of professional and DIY users for their thoughts. The most popular comment was the immediate feel of a “high-quality tool,” not some cheap imitation. A few of the testers were new to the Megapro
currently stock Megapro tools, ensure you take advantage of the new merchandising options. If you currently do not stock Megapro tools, complete the dealer inquiry by clicking here.
A new brand name is entering the independent hardware channel with two products scheduled to launch later this year. The new brand is named MULE, and the company launching it has more than 25 years of experience in the home hardware and ceiling fan industry.
The first product we could get our hands on is their Garage Fan, but click here to also learn about their Mobile Workshop, which will be coming to the market soon.
The MULE Garage Fan is a powerful swivel fan that can move 3300 CFM when on high. The fan has a 6″ and 12″ downrod to maximize placement, and the standard three-prong plug
attached to a 96″ cord eliminates the need for hard wiring. The fan is also Damp Rated, ensuring years of service. We supplied fans to a group of DIY homeowners searching for an easy solution to working in the South Florida heat. All of our testers commented on the easy and straightforward installation, especially considering the fan does not need to be hardwired or installed with special tools. Stay tuned to future issues for updates on when the Garage Fan is available for orders and our review of the MULE Mobile Workshop. n
intuitive and reliable system includes EDI communication with vendors to help you stay on top of margins in today's market. That’s why Retail Automation has been the go-to software for LBM and Hardware stores for over 20 years!
“Where Relationships Are Formed”
AUGUST 18-20
HERE TODAY!
Meet colleagues and new friends at the industry’s largest conference for independent hardware retailers. Share ideas with top retailers on how to grow your business, interact with key vendors on how to increase sales in your store and attend educational seminars, all-industry cocktail receptions and dinners in an exclusive 5-star resort setting.
Epicor will offer full-day, hands-on training sessions for their retailers. Bring your tablet or laptop so you can log right into your store as you learn new “tips and tricks” to make your POS software more productive in your store.
Honor the Industry’s Best Retailers at the 2023 Beacon Awards
The Beacon Awards are an important recognition program that honors the best of the best dealers who represent the future of the industry.
Sponsors: Wholesale Sponsors: FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT ATTENDING THE BEACON AWARDS ALONG WITH ALL OTHER EDUCATIONAL SEMINARS, OPEN FLOOR DISCUSSIONS AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES AT THE HARDWARE CONFERENCE, VISIT WWW.THEHARDWARECONFERENCE.COM
By Chris Jensen and Doug Donaldson
Amajor trend sweeping the country since the pandemic started is a big uptick in retail theft. Retail crime rings are targeting big-box and independent home improvement stores. Retailers are finding it increasingly difficult to combat the rise in shoplifting. Getting caught is often just a misdemeanor and there is little fear of prosecution or jail time. For examples, thieves have to steal goods worth at least $950 for it to be deemed a felony in California. The threshold is $1,000 in New York. Roughly half the shoplifters who are caught get turned over to the police for prosecution, according to loss prevention experts.
Home Depot started testing a new method of loss prevention: power tools that don’t work unless they are activated at the checkout. Home Depot also employs security guards, known as
Jacobson’s Ace Hardware got a good response from the community when it posted these theft awareness signs.
asset protection specialists. Their job is to monitor security cameras, enforce shoplifting policies and work with local law enforcement. Home Depot employees face termination if they attempt to apprehend a shoplifter.
A 26-year-old security guard at Home Depot in Pleasanton, Calif., was just
doing his job when he was shot and killed in April after confronting a woman who had allegedly stolen a phone charger.
In March, a thief used a hammer to smash the window at Duncan’s Ace Hardware in Linden, Tenn., after midnight, stealing three boxes of power tools.
This past October, an 83-year-old cashier at a Home Depot in North Carolina was assaulted after being roughly pushed to the ground by a fleeing robber. He died six weeks later from his injuries and a suspect was arrested in January and charged with murder and robbery.
These incidents are all part of a disturbing trend. According to the 2022 National Retail Security Survey from the National Retail Federation, eight in 10 retailers reported increased incidents of violence and aggression in the past year.
Darren Jones, owner of AgriShop Ace Hardware in Tacoma and Auburn, Wash., has seen a steady spike in shoplifting.
“Shoplifting is rampant,” Jones says. “We were just discussing what we’ve found stolen in the past week.”
Each week about $200 to $300 worth of merchandise goes missing. The most frequently targeted items at AgriShop have been bolt cutters, automotive tools, hand tools and electrical switches.
Peter’s True Value in Michigan posted a video and pictures of two thieves running out the store with stolen merchandise. They were later apprehended.
Theft took a potential lethal turn at AgriShop’s Tacoma location. A robber came in early in the morning brandishing a gun and stole the money in the till.
“We have a large homeless population near us, so whatever they can grab and sell gets stolen,” Jones says. “The automotive products are popular items to shoplift, because people are living in their cars.”
The most common way shoplifters steal products is to load up a shopping cart with several random items. Jones has his employees look for shoppers who are browsing the entire store, not looking for specific items and who decline help when asked. Another common ploy of shoplifters at AgriShop is to enter the store three at a time, then split up. Two shoplifters engage employees while the third looks for products to sneak out.
