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Vol. 69 • Issue 3 • September 2026 • PDRmag.com

Published by the North American Hardware and Paint Association

Moving the Channel Forward 2026 Young Retailer of the Year Honorees Focus on Growth and Excellence Page 14

2026

SEPTEMBER ISSUE SPONSOR Leadership Essentials Build confidence, understand your leadership style and develop the foundational skills needed to grow as leader and lead others.

Leading Your Team Strengthen communication, improve employee engagement and learn practical strategies for developing a high-performing team.

Financial Management Gain a clearer understanding of retail financial concepts and learn how to use key information to make smarter business decisions.

MERCHANDISING MANAGEMENT

Tactics for Store Operations

Training Built for Independents DESIGNED TO STRENGTHEN YOUR LEADERS AND YOUR BUSINESS The NHPA Foundations Program provides practical, accessible online training built specifically for independent home improvement retailers. Designed for current and emerging leaders, Foundations develops the skills to lead teams, strengthen operations and improve business performance—all through training that can be applied immediately.

Apply proven merchandising practices that improve the customer experience, strengthen execution and support sales.

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Mentoring Learn how to build effective mentoring relationships that develop employees, transfer knowledge and strengthen your leadership pipeline.

COMING SOON

Explore the Foundations Program and enroll your team—scan the QR code or visit YourNHPA.org/Foundations.

Foundations of Succession Planning Prepare your business for the future with practical guidance for developing leaders, transferring knowledge and planning a successful transition.

Vol. 69 • Issue 3 • September 2026 • PDRmag.com

Published by the North American Hardware and Paint Association

Moving the Channel Forward 2026 Young Retailer of the Year Honorees Focus on Growth and Excellence Page 14

INDEPENDENT HOME IMPROVEMENT CONFERENCE

SEPTEMBER 28-30, 2027 MARCO ISLAND, FL

Meet Us In Marco THE INDEPENDENT HOME IMPROVEMENT CONFERENCE RETURNS TO MARCO ISLAND We are excited to announce that the Independent Home Improvement Conference is heading back to one of the industry’s favorite destinations. Join independent retailers, wholesalers, service providers, manufacturers and industry leaders for three days of education, networking and collaboration designed to help you strengthen your business and connect with the independent channel. Be among the first to receive conference updates, registration announcements, speaker news and special offers.

U A RT

E RS

COMING IN OCTOBER

Engaging With Intentionality 1025 E. 54th St. Indianapolis, Indiana 317-275-9400 NHPA@YourNHPA.org YourNHPA.org COMMUNICATIONS Lindsey Thompson lthompson@YourNHPA.org Editor and Director of Content Development Jacob Musselman jmusselman@YourNHPA.org News & Digital Editor

Employee engagement doesn’t happen by accident—it grows from intentional leadership, clear communication and a workplace where employees feel valued. In the October issue of Paint & Decorating Retailer, discover practical strategies to build a more engaged team, improve retention and create a culture where employees are motivated to deliver exceptional customer service every day.

Annie Dameworth adameworth@YourNHPA.org Content Development Coordinator

OUR MISSION

The North American Hardware and Paint Association (NHPA) helps independent home improvement, paint and decorating retailers, regardless of affiliations, become better and more profitable retailers. NHPA EXECUTIVE STAFF Bob Cutter CEO Scott Wright President & Publisher Dan Tratensek Chief Operating Officer David Gowan Chief Financial Officer & Executive Vice President, Business Services

Autumn Ricketts Senior Designer

NHPA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Olivia Shroyer Marketing Manager Freda Creech Sales & Production Assistant

CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD Joanne Lawrie, Annapolis Home Hardware Building Centre, Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia

ASSOCIATION PROGRAMS

EXECUTIVE VICE CHAIRMAN Ash Ebbo, Clement’s Paint, Austin, Texas

Samantha Mitchell Production & Design Assistant

800-772-4424 | NHPA@YourNHPA.org Cody Goeppner cgoeppner@YourNHPA.org Director of Education & Training Jesse Carleton jcarleton@YourNHPA.org Training Manager & Editor Christina Kane ckane@YourNHPA.org Member Services & Event Coordinator

SALES Austin Vance avance@YourNHPA.org Director of Media Sales Jordan Rice 217-808-1641 | jrice@YourNHPA.org Regional Sales Director Jake Cutter 317-363-0776 | jcutter@YourNHPA.org Regional Sales Representative—Central Dan Beck 518-852-9624 | dbeck@YourNHPA.org Regional Sales Manager—West

CIRCULATION, SUBSCRIPTION & LIST RENTAL INQUIRIES

PAINT & DECORATING RETAILER Paint & Decorating Retailer (ISSN 0011_8910), Copyright © 2026 by the North American Hardware and Paint Association (NHPA), is published four (4) times per year (January, April, July, October) by the North American Hardware and Paint Association, 1025 E 54 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. Business and Editorial Offices: 1025 E 54 St. Indianapolis, IN 46220 Accounting and Circulation Offices: The North American Hardware and Paint Association, 1025 E 54 St., Indianapolis, IN 46220. Call 317-275-9400 to subscribe. Periodicals postage is paid at Indianapolis, IN and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Paint & Decorating Retailer, P.O. Box 16709, St. Louis, MO 63105-1209.

IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIRMAN Ned Green, Weider’s Paint & Hardware, Rochester, New York DIRECTORS Christian Herrick, Randy’s Do it Best Hardware, Jackson, Virginia Michelle Meny, Meny’s True Value, Jasper, Indiana Jeremy Peterson, Family Hardware, Florida Katie Prus, Abbotsford Paint and Decorating, British Columbia, Canada Michael Sacks, FLC Holdings, LaGrange, Texas Emily Wood, Wood’s Ace Hardware, Bolts & Brews SECRETARY-TREASURER Bob Cutter, NHPA

NHPA CANADA EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT Rebekah Doerksen Supply-Build Canada Direct: 204.953.1692 | Cell: 204.990.3536 Toll-Free: 1.800.661.0253 ext. 103 102-226 Osborne St. N. Winnipeg, MB R3C 1V4

CIRCULATION DIRECTOR Richard Jarrett, 314-432-7511, Fax: 314-432-7665 gcscs8@gmail.com

September 2026 | PAINT & DECORATING RETAILER

N T E N TS

Volume 69 | Issue 3 | September 2026 Paint&DecoratingRetailer

PDRMagazine

DEPARTMENTS

FEATURES

Association Viewpoint: Dan Tratensek..........................................4

A Lasting Impact........................................................ 26

Association Viewpoint: Lindsey Thompson �� 6 Industry Viewpoint: Curtis Gillman................................................... 8 Fresh Coat................................................................................................................ 9

Reconnect with past Young Retailer of the Year honorees as they reflect on how the recognition shaped their careers, influenced their leadership journeys and impacted their lives both professionally and personally.

New Products.................................................................................................... .10 Newsmakers.......................................................................................................46 Calendar.................................................................................................................48 Finish.........................................................................................................................50

14 COVER STORY

A New Generations of Excellence Celebrating its 30th anniversary, the NHPA Young Retailer of the Year program continues its tradition of recognizing the next generation of leaders in the independent home improvement channel. Meet and get to know this year’s eight outstanding retailers.

Takeaways That Matter......................................... 34 The curtain has closed on the 2026 Independent Home Improvement Conference but the practical best practices attendees gained are already making an impact back home. Discover all the highlights from the event.

Renters Welcome....................................................... 38 With a desire to DIY and the spending power to do so, renters are an untapped audience for many independent retailers. Learn how to appeal to renters with the right products and know-how.

Staying Clean............................................................... 42 Discover how one retailer is boosting profits and customer loyalty by strategically merchandising sponges, rags and cleaning products through effective displays and listening to customer recommendations.

PAINT & DECORATING RETAILER | September 2026

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CONNECT

dant@YourNHPA.org

Dan Tratensek

FROM THE ASSOCIATION

Where to Focus Future Growth

“I think it is important that all retailers begin to take a closer look at these KPIs because the importance of driving metrics in these areas is critical to holding onto profitability.”

fter passing the midpoint in the year, I’ve had the opportunity to speak to the industry on multiple occasions about the “state of the industry.” Everyone is curious on how overall retail is performing and what the last months of the year might have in store. And while I certainly don’t have a crystal ball, one point that I have made again and again in my presentations is that growth is simply going to be harder to come by this year and over the short term. When I say this I mean both top line growth and bottom line growth. On the top line, we are working against a lot of macroeconomic headwinds like affordability, interest rates and global conflict that are making organic expansion more difficult for many businesses. On the bottom line, independent retailers are facing many of the same challenges that have been present since the pandemic—wage inflation, increasing cost of goods and lower traffic counts. All of these challenges have conspired to drag net operating profits at independent retailers down for the past three years. While the average net profits retailers are posting today are still higher than pre-pandemic averages, the year-over-year declines we are seeing are troubling. With operating profits declining, we are also seeing progressive retailers shifting their focus onto new key performance indicators (KPIs) that better correspond to some of the challenges at hand. I think it is important that all retailers begin to take a closer look at these KPIs because the importance of driving metrics in these areas is critical to holding onto profitability. For example, taking a closer look at, and building growth plans around, KPIs like sales per employee, conversion rate, inventory turns and sales per square (or linear) foot directly attack the areas where retailers are experiencing the most pressure. As with any plan built around KPIs, the most foundational best practice for any retailer is to know where they stand relative to the performance of others in the industry. This is where the North American Hardware and Paint Association’s Cost of Doing Business Study comes in. The 2026 study will be available later this month so retailers have access to all the information they would need to start building their KPI improvement plans. If you aren’t familiar with the Cost of Doing Business Study or need help understanding how to access or utilize this information, I highly recommend you reach out to the team at NHPA who will be more than happy to help you get started. With the industry still middling along and external factors still weighing on growth, it is more critical now than ever to start planning how you can grow no matter what the economy throws at you.