“My biggest frustration is that monitoring potential shoplifters ties up a couple staff members who would otherwise
McGuckin Hardware in Boulder, Colo., still keeps tools locked up despite employing two full-time security staffers.
be doing something productive like selling to another customer,” Jones says.
Some thieves have been less subtle. They have smashed windows and stolen power equipment while others have driven away lawnmowers. Jones estimates the business has lost up to $40,000 in the past year because of theft and damage.
The store has installed more locks on products, and Jones urges employees to be alert and walk the aisles more, paying closer attention to customers. During the past two years, Jones has spent more than $10,000 to beef up security. In addition to more cameras, Jones installed more fencing to protect bulk products and building materials stored outside. The fencing has stainless steel cables running through the chain links to deter cars from driving through. With an outdoor garden center, the store was also experiencing some theft of live plants, where thieves would reach inside and lift plants over the store fencing.
To prevent smash and grabs—where thieves drive cars into the doors, run in and grab what they can and leave—the store now places pallets of fertilizer in front of the front doors at closing time.
Jones recommends that other retailers connect with the local police department, which may conduct a free security review of a store. For example, the police suggested that Jones make some exterior lighting changes to eliminate dark spaces, and they also offered the idea of moving pallets in front of the front doors to prevent smash and grabs.
In the past 18 months, shoplifting has more than doubled at the six Jacobson’s Ace Hardware stores in western Wisconsin, with the bulk of incidents occurring in the Eau Claire stores. Owner Joel Jacobson estimates theft costs about $1,500 each month at each of the company’s locations.
Tools have been the primary target of thieves, with battery-operated SAWZALL® reciprocating saws particularly popular. Instead of having products on shelves, the store has started placing empty boxes. Customers then bring the box to the checkout and an employee retrieves the item from storage.
Jacobson says thieves will often come inside a store in pairs, one distracts a store employee while the other shoplifts.
To combat theft, Jacobson posted signs that read: “If you see something say something! Help Stop Retail Theft!”
At the bottom of the sign is the store’s logo. The signs have had such a positive response from customers that other nearby businesses have requested similar signs.
To make each store more secure, Jacobson has spent about $3,000 per location. He encourages staff to interact with customers and gauge any potential shoplifting threat. When customers shop the tool aisles, an employee now stays with them.
“The problem is that theft affects our good customers,” Jacobson says. “Now, paying customers have to wait for us to unlock an item or get it from the back. The process could turn a fiveminute trip to the hardware store into a 20-minute trip.”
For Jacobson, the additional security measures not only are an added expense but also detract from employees’ ability to help other customers.
“We’re no longer just here to serve customers and fill shelves,” Jacobson says. “We have to be constantly vigilant to watch for theft and then are spending a lot of time filling out lost merchandise paperwork, spending time reviewing camera footage and talking with the police department. It’s become a giant time suck.”
Jacobson has seen the benefits of stepping up monitoring. By enacting additional security measures, the stores send out the message to potential thieves that they aren’t an easy target. Jacobson has also seen overwhelming
AgriShop Ace Hardware continues to see increased levels of shoplifting at its two Washington stores.
public support with his sign campaign. Customers frequently voice their support, according to Jacobson.
Hardware and home improvement stores will continue to be a target for thieves, since they sell products such as power tools that can be easily fenced or sold online for good money.
“We help every customer and that is a big deterrent. We also know pretty quickly when something is missing. We have had an uptick in thefts, especially among expensive batteries for power tools. We made some adjustments with camera positioning,” says Rose Fitzgerald, manager of O.D. Greene Lumber in Adams, N.Y.
Fitzgerald adds, “Our biggest weapon is being helpful, so at the very least anyone who may be thinking about shoplifting will know we are there watching them. We also make sure to have two or three people opening and two or three people closing, so no one is alone. When it happens, it tends to be later in the day when less employees are around.”
A man and woman from Southern California were arrested in early May on an indictment charging them with conspiracy and 10 counts of wire fraud related to an organized retail theft scheme, announced U.S. Attorney Nick Brown. The pair traveled through 23 different states and hit nearly 200 stores causing more than $800,000 in losses, Brown said.
“Organized retail theft has exploded across the country, due in large part to the growth of an online resale marketplace,” said Brown. “We allege the coconspirators hatched a scheme to rent high-value construction equipment and then fail to return it. They allegedly sold the stolen goods on websites such as OfferUp and Facebook Marketplace.”
According to the indictment, as early as March 2022, Jalen Thomas, 27, led a group including Armia Ta’Jae Timmons, 25, that allegedly traveled the U.S., stopping at home improvement stores and renting two types of expensive construction equipment: jumping jack tampers and vibratory plate compactors valued between $1,500 and $2,000 each.
The group used debit cards to make a small rental deposit for each machine and signed an agreement that if the equipment was not returned on time, they would pay mounting fees. They
used false identities and ruse telephone numbers to rent the equipment. They transported the stolen goods in vans and rental trucks.