Dan M. Tratensek Chief Operating Officer

PAINT & DECORATING RETAILER | September 2026

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CONNECT

lthompson@YourNHPA.org

Lindsey Thompson

FROM THE ASSOCIATION

Pursuing Excellence Over Perfectionism

T “These past honorees are prime examples of what it means to pursue excellence over perfectionism: always giving your all, looking beyond yourself and using setbacks as learning opportunities.”

he last few months, I’ve been thinking a lot about the idea of pursuing excellence more than perfection. Both a blessing and a curse, perfectionism has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I’ve always been concerned about not just doing things well, but doing things perfectly. These tendencies come in handy as I’m editing our publications and creating content for you all, but are also exhausting because I’m constantly putting myself down for not being perfect. Through a perfectionism lens, I see any mistakes as character flaws rather than learning moments and just part of being human. I read somewhere recently that “excellence is the healthy pursuit of continuous growth and personal standards, while perfectionism is a debilitating attempt to achieve flawlessness driven by a fear of failure and external judgment.” That hit me hard in the best way possible. I always want to give my best but sometimes that means it won’t be perfect, and that’s OK. That’s excellence. Because I make a mistake doesn’t mean I am a mistake. Those missteps are opportunities to try again, grow and mature in the process. I bring all of this up because this issue is where we honor our Young Retailer of the Year honorees, and when I think of people pursuing excellence, these honorees are at the top of the list. This year’s NHPA Young Retailer of the Year honorees, who you can meet on Page 14, share tons of examples of how they have excelled. They could also each tell you stories of trying and not quite getting it, but letting that be a learning experience and not a roadblock. In my conversations with the honorees, taking a leap of faith was a recurring theme, and each honoree has set their sights on growth and success, not for their sake, but for their operations, communities and the channel as a whole—that’s excellence! As it is the 30th anniversary of the Young Retailer of the Year program, in this issue, you’ll also hear from past honorees (Page 26) who share what the award meant to them personally and professionally and pass along words of wisdom to this generation of leaders in the channel. These past honorees are prime examples of what it means to pursue excellence over perfectionism: always giving your all, looking beyond yourself and using setbacks as learning opportunities. Please join me in congratulating these incredible retailers and thanking them for reminding me of the importance of excellence over perfectionism.

Lindsey Thompson Editor & Director of Content Development

PAINT & DECORATING RETAILER | September 2026

EASY APPLICATION SUPERIOR COLOR CONTROL

Old Masters® Wiping Stain provides easy application and a beautiful, uniform color on a variety of wood types.

myoldmasters.com | (800) 747-3436 | SCAN QR CODE FOR MORE INFORMATION

WP OI N

OPERATIONS

Service Strategies See where offering high levels of customer service matter most at PDRmag.com/improve-customer-experience.

FROM THE INDUSTRY

When the Whirlwind Takes Over

S About Curtis Curtis is a retail consultant and owner-operator with over 20 years of experience in the independent hardware and home improvement channel. He is the founder of Legacy Retail Advisors, where he works with independent retailers to improve operational performance, strengthen teams and plan for succession. His approach focuses on disciplined execution, KPI-driven management and intentional leadership development.

CONNECT curtis@legacyretailadvisors.com Curtis Gillman

ometimes the real problem isn’t ignorance, it’s exhaustion. Day-to-day operations can consume so much time and attention that meaningful improvements feel impossible. Leadership teams become trapped in what Chris McChesney, Sean Covey and Jim Huling describe in their book, “The Four Disciplines of Execution,” as “the whirlwind”—the constant stream of tasks, interruptions and urgent issues required simply to keep the doors open. In that environment, even obvious improvements can feel overwhelming. But ignoring operational weaknesses doesn’t make them disappear. It only ensures they will grow quietly in the background. The whirlwind is inevitable. The real question is: What are you doing to manage it? The grass still needs to be mowed. Inventory still needs to be stocked. Customers still need to be served. There is no one-size-fits-all solution, but in many cases the answer comes down to better cross-training, division of labor and intentional delegation.

“There is no one-size-fits-all solution, but in many cases the answer comes down to better division of labor, cross-training and intentional delegation.” Too often, retailers rely on their most experienced and highest-paid employees to handle tasks that should be owned by entry-level team members. Your store manager may be the best person in the building at cutting keys or repairing screens, but those are not the best uses of their time. In “The Four Disciplines of Execution,” the authors introduce the concept of “Wildly Important Goals” (WIGs): the few critical objectives that must be achieved to drive meaningful progress. The challenge for independent retailers is creating an environment where the frontline team can confidently manage the whirlwind, allowing leadership to focus on those WIGs. When that shift happens, something important follows: With repetition and ownership, frontline employees don’t just maintain the operation, they improve it. Over time, they become faster, more capable and more consistent, often exceeding the proficiency of the leaders who once handled those same tasks.

Curtis Gillman Founder Legacy Retail Advisors

PAINT & DECORATING RETAILER | September 2026

S H COA

Beyond the

SHADE Current Trends in Paint Finishes

hen it comes to choosing a paint color for a project, sheen is just as important as shade. Each paint finish offers a different look, feel and form of durability, making certain formulas more ideal for one room or area of home versus another. Discover the latest trends for each sheen to guide your customers to what’s hot and what’s not.

FLAT A finish that creates a clean, uniform look by absorbing light rather than reflecting it, making it well-suited for ceilings. Flat sheens are trending to create a cozy, warm feeling in low-traffic rooms like dining rooms and formal living rooms.

EGGSHELL A soft, subtle finish that provides enough durability to withstand fingerprints, pets and daily activity. Trending in high-traffic spaces like playrooms and kids’ bedrooms.

SATIN

SEMI-GLOSS

Offering a softer, more contemporary feel, satin finishes are ideal for trim. Satin provides a clean, contemporary look for now-trendy painted cabinets in kitchens and bathrooms.

For high-touch surfaces such as doors, moldings and trim, semi-gloss is the top pick for its durability and easy-to-clean surface. Semi-gloss is trending to create doors, ceilings and trim pieces that pop.

September 2026 | PAINT & DECORATING RETAILER

PR O D U

C TS

OUTREACH

Retailer Recommendations Send an email to editorial@YourNHPA.org telling us about the products your customers love and why they are a hit in your business.

CLEAR PROTECTIVE FINISH

The Water-Based Helmsman Indoor/Outdoor Spar Urethane from Minwax is a clear protective finish designed for interior and exterior wood surfaces. The water-based formula protects against moisture, sunlight and temperature changes while maintaining a clear finish. It is suitable for use on doors, windows, furniture and trim. Minwax | minwax.com

PAINT ADDITIVE

Flame Guard Liquid from Walla Walla Environmental is a fire-retardant paint additive that mixes with most acrylic latex coatings to reduce flammability. Once mixed thoroughly, this additive can be brushed, rolled or sprayed, with two coats recommended. Walla Walla Environmental | wwenvironmental.com

SAFETY SUNGLASSES

The Exec Revlock from Pit Viper are ANSI Z87+ rated safety sunglasses featuring wraparound shield lenses, adjustable e-spot and a specialty designed fit system with 100% UV protection. The lightweight frame is designed for a secure fit during active use. These safety glasses come in clear, polarized and colored lenses and a variety of frame designs. Pit Viper | pitviper.com

PAINT & DECORATING RETAILER | September 2026

EXTENSION LADDER

The 560-3 Aluminum Round Rung Extension Ladder from Werner Co. is a 60-foot ladder with slick-resistant rungs, interlocking side rails and a spring-loaded rung lock. This ladder comes in three sections and has a duty rating of 250 pounds. Werner Co. | wernerco.com

STENCIL SET

The 3-Inch Brass Letter/Number Stencil Set from C.H. Hanson is a 45-piece stencil set designed for marking boxes, pallets, floors and other surfaces. The set features 28-gauge brass stencils with interlocking alignment edges and includes letters, numbers and common symbols. The stencils resist corrosion and clean easily with paint or ink solvents. C.H. Hanson | chhanson.com

MURAL PAINT KIT

The Large Mural Sample Kit from Golden Paintworks is a paint kit made for exterior mural projects and color testing. The kit includes seven 16-ounce jars of mural paint, a hand-painted color chart and a mural information packet. This kit provides enough paint to cover approximately 250 to 300 square feet. Golden Paintworks | goldenpaintworks.com

September 2026 | PAINT & DECORATING RETAILER

CORDLESS PAINT SPRAYER

The TrueCoat 360 Cordless Connect Drill Sprayer from Graco is a handheld, airless paint sprayer designed for small painting or staining projects. It attaches to most cordless drills or impact drivers and sprays unthinned paint or stain. It features a VacuValve, which allows paint to be sprayed in any direction, a reversible spray tip and a reusable paint bag for quick cleanup. Graco | graco.com

MOSAIC TILE

The Mother of Pearl Polished 3/5 x 1-inch Mini Staggered Iridescent Shell Mosaic Tile sheets from Country Floors are made for backsplashes, shower walls and other interior wall applications. The tiles have a polished natural shell appearance and are arranged in a staggered pattern on a 12-by-12-inch mesh-backed sheet. Country Floors | countryfloors.com

COMBINATION PADLOCK

The Weathershield CP60CS Combination Padlock from Squire Locks is a weather-resistant padlock with a 60-millimeter body and 10-millimeter hardened steel shackle. It features a five-wheel, re-codeable combination with up to 100,000 possible combinations, a push-to-open button and a dual-compound body cover. Squire Locks USA | squirelocksusa.com

PAINT & DECORATING RETAILER | September 2026

LIGHTING CART

The LED Glare-Free Diffused Work Light Tower Cart from Volterrex is a portable lighting system with a 700-watt lighting kit that produces 102,000 lumens and illuminates up to 61,000 square feet. It features a 15-foot, four-stage stainless steel mast, remote control, 110V GFCI outlet, hand crank, stabilizer outrigger and 12-inch pneumatic tires. Volterrex | volterrex.com

KIDS TAPE MEASURE

The Fido the Dog 4-in-1 Kids Tape Measure from Handy Famm features an 8-foot retractable tape measure, level, angle finder and eraser. Its soft design and push-button retraction make it easy for children to use, while the angle finder measures from 0 to 360 degrees. The tool is ASTM-certified for children ages 3 and older. Handy Famm | handyfamm.com

CORDLESS ADHESIVE GUN

The 20V MAX 29-ounce Adhesive Gun from DEWALT is a cordless adhesive dispenser designed for 29-ounce tubes. This gun features a variable-speed trigger and an electronic auto-reverse function. DEWALT | dewalt.com

September 2026 | PAINT & DECORATING RETAILER

HARDWARE RETAILING | September/October 2026

R STO

Fresh Faces of

Leadership Meet the 2026 NHPA Young Retailer of the Year Honorees BY

L I N D S EY

elebrating three decades of exceptional retailers under the age of 35, the North American Hardware and Paint Association’s (NHPA) Young Retailer of the Year Awards program highlights the efforts of young retailers. NHPA’s Young Retailer of the Year program identifies and promotes the next generation of aspiring independent home improvement, paint and decorating retailers. Honorees are recognized in three categories—multistore, under $3 million in sales and over $3 million in sales—based on a number of criteria, including professional milestones, community engagement, continuing hardware industry education and extracurricular activities. Cody Goeppner, NHPA director of education and training and 2020 Young

T HO M P S O N

Retailer of the Year honoree, says the recognition was a turning point for him as it highlighted the hard work he had poured into his career and introduced him to a broader community of forward-thinking and passionate retailers. “As someone who grew up in my family’s hardware store and spent years as a retailer myself, I know firsthand how much heart, grit and innovation it takes to succeed in this industry,” Goeppner says. “It truly is full circle and an incredible honor for me to support and celebrate the next generation of leaders. This program shines a spotlight on the people who are shaping the future of independent retail, and based on this year’s class, the future is bright.” Meet this year’s honorees and discover the positive impacts each is making in their operations, communities and the channel.

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

September 2026 | PAINT & DECORATING RETAILER

M U LT I ST O R E

HALEYCHAPEL Chief Operating Officer, Timberland Ace Hardware

What does it mean to you to be named a Young Retailer of the Year honoree? Being named a Young Retailer of the Year honoree is humbling, especially because this industry is full of people who are just as deserving of recognition. What has meant the most to me is the number of people who took the time to support my nomination and write letters on my behalf. Having leaders and peers I respect speak highly of the way I show up and lead was incredibly meaningful. Retail is ultimately a people business and more than anything, this recognition feels like a reflection of the people I’ve been lucky enough to learn from, work alongside and grow with over the years.

Who has been a key mentor or influence in your journey? My dad (who is also the owner of our company) has been one of the biggest influences in my journey. I’ve always been strong-minded and ready to step into responsibility, but he created an environment where I was able to grow through real experience. He gave me a long leash to make mistakes, fumble, course correct and ultimately develop my own leadership style. There were also times he recognized my capability and capacity before I fully saw it and pushed me accordingly. He’s naturally gifted with visionary instincts and the ability to see possibilities, but he also models balance, self-awareness and the importance of continuing to understand yourself as both a leader and a person. We share a competitive drive, excitement for growth and a strong desire to pursue excellence in our company. There’s always been a loving push between us that has shaped how I approach growth, leadership and accountability.

What challenges did you face early on, and how did you overcome them? Early on, one of my biggest challenges was simply learning the business with very little firsthand experience.

Honestly, I still feel like I’m learning every day, and I imagine that’ll never stop. I was fortunate to grow up in a family business and be offered opportunities early, but with that also came the responsibility of demonstrating I could create real impact and earn credibility through action. What helped most was being in an environment where mistakes weren’t treated as failures, but as part of the process. I was given room to figure things out, be challenged and move on without being defined by those moments. That shaped my confidence as a leader and more importantly, the way I try to develop other people.

How are you adapting to changes in consumer behavior, especially in today’s retail landscape? Retail is still, and always will be, a people business. Consumer behavior changes constantly, and we recognize that we don’t hold all the answers or need to reinvent the wheel. We pick up the phone, ask questions, surround ourselves with other successful retailers and listen. Some of the best ideas, strategies and adaptations come from our network, and I count myself fortunate to be in circles that care about collective success and genuinely want to share and collaborate. That’s a big reason why I’ve invested time in groups like Progressive Ace Leaders and serving as the Montana Dealer Group leader. Those relationships keep me curious, and I get to hear what’s working in other markets, adapt ideas to fit our business and communities and sometimes share what’s working for us as well. At the same time, we’ve worked hard to remain a modern hardware company, whether that’s improving our technology and internal processes, strengthening our online presence, maintaining strong inventory depth and breadth, embracing services like DoorDash or continually refreshing and reinvesting in our stores. I think

PAINT & DECORATING RETAILER | September 2026

Learn more about Haley at YourNHPA.org/yroty.

the retailers who continue to thrive through evolving consumer behavior are the ones willing to advance their businesses with an open mind while staying deeply connected to their values.

What keeps you passionate about the independent channel? What keeps me passionate about the independent channel is the balance of independence and collaboration. Through the Ace cooperative model, we have full rein to run our business in a way that reflects our people, our communities and our values, and that’s very important to me. At the end of the day, most of us didn’t get into hardware retail because we have a deep passion for snow shovels or Scotch tape. There are far easier ways to earn a living, but we stay committed to the industry because we have servant hearts, love building teams and solving problems and enjoy being a positive part of someone’s day. I also think the co-op model uniquely positions us to thrive. We maintain local ownership and autonomy while benefiting from the scale, data, vendor relationships, innovation and support of a much larger organization. We get the best of both worlds.

M U LT I ST O R E

TAYLORCOLE Retail Development and Marketing Support, Cole’s Hardware

What does it mean to you to be named a Young Retailer of the Year honoree? I am honored to be named a Young Retailer of the Year honoree. This recognition shows the strength and dedication of our entire team. I would not be where I am today without the group of people who show up every day committed to serving our customers, communities and each other. This is a recognition of the culture we have built together, and it motivates us to continue to elevate our standards.

Who has been a key mentor or influence in your journey? Growing up in a family business, I’ve had the opportunity to build strong relationships with family members both inside and outside of work. Through my journey, my dad has been a key role model and mentor. He’s taught me the importance of hard work, having a great moral compass and taking care of people, whether they’re employees, customers or family.

I’m thankful for his 40-plus years of business knowledge and experience, along with his dedication to teaching and carrying on the legacy.

What challenges did you face early on, and how did you overcome them? Early on, one of my toughest challenges was stepping into a business with a strong legacy, which my dad and uncle are a significant part of. I quickly realized that I had some big shoes to fill. I learned early on, it wasn’t about trying to be someone else, it was about leading in my own way. I overcame this challenge with the realization that I’m not alone. I find confidence and trust in our team’s knowledge, experience and willingness to help.

How are you adapting to changes in consumer behavior, especially in today’s retail landscape? The retail landscape and consumer expectations are changing rapidly.

Learn more about Taylor at YourNHPA.org/yroty.

We have a well-rounded team that brings many different perspectives to the table. We all have different areas of expertise and expectations, as both customers and retailers. Our business relies on input from every level in the organization. We continue to focus on our customers’ experience to ensure a seamless interaction, both in-store and online, and embracing new technology to elevate our standards, while continuing to be flexible and reliable.

What keeps you passionate about the independent channel? The people are what keep me passionate about the independent channel, whether that’s our team, other retailers or the communities we serve. This industry provides the opportunity to connect and build long-lasting relationships. Supporting our team members in their growth and experiencing the positive impact in our communities encourages me to carry on our family legacy.

This recognition shows the strength and dedication of our entire team. I would not be where I am today without the group of people who show up every day committed to serving our customers, communities and each other. September 2026 | PAINT & DECORATING RETAILER

M U LT I ST O R E

JEFFKUENNING Co-Owner, Western Ohio True Value

What does it mean to you to be named a Young Retailer of the Year honoree? It is an absolute honor to be named Young Retailer of the Year. It makes all of the crazy hours and late nights worth it. However, I view this more as a family award than I do a personal award. None of it would be possible without the groundwork and footsteps that my parents and older brothers laid for me. For me, it’s not about personal achievement, it’s about the 73 years of grinding my family has done. It is also about the 120 people in midwest Ohio that assist us as a family and are out there working every day to better the business.

Who has been a key mentor or influence in your journey? I would say my father was my biggest mentor. He was so good at letting us boys grow and shine in our own ways. He knew when to let us fail and when to stop us before we got there because he knew we would learn the best from our failures, just as he did when growing the business.

After my father passed away, all three of my brothers in the business have continued to help me in countless ways in my growth.

What challenges did you face early on, and how did you overcome them? One of my hardest challenges that I faced was having to navigate employees who have seen me grow up from a toddler or an immature high school kid and the bridges that I burned along the way. For some of those people, I was able to earn their trust back, but for some, it took me leaving the company and working somewhere else and getting outside experience to earn that trust back. It was a difficult obstacle to navigate, and I am still fighting some of it.

How are you adapting to changes in consumer behavior, especially in today’s retail landscape? We are adapting every day to current trends and current marketing strategies.

I view this more as a family award than I do a personal award. None of it would be possible without the groundwork and footsteps that my parents and older brothers laid for me. 18

PAINT & DECORATING RETAILER | September 2026

Learn more about Jeff at YourNHPA.org/yroty.