In all, about 480 pieces of equipment were stolen from the home improvement stores. When stores tried to charge the debit account for the value of the equipment or the penalties incurred, they discovered there were insufficient funds to cover the debt. Thomas and Timmons then attempted to sell the stolen equipment at a steep discount on various online marketplaces.
The conspiracy count and the wire fraud counts are each punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
In another recent case, Caleb Hood was sentenced to four years in federal prison after pleading guilty to wire fraud. Over a three-year period, he fraudulently obtained merchandise valued at $202,659 from South Carolina home improvement stores. He would steal goods from a chain home improvement store and then return the merchandise at another one of the chain’s stores, claiming he didn’t have the receipt. He would then be given store credit, which was used to purchase more merchandise that could be sold online.
“We had a young guy grab a $399 Milwaukee combo kit and head toward the door. We got him stopped. Several times a week we have to play defense and sometimes a strong offense against shady characters,” said Scott Plummer of Plummer’s Ace Hardware in Farmington, Mo., in a recent post on Hardlines Digest.
Plummer said they have decided if a customer comes in with a backpack it stays at the checkout. He added, “We are also going to run a long cable through all of the Milwaukee and DeWalt cases that are sitting on a wide span. Been doing that for outside wheelbarrows forever, now inside—what a mess. If someone suspicious is in here too long we finally tell them, ‘get what you need or move on.’”
“Unfortunately, we have to keep two full-time security people on staff and still lock everything up,” adds Bill Harrison, technical operations manager for McGuckin Hardware in Boulder, Colo.
“This shoplifting mess is not restricted to homeless and addicts. You have to be on guard all the time,” points out Rick Schwartz of Schwartz Hardware in Fall River, Mass. “We have had well-to-do ladies and what we thought were regular shoppers, to carpenters and professional people (steal from us),” We use lock cases on sticky items, even padlocks and cameras surveillance in both the store and outside. If associates suspect
Coffeeville Building Supply in Alabama places a prominent sign by the front entrance letting customers know security cameras are in use.
something I encourage them to check the monitors—we’ve caught a few.”
Retailers such as Peter’s True Value in Milford, Mich., and Augusta Ace Hardware in Georgia post pictures and video of suspected shoplifters on social media, both to shame thieves and for help in identifying them. Here is video from a March 29 shoplifting incident at Peter’s True Value.
“We’re all pretty experienced with shoplifting, but I’ll add one point to consider. When anyone starts a commotion of any kind in your store—including a shoplifter that gets caught too easily or a slip and fall—you should automatically assume that this person is just a decoy,” advises Alan Talman, recently retired owner of Karp’s Hardware in East Northport, N.Y.
“Good shoplifters travel in pairs or packs. One member of the team creates a diversion, the other members hit the shelves hard. Try to train your team to ‘hold their positions’ and don’t let them all congregate on the commotion.” n
What started as an automotive supply store in Marshall, Minn., in 1947 is about to grow to 80 stores in 12 states. Runnings, still based in Minnesota, recently reached an agreement to purchase R.P. Home & Harvest, which operates 22 stores and a distribution facility in four Midwest states.
“From the customers and the communities to the employees and vendors, we truly feel this is an excellent opportunity for everyone involved,” said Brian Odegaard, president of Runnings. “These stores and communities are very similar to the markets we presently serve and, after many discussions with R.P. Home & Harvest’s leadership, both companies knew this would be a great fit from a culture, values and operations standpoint.”
“Runnings has been doing this for over 75 years, and they are one of the top farm, home and outdoor-store companies in America, extremely wellregarded by customers and competitors,” said Jason Plummer, president of R.P. Home & Harvest. “We are both family-owned companies and that means a lot to us. This deal would not have come together if we did not have the utmost
Upper: Runnings held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new store in Wellsville, N.Y., on May 4.
Lower: More than 40 employees were hired for the new Runnings store in Wellsville, N.Y.
confidence that Runnings will do a phenomenal job for all stakeholders.”
The deal is scheduled to close in June. The stores will continue operating as R.P. Home & Harvest for a limited period of time as Runnings transitions the stores to their retail brand.
“I have personally visited many of the R.P. Home & Harvest stores, and I was thoroughly impressed, especially with some of the team members I encountered,” said Odegaard. “We can’t wait to
add these stores and the R.P. Home & Harvest team members to our growing company.”
The R.P. Home & Harvest stores had operated as a subsidiary of R.P. Lumber Co. since being acquired through the bankruptcy process in 2021. After decades of operation as Big R, the stores had been acquired in 2018 and renamed Stock + Field.
In 1988, a group that included Dennis and Adele Reed purchased Runnings, which remains a privately held retailer. Runnings now sells everything from clothing, footwear and sporting goods to farm and animal supplies, toys and housewares. More than 35 Runnings stores sell firearms. It operates with the marketing slogan of Runnings: Your Home, Farm and Outdoor Store.
In 2014, the company expanded into the Northeast by opening three stores in upstate New York. In early 2020, Runnings acquired seven stores and a distribution center from Campbell’s Supply Company, based in Sioux Falls, S.D.
Earlier this month, Runnings held a grand opening for its 11th store in New York in Wellsville. The 94,000-squarefoot location is a former Kmart store acquired by the company last June, after the building had been vacant since 2018. The company has a long tradition of taking over shuttered locations and remodeling them to meet the community’s needs. n
Upper: This Runnings store in Baker, Mont., is one of many that sells fishing supplies.
Middle: Runnings sells guns and ammunition in 35 stores.
Lower: Runnings is acquiring 22 R.P. Home & Harvest stores.
TAL Holdings, one of the fastestgrowing family-owned building material centers in the Pacific Northwest, announced an agreement in principle to acquire Ennis Lumber Company and Beaverhead Home Center, a two-store chain in western Montana.
TAL Holdings is acquiring Ennis Lumber Company and Beaverhead Home Center in Montana.
region and bring with it a wonderful group of employees,” Blair added.
“We are thrilled to have Ennis Lumber Company and Beaverhead Home Center join the TAL family,” said Jason Blair, CEO of TAL. “Their legacy of excellence, coupled with our shared values and passion for customer service, will make this partnership a perfect fit.”
In 1995, Greg and Robin Winden founded Beaverhead Home Center in Dillon, Mont. Ennis Lumber Company, formerly known as Madison Lumber and located in Ennis, Mont., combined its operations with Beaverhead Home Center in 2012.
Greg Winden, said, “We’re excited to partner with TAL, as their commitment to quality and service aligns with our values.”
In early June 2023, TAL will officially welcome both Ennis Lumber Company and Beaverhead Home Center into its growing family of retail brands, where the stores will continue to operate under their current names.
“This addition will strengthen our presence in the Western Montana
With this latest acquisition, TAL’s footprint will expand to 32 locations across Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.
In April, TAL Holdings announced the acquisition of Harbor Rental and Saw Shop in Friday Harbor, Wash. “This acquisition will allow us to diversify our business profile, expand our service offerings, and better support the San Juan Island community,” Blair said. “By incorporating Harbor Rental and allocating millions of dollars towards the renovation of Browne’s Home Center, which is also situated in Friday Harbor, we demonstrate our dedication to helping build better communities for many years into the future.”
Based in Vancouver, Wash., TAL Holdings’ family of brands includes Badger Building Center, Bayview Building Supply of Elma, Best Built Builders Supply, Browne’s Home Center, Gerretsen Building Supply, Harbor Rental and Saw Shop, Lake Chelan Building Supply, Marson and Marson Lumber, Midway Building Supply, Miller’s Home Center, Mount Vernon Building Center and Tum-A-Lum Lumber. n
By Chris Jensen
Astar is born in the hardware industry. Meet Daniel, the feline attraction who has turned Shoppers True Value Hardware in South Portland, Maine, into a viral sensation while injecting a new sense of excitement into the business.
Daniel was “hired” in February 2022, rescued from a shelter by Jessica Simpson, who co-owns the store with her father, Tom.
Despite a tendency to sleep on the job, Daniel has become beloved by customers and now has fans all over the country.
“It was just supposed to be for fun,” explains Manager Lauren Springer, who spearheads their social media efforts that now prominently feature Daniel on TikTok, Instagram and Facebook. “It’s
Lower Right: Daniel, the Shoppers True Value Hardware shop cat, has become a viral sensation, with 67,700 followers on TikTok.
Lower Left: Jessica and Tom Simpson with Daniel and Bigfoot.
Upper Right: Sending out Valentine’s cards to all his admirers is a little time-consuming.
hard to get customers engaged, especially the younger generation. It’s a way to show we’re a fun place to shop.”
“I played around with TikTok and it seemed to work and it’s taken off,” says Springer. Daniel now has 67,700 followers on TikTok and those videos have been viewed more than 2.5 million times. “You could say he’s gained some traction,” she adds.
You can follow Daniel on TikTok at shoppers_ hardware and join 1,900 followers on Facebook here. This TikTok video featuring Daniel has been viewed more than 573,000 times. This video of a news story about Daniel has been viewed nearly 1 million times.
As Springer points out, “Daniel has such a strong and unique personality. He’s very laid back and introverted but up for anything. He has no problem with you putting a bow tie or outfit on him.”
She adds, “There was a little girl and all she wanted to do for her second birthday was see Daniel. So, she came in and saw him and was overjoyed. A lot of regular customers come in nearly every day just to see him.”
Upper: Daniel is the featured attraction for Ladies Night.
Lower Middle Left: This illustration of Tom Simpson and Daniel serves as the store’s logo now.
Lower Middle Right: Buttons, stickers, magnets and t-shirts featuring Daniel are now sold and shipped all over the country.
Bottom: Daniel knows when it’s time to cozy up to Owner Jessica Simpson.
Shoppers True Value Hardware has been in the Simpson family since 1955. “As an older business, we faced the challenge of how to attract younger customers,” Jessica notes. “Lauren is very creative and we take plenty of pictures and videos to share with Daniel’s fans.”
The TikTok videos attract national and even global attention, while the store’s Facebook posts play locally. “It’s definitely helped us bring in some customers and build new sales. Even young kids come in after school to see Daniel and they see it’s more than just a hardware store. Our Instagram (with 4,750 followers) has gained quite a bit,” Springer says.
Not surprisingly, Daniel has been named Employee of the Month and is the featured attraction for the store’s Ladies Night event.