The policies and strategic plans that we used 20 years ago no longer work in this landscape. We are trying to continue to grow and expand our e-commerce platform to reach the younger generation, but that is by far our biggest challenge right now.

What keeps you passionate about the independent channel? Two things keep me going in the independent channel. The first is the customers who continue to come in asking for help and want to use the independents. They don’t want to go to the big box where they can’t get help. They trust us and trust that they will get the correct information from us. My passion comes from helping a customer all the way through their project and seeing the end result of their project. The other thing that keeps me passionate is the other independent store owners and the relationships we have built with them over the years. Seeing them be successful and swapping ideas with each other is a lot of fun.

M U LT I ST O R E

SUMMERVASQUEZ Store Manager & Project Manager, Matt’s Building Materials

What does it mean to you to be named a Young Retailer of the Year honoree? It is such an incredible honor to even be considered for this award. When I received the call informing me of the nomination, I was sitting with my daughter. The moment I shared the news with her, I saw a look on her face that I will never forget—a look of pure pride. In that instant, this recognition became so much more than an award. Seeing her eyes light up and knowing she was proud of me was one of the most rewarding feelings I have ever experienced. It reminded me that our children are always watching, learning and growing from the examples we set, and I love being able to show her that hard work, dedication and perseverance truly matter. Life may not always reward us immediately. There will be long days, challenges and moments when the effort feels unseen. But if you continue to work hard, stay committed and believe in yourself, your efforts will eventually shine through.

Who has been a key mentor or influence in your journey? Working in a family business, I have been fortunate to have many mentors throughout the years who have played a vital role in my development. However, the one person who stands out because he had no obligation to invest in me, yet chose to do so anyway, is David Castillo. As my manager when I first started, he became much more than a supervisor; he became a mentor, a teacher and someone whose guidance helped shape the person I am today. His leadership never focused solely on the job itself—he took the time to teach me lessons that would help me succeed long after the workday ended. When I reflect on my accomplishments, I know they are not mine alone, but were built by the encouragement, wisdom and

experience that people like David passed down to me over the years.

What challenges did you face early on, and how did you overcome them? One of the biggest challenges I faced early in my career was being a young woman in a traditionally male-dominated industry. I started working at 16 years old and, through hard work and determination, quickly advanced into an assistant manager role. While I was proud of that accomplishment, it also came with challenges. There were times when customers, and even fellow employees, underestimated me because of my age, my gender or both. I often felt that sometimes I had to work twice as hard to prove that I belonged and that I was capable of leading, making decisions and contributing meaningful knowledge and experience. Those moments were not always easy, but they taught me resilience, confidence and the importance of believing in myself even when others doubted me. Rather than allowing those experiences to discourage me, I used them as motivation. Every challenge became an opportunity to learn, grow and demonstrate what I was capable of accomplishing. I remained committed to improving myself, expanding my knowledge and giving my very best every single day. Over time, I learned that respect is not always given immediately—it is earned through consistency, dedication and the willingness to persevere.

Learn more about Summer at YourNHPA.org/yroty.

but also with online retailers. One thing that consistently stands out, especially in our community, is our customers’ desire for personal interaction and genuine conversation. We strive to maintain open lines of communication so customers feel comfortable sharing concerns, asking questions or suggesting products they would like us to carry. By listening to their feedback and building strong relationships, we are able to better meet their needs while creating a positive and welcoming experience.

What keeps you passionate about the independent channel? One of the reasons I am passionate about the independent channel is our ability to pivot and adapt quickly to meet the changing needs of our customers. We are not bound by the rigid structure often found in large corporations, and we have the flexibility to make decisions that directly benefit the customer experience. This freedom allows us to respond more efficiently, provide personalized solutions and address customer concerns in a timely manner.

How are you adapting to changes in consumer behavior, especially in today’s retail landscape? We have relied on a great deal of trial and error over the years to be able to serve our customers to the best of our abilities. We must remain competitive not only with other brick-and-mortar businesses

September 2026 | PAINT & DECORATING RETAILER

UNDER $3 MILLION IN SALES

GRANTRAYNOR Store Manager, Town and Country

What does it mean to you to be named a Young Retailer of the Year honoree? I want to thank my team; it’s because of them I can do what I do. I can trust them to keep things running when I’m not there and make the right decisions.

What challenges did you face early on, and how did you overcome them? I started my career with Town and Country in 2015 as a floor sales associate and was promoted to a store manager in less than two years because of my focus on customer service. After learning the business quickly, I took over the McGee Crossing store for Town & Country when I was just 21 years old, and at that time, the store was viewed as something of a leap of faith as it wasn’t performing well. It was a new location, and while there was optimism, there were also uncertainties. Fast-forward nearly a decade, and that same store is now one of Town & Country and CNRG’s top-performing locations in return on sales.

How are you adapting to changes in consumer behavior, especially in today’s retail landscape? We focus on what really matters: the people who walk through the door. Every customer is greeted, listened to and treated with respect—whether they’re spending $5 or $500. If a customer needs something the store doesn’t have, my team will find a way to get it. If they aren’t sure what they need, we will walk them through it until they do. That culture of service has created a loyal following, and many of our customers are greeted by name when they come in. I try to be thoughtful about what goes on the shelves. In a smaller footprint store, space is everything, so I try to read sales trends and rotate out slower movers to make room for better-performing items. I’m not afraid to make tough calls if it means serving customers more effectively and driving results. My store is developing into more of an urban area, so I am monitoring the trends and adjusting my offerings to align with new business.

My deep belief that customer service should always come first keeps me passionate. That sounds simple, but in today’s world of self-checkouts and automated help desks, it’s actually pretty rare. 20

PAINT & DECORATING RETAILER | September 2026

Learn more about Grant at YourNHPA.org/yroty.

What keeps you passionate about the independent channel? My deep belief that customer service should always come first keeps me passionate. That sounds simple, but in today’s world of self-checkouts and automated help desks, it’s actually pretty rare. I train my team to go the extra mile, even when they don’t make a sale. I have even talked a customer into buying a less expensive item than they came in for, not because it makes the register ring louder with more sales, but because I want them to be happy with their purchase and come back next time. After Hurricane Florence hit western North Carolina, I didn’t want to wait for someone else to step in, so I went straight to my district manager and asked if we could donate supplies for the cleanup effort. For the days leading up to the storm, we ignored the closing hours of the store and stayed open until the last customers were served. Many customers who did not get off work until later in the evening were fortunate and grateful for the service we provided then.

OVE R $ 3 M I L L I O N I N S A L E S

SHANNON DAVIS MORROW Business Manager, Tweedy Lumber & Hardware

What does it mean to you to be named a Young Retailer of the Year honoree?

What challenges did you face early on, and how did you overcome them?

Being named a Young Retailer of the Year honoree is truly one of the greatest honors of my life. I pour my heart into this business every single day, and there are times when you wonder if the hard work is making a difference. This recognition is incredibly meaningful because it validates the effort, dedication and passion I’ve invested over the years.

One of the biggest challenges I faced was being a young woman in a traditionally male-dominated industry. Because I didn’t grow up in the hardware and lumber business, I had a steep learning curve and knew I needed to gain knowledge quickly if I wanted to succeed. I made it my mission to learn every aspect of the business, from operations to customer service and everything in between. That commitment to learning has helped me grow, and every day I continue to learn something new.

Who has been a key mentor or influence in your journey? Without a doubt, my parents have been the biggest influences in my life. They have faced challenges, overcome obstacles and built many successful businesses through hard work, perseverance and determination. They taught me what it means to work hard, treat people well and always put family first. The values they instilled in me will forever guide both my personal life and my career.

How are you adapting to changes in consumer behavior, especially in today’s retail landscape? I believe the best thing a retailer can do is listen. Our customers tell us every day what they need, what they value and how their expectations are changing.

Learn more about Shannon at YourNHPA.org/yroty.

By staying connected to those conversations and being willing to adapt, we can continue providing the products, services and shopping experience they’re looking for. While retail is constantly evolving, personal relationships and customer service will always be at the center of what we do.

What keeps you passionate about the independent channel? The sense of community is what keeps me passionate about independent retail. Over the years, I’ve built meaningful relationships with customers, employees and fellow retailers, and those connections make this work incredibly rewarding. I love helping customers bring their projects to life and seeing those projects through from start to finish. Independent retailers offer a level of personal service, trust and community connection that simply can’t be replicated, and that’s what makes this industry so special.

Independent retailers offer a level of personal service, trust and community connection that simply can’t be replicated, and that’s what makes this industry so special. September 2026 | PAINT & DECORATING RETAILER

OVE R $ 3 M I L L I O N I N S A L E S

SEANDOWNEY General Manager, West Whittier Paint Co.

What does it mean to you to be named a Young Retailer of the Year honoree? I had told myself all year that I just had to apply before I turned 30. I kept telling myself, “It’ll be the 30th anniversary, I’ll have just turned 30 at the conference, they have to let me in.” When I found out I actually made it, I was pleasantly surprised, but I didn’t really tell anyone. I told my girlfriend and my office manager, but that’s about it. I didn’t even tell my family right away. It was just this thing that felt peaceful and happy, and I wanted to hold onto those feelings for myself for a bit. When the award was announced publicly, I was actually most happy and surprised to hear the congratulations from my friends and connections in ALLPRO. They knew what it was, so it felt the most genuine. I’ve seen my peers win this award year after year and was always so impressed by them, so it kind of feels like I made it, too.

Who has been a key mentor or influence in your journey? I grew up in the store, like most of us, but I didn’t have it set out in front of me. In fact, my parents encouraged me to do literally anything else, but here I am, sucked back into the void of the family business. I come from a long lineage of stubborn independent operators. Some might say that I fit that mold, but I don’t see the resemblance. Regardless, it put the store in a unique position of life passing it by. After decades of very little change or updates, the store was primed for some stubborn person to come along and shake things up. When I became general manager, I essentially had to go it on my own and trust my gut.

What challenges did you face early on, and how did you overcome them? It’s Fall 2019, I’m 23, feeling 30 and back at the paint store. Am I doing sales? Am I updating systems? Am I out of my mind? Yes. We were still using dot-matrix printers, faxing more than emailing and working off a POS system that predated Windows.

After some early uphill battles, I got us on VoIP phones, got everyone into the MS Office environment and we now have Wi-Fi! That was just the beginning. I learned WordPress and built a website that met our needs, redesigned aisles and added pallet shelving. I implemented a new POS system from pretty much nothing, since nearly all of the data from the old one was non-transferable. And something I’m probably most proud of: I’ve given our employees raises that are definitely more competitive and much closer to what they’re actually worth. I did pretty much all of this guerrilla style. I was dropped in here with no plan and no guidance other than “work on bettering things we don’t have the time for.” But every time I had an idea or wanted to change something, it was met with a lot of resistance and pretty much denied. So, I got creative. I realized if I wanted to bring us into the 21st century, I had to stop waiting for permission. I started executing these changes on my own dollar and my own time, pushing updates through independently and putting my own neck on the line. I decided I was either going to fix the store or get fired trying, and it worked. There was a lot of training, a need for reassurance and skepticism from the team. But we’re still here, and over time, I’ve earned the trust of everyone. Now that we have our systems in place and the wind in our sails, my next steps are to update the store experience, something that hasn’t been done here since the 80s. We are doing a facelift of the outside because a paint store should look freshly painted and not like you’re walking into an abandoned warehouse. We are also going to attempt to reset the inside—just don’t tell my employees that yet. Along with this, we’re actively working on an e-commerce site so that, at the very least, people can price shop us and know that we exist. To add to the early chaos, I butted heads with our office manager early on. At the time, she had been with us for over 55 years, and I think she saw me as a naive, overzealous kid trying to

PAINT & DECORATING RETAILER | September 2026

Learn more about Sean at YourNHPA.org/yroty.

change everything she worked so hard for. She actually more or less retired because of the friction, but this year, she celebrated her 90th birthday at the store with her friends, family and longtime coworkers. She and I have made genuine amends, and she more than approves of everything I’ve been doing now that she has seen I haven’t destroyed the business—so far.

How are you adapting to changes in consumer behavior, especially in today’s retail landscape? First and foremost, it’s about staying as price-competitive as possible, and then ensuring today’s chronically online consumer actually knows we exist. I actually haven’t started paid advertising online, but the website is live and it’s at least driving some traffic to the store. At the very least, it shows we’re a legitimate business and not just a 2006 HTML page.

What keeps you passionate about the independent channel? Spite. Those free trips to the ALLPRO shows. And honestly? A little more spite. The independent channel can be a real disaster sometimes, but every now and then, the stars align and we can all enjoy ourselves.

OVE R $ 3 M I L L I O N I N S A L E S

FÉLIX-ANTOINE MOISAN

Director of Operations, Jean Denis Limitée Home Hardware

What does it mean to you to be named a Young Retailer of the Year honoree? For me, receiving this award represents a high level of recognition of the retail industry by my peers. At 28 years old, this is an unexpected event in my young career as a businessman. Winning an award of this magnitude becomes a motivation to propel myself towards a better and more prosperous future. The visibility achieved by this honor gives me confidence in myself, our team and our entire family business. To have been chosen to win this award makes me very proud.

Who has been a key mentor or influence in your journey? My grandfather, Jean-Guy, for his entrepreneurial journey of over 53 years and managing the family business as a third-generation owner. My grandmother, Louise, showed me her way of working and her dedication to customer service, as well as her vision of the job: “work is not fatal.” She worked at the family business until she was 80 years old. I work with my mother, Sophie, every day; she teaches me to be rigorous in the execution of my work, be proud of the work we do and know how to maintain a high standard of quality in customer service. My mother often says: “take nothing for granted, every day it is to start over.” My father, Philippe: his joviality, good humor, patience and daily discipline inspire me to become a better manager.

What challenges did you face early on, and how did you overcome them? I’ve been working at the hardware store since I was 12. In the summer, as a student, I loaded bags of earth into clients’ cars. From these first work experiences, I learned the basics of customer service. Over time, I gained experience and knowledge in all departments—cashier, paint clerk, merchandising, delivery

person and product assembly. During my college studies in sales management, I was able to put my knowledge of merchandising to good use by optimizing space, visual presentation and department redevelopment. Another challenge was the complete redevelopment of the cash desks to create a queue and improve traffic in the hardware store. With the realization of this project, I proved to my parents and the whole team that my ideas and future merchandising projects could bring more sales. In any change, the biggest challenge is to ask humans to adapt to change. I learned that you must not only sell your idea, but prove in the realization of the idea the added value of the project.

How are you adapting to changes in consumer behavior, especially in today’s retail landscape? The digital age in which we live is accelerating consumer trends at a faster rate than ever before. We must constantly listen and be attentive to the consumer’s needs. I often say that you can’t blame the consumer if they’re not there. As an entrepreneur, it’s our job to be there to meet consumer needs. We must be constantly evolving because it is our duty to offer an attractive, up-to-date and effective experience. Nowadays, consumers have a lot more choice when it comes to shopping. Whether in-store or online, the offer is large and the competition fierce. For our family business, we need to make improvements that make a difference. For example, displaying our inventory online for the last 18 months has been a great improvement. When customers see that we have it in store on the website, they know that they can have their goods quickly. In the last decade, there has been a change in how we reach out to our customers with the advent of social media. We created our Facebook page more than 10 years ago and started

Learn more about Félix-Antoine at YourNHPA.org/yroty.

making content. Customers want to see us and hear from us. They want practical advice, to see our new products and trust in our expertise and the products we recommend. We have built a community over time, and our social media is our best communication tool to be in contact with our customers at home, day after day.

What keeps you passionate about the independent channel? Being part of an independent chain is the best option in my opinion, to benefit from several advantages of a banner while having the flexibility to develop our business according to our market and the effort we want to put into it. Among the advantages of being part of Home Hardware is access to more than 45,000 products, including private brands and exclusive deals in addition to national brands. The assortment of products, the marketing program and the website are all winning elements for the success of our store. Being a Home Hardware dealer, a 100% Canadian banner, meets the expectations of our customers, propels us as a merchant and has brought us success for 26 years.

September 2026 | PAINT & DECORATING RETAILER

Inside the Independents Awards Gala The 2026 Young Retailer of the Year Honorees were recognized as part of the Independents Awards Gala at the 2026 Independent Home Improvement Conference.

PAINT & DECORATING RETAILER | September 2026

Proud Sponsor of the Young Retailer of the Year Program

847-269-8617 info@americanhli.com

2026 NHPA (Young Retailer) 1 PG AD.indd 1

8/6/26 10:35

After Award THE

Reflections From Past Young Retailer of the Year Honorees BY

LINDS EY

T H O M PSO N

he North American Hardware and Paint Association’s (NHPA) Young Retailer of the Year program is excited to celebrate 30 years of honoring up-and-coming retailers making a big impact in the independent channel. Since 1997, over 200 young retailers have been recognized, and Paint & Decorating Retailer had the opportunity to catch up with past honorees to hear what they’ve been up to since being named a Young Retailer honoree, how the award positively impacted their careers and the ways they are continuing to influence their operations, communities and the channel.

PAINT & DECORATING RETAILER | September 2026

Diana Newton

2018 HONOREE

President, South Bay Hardware and Vice President, Bay Hardware and Lunada Bay Hardware

THEN

NOW

How did being named an NHPA Young Retailer of the Year honoree positively impact your career? Being selected as a Young Retailer in 2018 is one of the most meaningful honors of my professional life. I consider this award as more of a testament to my team in what we accomplished together, as well as to Do it Best for their support in our operations. The recognition deepened my relationships throughout the industry and broadened my perspective across co-op lines. It also reinforced my commitment to hardlines retail education and leadership development. I firmly believe the next generation holds tremendous potential to strengthen and evolve our industry, and this honor inspired me to help foster that future. The experience opened doors I never anticipated, including currently serving on the board of directors for Do it Best Group, and connected me with mentors, peers and opportunities that have shaped my life trajectory in unfathomable ways.

Ryan Buck

What advice would you give to young leaders today? Lean into and embrace every challenge and frustration. These are the moments that shape you most as a leader. Setbacks, and even a few failures, are not roadblocks; they are opportunities to grow, learn and build resilience. Don’t be afraid to take thoughtful risks as meaningful progress rarely happens without them—unless you light a match, you are not going to burn the business down! Just as importantly, recognize the wins along the way and be sure to celebrate them with the team who helped make them possible. Leadership is not a one man (or woman!) journey; applauding those shared successes is what builds locked-arms teams and lasting momentum. Get connected with local organizations and attend industry training sessions offered by NHPA and your co-op; you never know who you're going to meet or what you will learn. It may be you who positively impacts someone else's life.

2020 HONOREE

Dealer/Owner, Buck’s Home Building Centre

THEN

NOW

How did being named an NHPA Young Retailer of the Year honoree positively impact your career? When I won the award, I was a year into my ownership of our company, which had two stores. Currently we have expanded to four stores with nearly 100 employees. I think the timing of the award for me was representative of the journey. It was a representation of the previous 15 years of work and dedication, along with the present time and moving forward in the future. It was an accomplishment that solidified myself as a leader, while celebrating the long-standing tenure of our business and celebrating the success

of our teams to get us to the operation we had become at that time to what we have become today. In what ways did the award open doors you didn’t anticipate? Winning the Young Retailer award brought me into a small circle of past award honorees and has created relationships that are still strong today. What do you think are the biggest opportunities for the independent home improvement channel in the next year? Growth through acquisition, while leveraging our buying power to maximize margin, increasing gross profit dollars.