Daniel has been featured on an entire line of merchandise including buttons, stickers, magnets and t-shirts. “We’ve shipped stickers and t-shirts all over the country. We just placed our third order for shirts,” Springer says. She designed
Upper Left: Tom Simpson enjoys spending quiet time with Daniel and now Bigfoot.
Upper Right: Daniel was proud to be named Employee of the Month.
Bottom Right: Daniel has a new partner to help ease his workload around the store—Bigfoot.
an illustration that features Tom with Daniel, and that’s now their store logo and Facebook profile picture.
“Daniel has a very expressive face, so it’s easy to come up with settings to showcase him,” Springer points out.
Daniel has a new feline friend who he has been training—Bigfoot, who they’ve had full time for about a month. “Bigfoot is not as laid back. We’re pretty sure Bigfoot will be sticking around but haven’t made an official announcement yet,” she says.
Both cats live in the store. “They’re waiting by the door when we come in each morning,” Springer says.
Daniel has played a major role as a therapy cat, helping the family deal with tragedy and loss. “Tom is quiet and very reserved, so it’s been nice to see him engage with customers over Daniel,” says Springer.
Tom’s wife died in 2011 after battling ALS, then he lost his son Michael (who worked at the store) in 2019 after a 13-year battle with brain cancer. Then Jessica’s son, Carter, was diagnosed with a brain tumor. “Carter is healthy and thriving now, which is an absolute miracle. Daniel makes Tom happy and smile again, which is the most important thing. He’s very sweet around him,” Springer says.
Right: Being featured on the front page of the local paper is no big deal to Daniel.
Upper Left: This customer wanted a selfie with Daniel so he could show off to his granddaughter.
Adds Jessica, “The biggest difference is how much softer Dad has become. He’s 74 and he’s so excited to come into the store now to see Daniel. Daniel has a lot of my brother’s personality in him. Our family has had some challenging times, and Daniel has made such a difference to us all.”
Tom comes in each morning and enjoys a cup of coffee while spending quiet time with Daniel. Then Daniel reports to work, hanging out by the register or the paint counter or trying to show Bigfoot the ropes.
“It brings a welcoming atmosphere to the store,” says Jessica. “There are some customers who can’t have pets at home for various reasons, but they can come into our store and spend a few minutes with Daniel and now Bigfoot.” n
The Hardware Connection provides a pictorial look at the many dogs and cats that serve as store pets and mascots. Send pictures of your store pets to chris@thehardwareconnection.com.
April 2023: Striving for 5-Star Experiences at Hagan Ace—As Hagan Ace Hardware opens its 11th location in north Florida, the company builds on four generations of retail hardware experience by embracing new technology and remaining true to business principles that have sustained the company for six decades.
March 2023: How to Revitalize and Reinvent Business with C/I Sales — With new, bolstered ecommerce capabilities, the current generation of Hacienda Home Center leadership saved a New Mexico family business by cultivating commercial, industrial and government customers.
Jan/Feb 2023: Solenberger’s True Value Hardware: Surviving and Adapting for 135 Years—Learn more about Solenberger’s True Value Hardware in Winchester, Va., which has been adapting and thriving for 135 years under five different generations of Solenberger family leadership.
December 2022: Has Costello’s Ace Found the Key to Long-Term Growth?—Learn more about Costello’s Ace Hardware’s ambitious goal to operate 75 stores doing $250 million in sales by 2025 and the strategies to reach that level.
November 2022: Fourth Generation Helps Position Century Club Retailer for Next 100 Years—With a new, expanded store, Hermann Lumber celebrated its 100-year anniversary this autumn as a new generation moves into management of this fourth-generation hardware business.
September/October 2022: Shining the Spotlight on the Best New Stores—See the Beacon Award winners for 2022. Vassar Building Center, owned by Mike and Brenda MacKay in Michigan, served as the prototype store for Do it Best’s new store design program. Phil and Deanna Cheeves designed a new store, Hometown Hardware in Senoia, Ga., that attracts a diverse customer base.
Sales of Construction Fasteners (Independent Hardware Channel)
12 Months % Change vs. Year Ago
Source:
Epicor’s Industry Data Analytics tracking information is based on sales from a representative sample of hardlines retailers located throughout the U.S. For more information, call 512-278-5800 or email
Epicor’s Industry Data Analytics epicorindustryanalytics@epicor.com
Upper Left: El Obrero Hardware, Richmond, Va.
Middle Left: Riles Home Hardware, Linton, Ind.
Lower Left: McKay’s True Value, Phoenix
Upper Right: Neu’s Hardware, Menomonee Falls, Wis.
Middle Right: Family Hardware, Cape Coral, Fla.
Lower Right: Farmer’s Pro Hardware, London, Ky.
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• Mitchell Nolan opened Fallon Hardware in Albany, Ga.
• Shaynen Schmidt has acquired Alexandria Ace Hardware in Alexandria, Minn., and Ace Hardware in Long Prairie, Minn., from Mike and Rocqui Gustafson.
• Carl Simpson opened his fifth Simpson Ace Hardware in Lake City, S.C.