September 2026 | PAINT & DECORATING RETAILER

Jonathan Miller

2015 HONOREE

Principal and Partner, Miller Hardware Company

THEN

NOW

How did being named an NHPA Young Retailer of the Year honoree positively impact your career? It has made a tremendous impact on my career, most notably in the relationships and resources it exposed me to within NHPA. Between the Retail Management Certification Program (RMCP) and roundtable experiences, our company has realized significant gains through collaboration with industry colleagues. In what ways did the award open doors you didn’t anticipate? I did not anticipate the friendships and education that continue to come 10 years later. What advice would you give to young leaders today? Take time to reflect on the energy and ambition you have at this very moment.

Ryan Clouse

Keep that core memory and be intentional at providing opportunities for the generation coming behind you. Combat complacency—the specific model you are practicing today is not sustainable. Get up, seek improvement and take advantage of every opportunity to listen to others. What do you think are the biggest opportunities for the independent home improvement channel in the next year? Independent retailers need to become true community members. We need to differentiate ourselves from corporate outlets through real partnerships—place your team into nonprofit board seats, afford them time to further education locally and call your technical college and ask how your business can best support local trades growth.

2023 HONOREE

Owner and Operator, Clouse Family Ace Hardwares and Roger’s Family Foods stores

THEN

NOW

How did being named an NHPA Young Retailer of the Year honoree positively impact your career? Winning pushed me in a direction where I saw that what I’m doing matters and made me double down on myself. It wasn’t so much that it was a magical door opener and all my problems were gone, but it became something where I invested in myself to not only keep going but work a little harder. Winning also gave me a little bit of clout; my brother was also an honoree, so there were big shoes to follow. It opened up the door to have better conversations and develop new connections in the industry. What advice would you give to young leaders today? Don’t doubt yourself just because of lack of experience. I never saw myself as a true leader per se, so when we hired a leadership coach to guide us as a company, one of the biggest takeaways I still live to this day is the idea of presenting leadership all day, every day.

PAINT & DECORATING RETAILER | September 2026

When it comes to being successful in any part of your life, you have to have a strategic plan with real goals and then be consistent just to keep showing up—excellence is not an act, it is a habit. What do you think are the biggest opportunities for the independent home improvement channel in the next year? There’s a little bit of a wave of change that we’ve seen in the past couple years of quality over quantity. From a product standpoint, quality is one of the things we’re pushing for, looking for better brands. On a personal level, the world’s become so disconnected, it comes down to making an impact in any way that you can. My role in the business has changed, and I am no longer on the salesfloor all the time, so what I’ve learned to do is take care of my team. In turn, they take care of their team and everybody has everybody’s back all the way down the line, all the way to our customers. That personal touch is the biggest impact we can offer today.

Alan Bryant

1999 HONOREE

Owner, Bryant’s Ace Hardware, H&L Lumber Co. and Oakhurst Rock and Landscape Supply How did being named an NHPA Young Retailer of the Year honoree positively impact your career? The impact to my career following the Young Retailer of the Year was nothing short of positive. I was amazed at the network I was able to quickly build within the industry following the award. After receiving the honor, I made sure to attend as many industry THEN functions as I could with our vendors and what was then NRHA. I had already been working with True Value NOW Company on some advisory boards, but following the award, I had the opportunity to network with more of the leadership team at True Value, which allowed me to parlay into a position with the True Value Marketing Council in 2005, a position I held until 2010. It was a really positive move for me and my career, being able to network with and grow relationships with the senior team at True Value. The crowning jewel came in 2012 when I was elected to the Board of Directors for True Value Company, a position that I held until 2021 when I eventually resigned while I explored the possibility of leaving True Value and joining Ace Hardware.

Since joining Ace Hardware, I have been active with the leadership team at Ace, and have been working closely with the conversion team as an advocate of the benefits of becoming part of the Ace family. In what ways did the award open doors you didn’t anticipate? I truly believe the good fortune that has come my way is a direct result of being honored as a Young Retailer of the Year. I also gained confidence within myself and my abilities and quickly learned of the importance of building a network of associates within our industry, many of whom have become and remain lifelong friends. What do you think are the biggest opportunities for the independent home improvement channel in the next year? One of the biggest opportunities I see for the year ahead revolves around technology and how that can be incorporated into our industry. Thanks to online retailers and larger big-box stores, our customers have gotten used to a new, easier way of shopping—buying online and picking up in-store, curbside pick up, rewards programs, QR codes that relate to in-store educational opportunities and immersive shopping experiences that draw customers into the store. I believe that customers are looking for experiential shopping, not simply walking into a warehouse and filling carts with boxes that are mass stacked in the aisles. I feel like stores that don’t adapt to stay relevant will get left behind.

Jay Donnelly

2021 HONOREE

Owner, Flanagan Paint & Supply

THEN

NOW

How did being named an NHPA Young Retailer of the Year honoree positively impact your career? The recognition gave me confidence early on that I was on the right path and helped validate the independent model at a time when big box and corporate competition felt overwhelming. It also expanded my peer network in a meaningful way by connecting me with other operators who were facing similar challenges and thinking long term about the future of independent retail. In what ways did the award open doors you didn’t anticipate? The biggest, unexpected outcome was the responsibility that came with visibility. It pushed me to be more intentional about leadership, mentorship and involvement in the broader channel. When people look to you as a young leader, you realize quickly that your decisions, culture and values matter beyond your own four walls.

Katie Prus

What advice would you give to young leaders today? Stay close to the work and the people. Growth, technology and scale matter, but relationships are still the foundation of independent retail. Listen more than you talk, stay curious and do not lose sight of why independence matters to your customers and your team. What do you think are the biggest opportunities for the independent home improvement channel in the next year? The biggest opportunity is doubling down on differentiation, especially service, expertise and local relationships. Independents can move faster, be more human and truly partner with customers in ways large competitors struggle to replicate. There is also a real opportunity to embrace smarter use of data and technology without losing the personal touch that makes independent retail special.

2023 HONOREE

Manager and Part-Owner, Abbotsford Paint & Decorating Center

THEN

NOW

In what ways did the award open doors you didn’t anticipate? I have jumped on quite a few boards and committees since 2023, including co-chair of the Canpro Meeting committee, which plans and executes our yearly meeting and buying show for the Canpro group. I am a part of the Canpro Purchasing committee and chair of their NextGen committee and involved with ALLPRO’s NextGen committee, along with fellow 2023 YROTY honoree Michael Gleason Jr., who has just been appointed as chair of the committee. I also sit on the NHPA board of directors, and I am extremely grateful to be on that board surrounded by incredible business owners and looking forward to learning a lot from everyone. What advice would you give to young leaders today? For all 2026 nominees, first of all congratulations on this recognition! This award was a fantastic award to receive and made me feel like I was on the right path for once. Take honor in the nomination that people out there truly see what you are doing and especially see what you are doing for the independent channel. The independent channel is crucial for community support both coming and

PAINT & DECORATING RETAILER | September 2026

going, so remember when you are selling paint and hardware items, every dollar you are making—as well as the dollar your customers and clients are spending—is staying in your community and doing better things. What do you think are the biggest opportunities for the independent home improvement channel in the next year? For 2026, economy-wise and seeing what our clients have been up to, I see this as a year of bringing back the DIYer. I think we will have more people painting their own homes, attempting lime wash and painting their cabinets. They are going to look to us, the independent channel, to give our clients the best advice, the best tools and the best products to complete the job on their own. I am not worried about a potential drop in spending from consumers because I do think they will all come to us for what they need for their project. Make sure to be giving lots of printed information for consumers to make the best decisions. Hand out those brochures and make sure your customers have easy access to reviews. When people are watching where their dollar goes, five star reviews help immensely.

2017 HONOREE

R.J. McDaniel Owner, B&B Hardware

How did being named an NHPA Young Retailer of the Year honoree positively impact your career? It was an amazing experience that I was able to share with my late father who I had worked alongside since I was 14 years old. At the event itself, I was able to get to know other honorees, which opened connections within the industry. Over the years I have been involved in roundtable groups with other Young Retailer honorees, and in these meetings we brainstorm, connect and discuss ideas about business. These connections have been a crucial part in expanding my business. What advice would you give to young leaders today? I would tell them to enjoy the accomplishment but use the award to its fullest potential in creating new relationships with other recipients, vendors and corporate leaders. The opportunity to be with like-minded people and connect should not be wasted. The award winners should introduce themselves to everyone they can—it means something to put a name with a face—to get insight on new products and programs. I think it’s crucial to expanding and running a better business. In what ways did the award open doors you didn’t anticipate? It made me realize that I need to set the bar high for self expectations. I continue to set goals for the business and personally to help grow. I never

THEN

accept what I have accomplished and continue to challenge myself to better myself and the business. The award opened the door to many vendors knowing me by name and allowed me to get insight on new products and programs. It’s crucial to continue to expand and better the business through products and assortments. Receiving the award itself gave me an internal drive to push myself and set the bar high for my store and my team. What do you think are the biggest opportunities for the independent home improvement channel in the next year? I believe many independent stores have goals to keep pushing customer service and the “hometown” feel in today’s world. Online business and big boxes have taken this away, and we acknowledge there is a shrinking footprint for independents, but customers still love having the person-to-person interaction and community ties. While we have added our inventory online and offer same day pickup through Do it Best, we also thrive on our specialized services like key cutting, pipe threading and chainsaw sharpening; services you can’t buy online. My plan for 2026 is doubling down on customer service, providing those specialized services you can’t buy online and promoting our business within the community that has supported us for over 60 years. Good old customer service will prevail.