• McCoy’s Building Supply is opening a new store in Lubbock, Texas.
• The Helpful Hardware Company acquired North Hall Ace Hardware in Gainesville, Ga., from Chris and Angela Delong and Bethlehem Ace Hardware & Hallmark in Hickory, N.C., from Randy and LaShae Bock.
• Jeff and John Peck and John and Jennie Hamilton opened Brunswick True Value Hardware in Brunswick, Ohio.
• Home Building Materials opened in Sulphur, La.
Home Building Materials
• Matt Schafer has opened Ace Hardware Lake Isabella in Lake Isabella, Mich.
• Harris Ace Hardware in Brevard, N.C., was sold to McNeely Companies.
Heuser Ace Hardware of Pawleys Island
• Bobby, Bob and Renee Heuser celebrated a grand reopening of Heuser Ace Hardware of Pawleys Island (S.C.), formerly Palmetto Ace.
• Coborn’s Inc. is acquiring 11 Sullivan’s Foods grocery stores and a convenience store along with 3 Ace Hardware stores in Illinois.
• Colmar Home Center has opened its third location in Cape May Court House, N.J.
• S&H Farm Supply opened its 6th location in Lebanon, Mo.
• E&H Ace Hardware opened in Hamilton, Ohio.
• Jason and Jarred Coburn opened Ace Southern Lumber and Hardware in Pine Level, Ala.
• John Strainer is the new owner of Henne Hardware, a Century Club retailer in New Braunfels, Texas.
Home Centers
• Gillman Home Centers opened its 15th store in Muncie, Ind.
• Brian and Kim Kaminski are the new owners of Main Hardware and Discount Pool Supply in WilkesBarre, Pa.
• Chad Spinks opened his fourth Ace Hardware in Madison, Ga.
• David and Kim Mitchell have acquired Fox Hardware in Penacook, N.H., from Ana McKenna.
• The King and Kopetsky families are acquiring Hardware Hank & Flooring in Le Mars, Iowa, and renaming it Le Mars Ace Hardware.
• John LaRue held a grand reopening for a new location for Union Grove Hardware in Harmony, N.C., which briefly closed last year.
• Skip King is opening his 8th Ace Hardware in Sidney, Mont.
• Sunshine Ace Hardware opened its 12th store in Naples, Fla.
• Westlake Ace Hardware is building a new store in Lee’s Summit, Mo.
• Ramsey’s Whatever Store in Enid, Okla., is marking its 40th anniversary.
• Alexandria Ace Hardware in Alexandria, Minn., is marking its 50th anniversary.
• City True Value Hardware & Rental Owner Joe Englert donated $12,000 to Brian’s Angels Homeless Outreach in Bristol, Conn.
• Illinois Valley Building Supply in Cave Junction, Ore., is marking its 50th anniversary.
• Meagan McCoy Jones, president and CEO of McCoy’s Building Supply, was recognized as the 2023 Texas Unity Dinner honoree by the Lumbermen’s Association of Texas.
• Berry’s Paint, Hardware & Flooring in Homestead, Fla., is marking its 50th anniversary.
• Sam Collins, fifth-generation president of Century Club retailer S.W. Collins and past chair of the University of Maine board of trustees, delivered the commencement address for the University of Maine at Presque Isle on May 6 and received an honorary doctor of humane letters degree.
• Jack and Michele Rieke of Shafer’s Ace Hardware in Eureka, Calif., were the parade
grand marshals for the 2023 Rhododendron Parade, which honored hometown heroes.
• Hancock Lumber was honored as 2023 Maine Retailer of the Year by the Retail Association of Maine.
• Randy Kwist, retired vice president-sales for Epicor and ECI, was recently inducted into the Eckerd College Athletics Hall of Fame. He was a three-year member of the men’s soccer team and led the baseball team to four consecutive NCAA appearances, finishing as the national runner-up in 1979. A third baseman, Randy was named first-team ABCA All American as a senior. He was drafted by the Yankees in the 12th round of the 1978 MLB draft and spent one season in the minors both as a pitcher and in the field.
has been named to the board of directors for HD Supply Holdings.
• Lisa Markowski has been promoted to vice president of marketing and customer experience, Nick Worrell to senior insights manager and Dwight Samson to vice president of warehouse operations and logistics at United Hardware.
• Do it Best promoted Ryan Stopher to merchandise managerelectrical, Chris Snyder to associate merchandise managerpaint and paint sundries, Stephanie Lyons to associate merchandise manager-building materials and Jordan Montgomery to manager of special projects.
• Jean Fahy, formerly LBM division manager of business development for Do it Best, has joined Robert Weed Corp. as vice president of sales.
• Andrew Campbell was named chief information officer for US LBM.
• Tim Leupold has been named president and CEO of Your Building Centers in Pennsylvania.
• L.S. Starrett named Charles Starrett as product manager.
• Ryan Helfenberger was named project manager for House-Hasson Hardware.
• John Hartmann, formerly president and CEO of True Value Company,
• A Few Cool Hardware Stores named Craig Smith as CEO, with his Fairfax Ace Hardware store in Fairfax, Va., joining as the company’s 13th location.
• Harvey Gerstman Associates has promoted Charlie Gerstman to president.
• Robert Williams Jr. is retiring from Williams Hardware in Poultney, Vt., and selling the business to new owners.
• John Sullivan, vice president-retail
development at HouseHasson Hardware, has retired after spending nine years with the company. He previously served 10 years as vice president at Distribution America and spent 25 years owning hardware stores in Texas and Tennessee.
• Edward McGreen has been named CEO at Kreg Tool Co.
• Ace Hardware ranked as the 6th most trustworthy retail company in America, according to Newsweek’s Most Trustworthy Companies in America rankings. Tractor Supply ranked #10, True Value #20, Menard #44 and Do it Best #50.
• Hillman Solutions Corp. has opened a new 305,000-square-foot distribution hub in Belton, Mo., investing $3 million.
• Northeast STIHL has announced a multi-year sponsorship agreement with Fenway Park, home to the Boston Red Sox, to serve as the official outdoor power equipment outfitter for the facility.
IN MEMORY:
• Lamar Holder, former owner of Cloverland True Value Hardware in Montgomery, Ala., passed away April 7 at age 88.
• Doris Ashley, who formerly operated J & D Hardware in Albany
and Eaton, Ind., with her husband Jack, passed away April 4 at age 88.
• Robert “Bob” Nemo, who owned several Smith Ace Hardware stores in Atlanta, Ga., for nearly 30 years, passed away May 6 at age 86.
• Robert “Bob” Harrison, who served as president and later chairman during a 46year career with Indiana Lumbermens Mutual Insurance Co., passed away January 11 at age 92. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, earning a Combat Infantry Badge, two Bronze Service Stars and numerous other medals. His army stint interrupted eight years in the minor leagues with the New York Giants, Cleveland Indians and Baltimore Orioles and he later pitched in two major league games for the Orioles in 1955-56.
• Hardlines Distribution Alliance hosts distribution center workshop. Click here.
• Jim Lehrer retires from Brownsboro Hardware & Paint. Click here.
• Bliffert Lumber merges in Chase Lumber. Click here.
• John Mellencamp to perform at True Value Fall Reunion. Click here.
• STIHL sets revenue record. Click here.
IT BEST NAMES NEW DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS solicit their feedback. Each used FrogTape on multiple surfaces windows, baseboards and corners, and everyone was amazed by the clean lines usually only possible with pros. No one had any instance of paint bleed or difficulty removing the tape even after it stayed in place for over a week. If you currently do not stock FrogTape, then bring in a few SKUs of their Pro Grade Painter’s Tape and Pro Grade Orange Painter’s Tape, which offers highadhesion. ■
Do it Best has named Allison Meyer as its newest director of communications. In this role, Meyer leads a team focused on communicating the Do it Best story, which includes highlighting the programs, services and solutions that help independent home improvement retailers drive greater sales and profitability through their co-op partnership. She also manages the company’s strategies for effective internal and external communications, media relations, doitbestonline.com, social media, and digital and print affairs manager. For more information, click here.
House-Hasson Hardware Summer Dealer Market
June 16-17, Sevierville Events Center, Sevierville, Tenn.
National Lawn & Garden Show
June 13-14, Crowne Plaza Chicago
O’Hare Hotel & Conference Center, Rosemont, Ill.
spoga+gafa
June 18-20, 2023; Koelnmesse, Cologne, Germany
Orgill Online Fall Buying Event
July 31-August 13
International Istanbul Hardware Fair 2023
August 24-27, Istanbul Expo Center, Istanbul
The Hardware Conference
August 17-19, J.W. Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort, Marco Island, Fla.
Ace Hardware Fall 2023 Convention
September 19-21, Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Fla.
Blish-Mize Fall Dealer Market 2023
September 14-16, Overland Park Convention Center, Overland Park, Kan.
Bostwick-Braun North Fall Dealer Market 2023
September 20-22, Glass City Center, Toledo, Ohio
China International Hardware Show 2023
September 19-21, Shanghai International Expo Centre Shanghai, Pudong, China
Do it Best Fall Market
September 8-11, Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis
Florida Hardware Fall Dealer Market
August 25-26, Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld, Orlando, Fla.
Horizon Distribution 2023 Expo Virtual Trade Show
September 6-8
Monroe Hardware Fall In Store Virtual Dealer Market
September 11-29
True Value Fall Reunion
September 14-16, George R. Brown Convention Center, Houston
United Hardware Fall 2023 Buying Market
September 27-29, Mayo Civic Center, Rochester, Minn.
United Hardware Fall 2023 Buying Market (Virtual)
September 26-October 6
Wallace Hardware Fall Dealer Market
September 26-28. Sevierville Events Center, Sevierville, Tenn.
For a complete listing of calendar dates, click here.
Westlake Ace Hardware recently introduced a program to recognize its store associates and celebrate the work they do in communities across America. Helpful Hearts focuses on associates who are doing the unexpected—always finding ways to help others, choosing to live their lives with integrity and striving to be role models in the communities they serve.
“Helpful Hearts speaks to who we are as a company and our core values of service, passion, respect, integrity, teamwork and excellence,” says Joe Jeffries, president and CEO of Westlake Ace Hardware.