NOW

September 2026 | PAINT & DECORATING RETAILER

Huong Luu

2025 HONOREE

CEO, Luu Color Center

THEN

NOW

How did being named an NHPA Young Retailer of the Year honoree positively impact your career? Taking over and rebuilding a business in an industry where I had no prior experience came with a lot of imposter syndrome. It’s something I still feel from time to time. Being named a Young Retailer of the Year offered meaningful reassurance early in my leadership journey. It helped me see beyond my own operation and connected me with a community of peers and mentors who shared their experiences openly. That support accelerated my growth, strengthened my confidence as a leader and reminded me that learning as you go is not a weakness, it’s part of the journey. In what ways did the award open doors you didn’t anticipate? One of the most unexpected outcomes was the increased responsibility to lead beyond my own business. The recognition opened doors to incredible industry conversations, peer

Karena Reusser

mentorship and leadership opportunities that required me to think more strategically about how my decisions and actions could positively influence others in the channel. What advice would you give to young leaders today? My advice would be to stay curious, remain humble and embrace discomfort. The award isn’t a finish line; it’s a responsibility and a commitment to uphold values and integrity. Use the platform to listen, learn and lead with intention. What do you think are the biggest opportunities for the independent home improvement channel in the next year? The biggest opportunities for the independent home improvement channel is in continued differentiation of service, local relevance and talent development. Independents who invest in people, leverage technology thoughtfully and stay deeply connected to their communities will be well positioned for success.

2003 HONOREE

Store Director, Modern Home & Hardware

THEN

NOW

How did being named an NHPA Young Retailer of the Year honoree positively impact your career? It was the launching pad for me and made me feel like there was a place in the industry for me. I was introduced to so many people who I would have never met, especially within my wholesaler. I would go on to be on the Do it Best board for nine years, which was a phenomenal experience. I was motivated to expand our store and update the operation to be an exciting and premier destination in our county for shopping. My brother added a complete sporting goods section in our store, we added a Little Caesar’s Pizza in 2012 and I earned my law degree in 2018, so we now also offer a law

PAINT & DECORATING RETAILER | September 2026

practice in the store as well. We love that we can fill so many needs in our community. What do you think are the biggest opportunities for the independent home improvement channel in the next year? It’s going to have to be relationship driven, because that human component will always be a critical link that technology can’t provide. People want to feel cared about, valued and needed. I think that is the biggest opportunity for independents—to have those relationships. What advice would you give to young leaders today? Show up when you don’t want to, keep the doors open when you don’t want to and keep going on those days that are hard. Dig in and keep going!

2006 HONOREE

Jeremy Melnick

Founder, LJB Advisors, and Former Owner, Gordon’s Ace Hardware

THEN

How did being named an NHPA Young Retailer of the Year honoree positively impact your career? The award gave me credibility, not only with the co-op, but with vendors and outside organizations. They would search for me online, see I was a Young Retailer honoree, which gave me credibility.

What advice would you give to young leaders today? One, be humble. There’s a lot of great people within the industry, so always be willing to learn, ask questions and NOW network. Second, keep doing the things that have got you here; don’t rest on your laurels or the fact that you’re a Young Retailer but keep doing all the things that got you here.

2006 HONOREE

Tyler Nowochin

Dealer/Owner, Nowco Home Hardware How did being named an NHPA Young Retailer of the Year honoree positively impact your career? I remember reading a Young Retailer of the Year article about 20 years ago, closer to when it was new, and remember thinking “That’s my goal, that’s what I’m going to work towards, and I’m going to cater all of my decision-making and such towards winning this award.” Winning the Young Retailer honor became a goal I was working toward and to receive the award the year before I aged out was very satisfying. Since then, I think it’s more of the idea behind recognition of young people in THEN the industry period that I appreciate more than anything. I love seeing like-minded younger people working together and the community created.

NOW

What advice would you give to young leaders today? Don’t let the award be the end all be all. Never stop pushing to do better, to lead your team better and set higher goals. Use the Young Retailer award as a leapfrog to the next step.

34 PAINT & DECORATING RETAILER | September 2026

INDEPENDENT HOME IMPROVEMENT CONFERENCE

Uniting the Industry 2026 IHI Conference Fuels Growth Through Collaboration, Innovation

epresenting all wholesalers and distributors and coming from all across North America, attendees of the 2026 Independent Home Improvement Conference (IHI Conference) left with new ideas, renewed connections and a reinvigorated spirit to strengthen their operations. Hosted by the North American Hardware and Paint Association (NHPA) and The Hardware Conference, the IHI Conference took place at the JW Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes and delivered practical education, meaningful networking and fresh perspectives on the issues shaping independent home improvement retail. Jammie Joseph traveled to his first IHI Conference looking for the future. Joseph is general manager of Paradise Lumber & Hardware on St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Locally owned and serving the island community for more than 25 years, the business operates a hardware store and lumberyard while also supplying contractors, homeowners and neighboring Caribbean islands through its export operation. With a retail career that has taken him from Walmart and Lowe’s to management positions in The Bahamas, the British Virgin Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands, Joseph says the IHI Conference offered something he couldn’t get anywhere else: direct conversations with peers facing many of the same operational challenges. For Joseph, the opportunity to exchange ideas about technology, best practices and retail operations made his first IHI experience this year one he’ll build on in the years ahead.

September 2026 | PAINT & DECORATING RETAILER

“My whole purpose going to IHI was to learn more about AI and how I can integrate that into the store,” he says. “The networking was also really great.” For the team at AL&M Building Supplies, their first IHI Conference delivered exactly what they hoped: practical ideas they can put to work back home. Co-owner Alison Korell says AL&M Building Supplies has served the communities of Sealy and Columbus, Texas, since 1891, and views itself as a partner to its customers throughout every project. Attending the IHI Conference for the first time, Korell and AL&M regional operations manager Edith Almeida say the conference provided valuable insights. “The panel on using AI in home improvement retailing was eye-opening for me,” Korell says. “It pointed out to me so many areas where I could improve—and improve quickly and easily.” Almeida sees value in collecting ideas that can grow over time. “We can extract little pieces of what we could take home and apply,” she says. “It could be baby steps to something even bigger.” For Korell, another highlight was reconnecting with industry peers and learning from conversations between sessions. “It’s just outstanding for me,” she says. “To be able to come to IHI and see friends and colleagues and catch up and learn is excellent.”

Making Meaningful Connections

During two dedicated networking periods, IHI Conference attendees explored the Partner Pavilion, discovering new products, innovative technologies and solutions from industry vendors and service providers. The exhibit hall buzzed with conversation as retailers exchanged ideas, viewed product demonstrations and strengthened connections with suppliers and industry peers.

Questions about upcoming efficiency standards and regulatory changes dominated conversations at the A.O. Smith and Reliance Water Heaters booth, says retail sales manager Fon Wixon. While many of the changes won’t take effect until 2029, Wixon says retailers are already hearing about them and want to understand what they mean for inventory, customers and future product offerings. For Wixon, the IHI Conference provided an opportunity to hear directly from dealers, learn what information they’re missing and help them begin preparing well before the new requirements arrive. “There’s a lot of change in our industry,” Wixon says. “They’re hearing about it. They want some of that new information because there are a lot of changes in efficiencies and government regulations that are changing.” For Harley Schreiber, regional manager with Hy-Ko and Midwest Fastener Corp., one of the biggest advantages of the Partner Pavilion was the opportunity to have the kinds of conversations you can’t have at busy trade shows. Schreiber says retailers spent much of the event asking about changes in the marketplace, including product availability and what’s currently in stock. Just as valuable, he says, is having the time to discuss those questions face to face. “You don’t get a chance to spend face-to-face time at the bigger shows with these people,” Schreiber says. “This a lot more intimate setting.” Loss prevention dominated the conversations at the Watcher Total Protection booth in the Partner Pavilion, according to president Nathan Looman and vice president Laura Freeman. Freeman says retailers continue to express growing concern over theft and are looking for practical solutions as shoplifting and organized retail crime remain persistent challenges. For Watcher, the IHI Conference has consistently been about building

PAINT & DECORATING RETAILER | September 2026

relationships. Now attending its third IHI Conference, the company says the event has helped connect it with retailers who later became customers. Looman also notes that IHI’s technology focus makes it a natural fit for companies introducing technology-driven solutions to independent retailers. The Partner Pavilion also hosted NHPA’s Retailers’ Choice Awards, where all of the winning products were displayed. A panel of independent retailers browses the show floor at spring buying markets, including wholesaler and distributor shows and NHS Concept to Commerce, looking for products they think would perform well in their operations. This panel chooses the Retailers’ Choice winners based on what products they think will be best-sellers in their stores.

Learning From the Industry’s Leaders

Attendees gained practical knowledge, discovered industry trends and gleaned leadership insights from the IHI Conference’s breakout sessions covering four tracks: employee engagement; retail operations and technology; marketing, merchandising and management; and executive leadership. In the session “Operational Agility: Building Retail Operations for an Ever-Changing Market,” NHPA’s president Scott Wright led a panel discussion with Black Mountain Consulting principal Bob Levitan and LJB Advisors founder Jeremy Melnick. The trio explored the foundational elements of modern retail operations and how independent businesses can design systems that adapt to change rather than react to it. “I know it’s going to sound odd, but I would focus on the financial statements and make sure you’re liquid,” Melnick says. “Once you have your equity found, then you focus on getting your inventory set and focus on your customer service. It’s the basic fundamentals.”

Bloom Retail founder Mike Aylen shared two sessions on margin management and the ways retailers can gain margin in all different areas of their operations. “People say to me, ‘What’s the easiest way to know if a store is losing margin?’ and I say, ‘Go into their back room.’ If there is stuff everywhere, they’re losing margin,” Aylen says. “So a well-organized storeroom is a huge thing to have.”