Jeffries added, “We’re a neighbor first, retailer second—and neighbors always help neighbors.”
Recent Helpful Hearts honorees include:
• Rob Tynes is general manager of Westlake’s store in Roswell, N.M., and the inaugural Helpful Hearts honoree.
During his first year as general manager of the store, Tynes was looking for fresh ideas on how his store could give back to the local community of Roswell. Being very passionate about helping the underserved, especially
Upper: Westlake General Manager Rob Tynes makes Christmas special for kids in his Roswell, N.M., community.
Bottom: Westlake Head Cashier Ella Scott shows her strong heart and giving spirit in her Wichita, Kan., community.
children, he created a new multi-faceted event called “A Merry Westlake Christmas.” Working with a local preschool, the store adopted 20 children for the holidays. Each child filled out a Santa wish list, and Rob began brainstorming ideas to make the kids’ holiday dreams come true.
• Bill Say is general manager of one of Westlake’s stores in the Kansas City area. He knows what it means to have a Helpful Heart—both inside his store and with the Kansas Cityarea refugee community. In 2017,
his family founded Once We Were Refugees (OWWR). The organization provides tuition-free, nine-week sewing classes to refugees in the Kansas City metro area. After graduation, each refugee is provided with a sewing machine and other supplies to get started in a career. To date, more than 200 students have graduated from the program, many going on to learn additional skills to use industrial sewing equipment, gain employment and support their families.
• Ella Scott, head cashier at a Westlake Ace store in Wichita, Kan., is widely known as a giving person. While Christmas shopping, Scott found a deal on socks, hats and gloves that was too good to pass up. Along with Mike Thornton, store general manager, they bought 100 of each item and distributed the cold-weather supplies to people standing outside a local shelter waiting to receive a warm meal. Scott and Thornton have also donated toiletry packages to the local women’s shelter and clothing to the Wichita Children’s Home.
Walker Brothers Hardware in Georgetown, S.C., celebrated its grand opening with a weekend full of giveaways and savings opportunities for
The Walker family recently held a grand opening event for Walker Brothers Hardware.
customers. The celebration started Friday, April 14 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, featuring representatives from the Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce.
Throughout the weekend, customers enjoyed free popcorn, prize drawings and giveaways. They were also provided in-store savings opportunities like $10 propane refills, and with the $1 purchase of a five-gallon bucket, attendees received a 20 percent discount on everything they could fit inside it.
“We’ve been humbled by the customer response,” said Owner David Walker. “Since we opened, the Georgetown community has been so supportive, and it was great to be able to return the favor with a fun, family-friendly event.”
Entrepreneurs and brothers David and Terry Walker aren’t new to the home improvement industry—or to the Georgetown area. They previously owned a store outside Nashville, Tenn., for several years, but decided to sell and move back to their hometown. Now, they operate this new Do it Best store alongside their spouses and children.
Horn’s Gloucester Ace in Gloucester, Va., is proud to showcase what makes their community special. In late April, the store unveiled a mural on an outside wall that was a year in the making.
“We reached out and asked members of the Gloucester community what said ‘Gloucester’ to them and took everyone’s suggestions to heart,” says Marketing and Promotions Manager Cammie Smith. “We hope when (customers) look at this mural they see Gloucester and just a few things that make it so special. We are so happy to be a part of this community.”
Las Vegas-based muralists Melanie Stimmell Van Latum and Mikayla Smith of We Talk Chalk-3D Street Painting designed and painted the 11 x 28 mural. They had been hired last year to paint a mural at Horn’s Northern Neck Ace Hardware in Kilmarnock, Va. The Gloucester mural features farm scenes, tractors, historical landmarks, daffodils and bees, while the Northern Neck mural also used a style reminiscent of an old-fashioned tourist postcard. n
Upper Left: A new mural was recently unveiled on the side of Horn’s Gloucester Ace in Gloucester, Va.
Upper & Lower Right: A “Greetings from the Northern Neck” mural was completed on the front of Horn’s Northern Neck Ace offices last year, while an ark of tools was completed on the side facing the store.
Eagle Scout Ean Deuschle constructed and donated a beautiful new flag depository at Hagan Ace Hardware in Orange Park (Blanding), Fla., shown here with Manager Mitch Turner (left).
70%
Percentage of retailers who believed the threat of ORC (organized retail crime) has increased during the past five years, according to the 2022 National Retail Security Survey from the National Retail Federation (NRF).
10.4%
Amount of fraudulent returns in 2022 as a percentage of total returns, according to Appriss Retail and NRF’s 2022 Returns Study.
16.5%
Average amount of merchandise returned as a percentage of total retail sales in 2022, according to Appriss Retail and NRF’s 2022 Returns Study.
12.7%
Percentage of buy online, return instore returns estimated to be fraudulent, according to Appriss Retail and NRF’s 2022 Returns Study.
26%
Percentage of total online purchases being returned to brick-and-mortar stores, according to Appriss Retail and NRF’s 2022 Returns Study.
70%
Percentage of paint customers applying their own interior paint, up from 65% in 2022, according to the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Paint Satisfaction Study. n