Timely Topics to Take Home

After lunch each day, attendees converged to the main stage for the general session. NHPA COO Dan Tratensek took a comprehensive look at the current state of the independent home improvement channel, highlighting key trends, challenges and opportunities shaping the industry. During the session, Helmets to Home Improvement Panel: From Hero to Hardware, NHPA editor and director of content development Lindsey Thompson brought together three Helmets to Home Improvement honorees: Outsider CEO Sam Mackey, Porters Building Centers COO Alex Porter and Cox Hardware & Lumber vice president and inventory manager Taylor Cox. They shared their stories of military service, the transition to the independent channel and how the military shaped their views on leadership. “Imagine the perfect employee, somebody who knows how to be on time, is mission-focused and respectful and has the tools and training to accomplish almost anything given—that’s a military veteran,” Cox says. “They’re just great employees.” Moderated by NHPA president Scott Wright, the session Aligning

Strategy, Structure and Opportunity for Growth explored how independent home improvement retailers can position themselves for sustainable growth by aligning business strategy, organizational structure and emerging market opportunities. Panelists included Matt Nichols, VP of branch operations and retail sales for Koopman Lumber, and Jared Brown, director of business intelligence for Aubuchon Hardware. Opening up the Day 2 general session, Home Improvement Research Institute (HIRI) executive director Dave King presented Recalibration, Not Retreat: Unpacking Macroeconomics’ Impact on the Independent Channel. He outlined the current state of the home improvement industry and shed light on where the industry is headed and how economic factors are impacting the independent channel. Bringing together honorees from each of the Independents Awards Gala awards programs, the Raising the Bar in Retail panel shared their stories of success. The panel featured The Helpful Hardware Company CEO David Enmark, Tweedy Hardware & Lumber business manager Shannon Davis Morrow, Beaufort Hardware & Paint Company owner Tommy Simpson and West Whittier Paint Co. general manager Sean Downey. “It’s going to take younger people making careers out of home improvement for this industry to succeed. We have to do whatever we have to do to show that this is a good livelihood, that there’s no limit to how high you can go,” Simpson says. “It’s all there right in front of them. And thankfully the future for all of us is bright because there’s a lot of kids coming out of college who see this industry as a career.”

Wrapping up the main stage sessions, the panel Shaping the Future of Independent Retail mapped out how two retailers are leaning into e-commerce and experiential retail to differentiate, adapt and scale in a competitive landscape. Bogucki Enterprises COO Anthony Bogucki shared best practices for making e-commerce successful, and Sullivan’s Hardware owner Pat Sullivan dove into how store experiences bring in customers and create a work environment that draws employees. “When I took over the store from my father, I wanted the store to be more than just a convenience hardware store,” Sullivan says. “I wanted, and still want, people to be excited about coming to our store.”

The Stars Come Out

Bringing together three of the industry’s biggest awards—NHPA’s Top Guns Awards and Young Retailer of the Year Awards and the Hardware Connection’s Beacon Awards—the Independents Awards Gala celebrated the best of the best in the industry. “Every time one retailer, one partner or one leader raises the bar, our entire industry becomes stronger because of it. The Independent Awards Gala was our opportunity to pause, recognize those achievements and simply say thank you,” says NHPA director of education and training and gala co-host Cody Goeppner. “We celebrated outstanding retailers through the Top Gun Awards, recognized exceptional retailers and their partners through the Beacon Awards and celebrated the future of our industry through the Young Retailer of the Year Awards. The gala was the perfect way to celebrate the industry’s best.”

September 2026 | PAINT & DECORATING RETAILER

RATI O N

Renter-Friendly

RETAIL

How Independent Retailers Can Embrace Renters as an Untapped Audience BY LINDSEY THOMPSON

hile they aren’t engaging in DIY projects at quite the same frequency as homeowners, renters are an untapped audience for independent retailers. The Home Improvement Research Institute’s (HIRI) Renter’s Home Improvement Activity Study took a closer look at renters’ attitudes and habits when it comes to DIY projects. According to the study, renters are looking for affordable, high-impact, quick improvements. Renters focus their home improvement projects in the kitchen and bathroom, areas of the home where comfort reigns. HIRI’s Renter’s Home Improvement Activity Study found that 38% of renters choose to tackle DIY projects in

PAINT & DECORATING RETAILER | September 2026

the kitchen and 32% take on bathroom projects. Comparatively, 27% of homeowners choose kitchen projects and 24% of homeowners did bathroom projects. Renters are also more likely to perform DIY projects themselves rather than turning to contractors. On average, the HIRI study found that 71% of renters did all their own DIY work compared to 55% of homeowners. Compared to homeowners, renters are also planning more DIY projects, with 56% of renters and 45% of homeowners looking to do home maintenance, 43% of renters and 30% of homeowners tackling home repair and 28% of renters and 25% of homeowners doing remodeling projects.

September 2026 | PAINT & DECORATING RETAILER

Top Factors in Selecting Home Improvement Products Renters

The Products Renters Want Renters currently prefer mass retailers and digital channels to find inspiration and shop and want guidance-focused content, something independent retailers already offer. Retailers can also tailor their product selection to target home renters by offering affordable, DIY products for those looking to make small, renter-friendly upgrades, including products like: • Peel & Stick Wallpaper • Artificial Plants • Room Dividers • Mirrors • Rugs • Wall Art

38%

Price

23%

Quality Aesthetics

11%

Ease of Install

11%

Homeowners

33%

Quality

31%

Price Aesthetics Ease of Install

11% 8%

• String Lights • Floating Shelves • Wall Decals • Peel & Stick Backsplash • Curtains • Hardware • Nail-Free Picture Hanging Tools

Top Reasons for Home Improvement Activity Renters Sustainability

17%

Accommodate Life’s Changes

12%

Home Value

12%

Homeowners

29%

Home Value Sustainability Accommodate Life’s Changes

15% 8%

Source: Renter’s Home Improvement Activity Study, Home Improvement Research Institute

40 PAINT & DECORATING RETAILER | September 2026

Scan on the QR code for more information and to register for DIY CON 2026.

Getting Social With Renters One of the easiest ways to reach renters to share that you carry the products they need for their home maintenance and remodeling projects is through social media. Waters Hardware in Manhattan, Kansas, uses this method to let its customers know that they have adhesive hooks for renters to be able to hang items on the walls without causing any damage. Each year, Taylor Hardware in Belmar, New Jersey, a go-to spot for customers with summer vacation rentals, also utilizes social media to share the store carries the products—from lightbulbs to spare keys—renters need for their properties.

DIY CON Redefines the DIY Experience This Fall, DIY CON will debut in Dallas from Nov. 6-8. DIY CON will combine hands-on workshops, community and creativity to redefine modern DIY experiences and projects, transforming the traditional trade show and inviting DIYers of all skill levels to try out premium tools, learn from leading creators, meet and greet with their favorite celebrities, TV personalities and DIY stars and leave with the confidence and skills to bring their next project to life. “DIY CON is not the traditional trade show, but an immersive experience where attendees are the ones who roll up their sleeves and do it themselves,” says Hector Morfin-Chong, event director. “This isn’t about scrolling through finished projects online, but about being the person who dreams it, sketches it and builds projects that come to life. Whether you’re learning to lay tile, refining woodshopping skills or looking to build community in the DIY industry, we want every attendee to walk away inspired and ready to create.” DIY CON attendees will enjoy hands-on workshops led by industry experts, spaces for collaboration, mentorship and shared creativity and interactive brand experiences with new

products and tools designed to make challenging DIY projects feel fun and within reach. The event will feature an inspiring lineup of content creators who will lead workshops, speak at main stage sessions and share stories of transformation. This year’s guests and presenters include Drew and Jonathan Scott, the hosts of Property Brothers and Celebrity IOU on HGTV, YouTube DIY sensation Mr. Kate and DIY experts April Wilkerson, Dan Maxey, Ashley Tate Basnight, Sam Raimondi, David Hopkins and Anika Gandhi. “We’re planning an exciting exhibitor list with the home improvement brands you know and love, as well as some you may have yet to discover. We’re developing free workshops led by pros so that you’ll leave the event with even stronger skills, opportunities to interact with A-Listers from the DIY community that may leave you a little starstruck and community hangouts for new connections,” says RX community and experience manager Dani Caruso. “This is the first convention of its kind: a celebration of makers, where we can all get messy, play with tools, get inspired and learn about our passions.”

September 2026 | PAINT & DECORATING RETAILER

CA T

O RY F O

Spick & Span F

Turning the Clean-Up Category Into Steady Repeat Business

or independent paint retailers, selling products for an entire paint project from start to finish is an essential practice. Bringing your customers’ projects to life involves more than just paint, and stocking sponges, rags and cleaning products helps them see any project through from beginning to end and can bring in additional cashflow to your operation. At Mt. Prospect Paint in Mt. Prospect, Illinois, the cleaning product category is a well-thought-out section serving both professional contractors and homeowners. Vicki Ortega, Mt. Prospect Paint co-manager, and her knowledgeable staff have found ways to keep this category profitable by listening to their customers.

Made-to-Order

From 4-pound bags of rags to various types of eraser sponges to professional-grade cleaning powders, Mt. Prospect is well-stocked with a full cleaning section.

Rags are the top sellers for the store, mainly sold in bulk. The store also sells a variety of sponges including natural sea salt sponges, soil sponges and abrasive cleaning pads. Cleaning products at Mt. Prospect fall under both core and impulse sales, making this category a versatile and worthwhile category to invest in. Ortega says this category presents a prime opportunity to win repeat customers, as many cleaning items need to be replaced frequently. The store stocks a robust number of products in this category, but also special orders items to fill specific customers’ needs. “We have ordered some of our more professional cleaning products specifically for customers,” Ortega says. “We also carry a couple specific products that really only one type of customer uses, but they use these products frequently. For example, we sold a bleach cleaner that got rid of mold and mildew, and a local apartment complex would order that constantly.”

Setup for Success Intentional visual merchandising draws customers to shelves, ultimately leading them to purchase a product or consider a future purchase. Consider these visual merchandising techniques when setting up your cleaning product section: Eco-friendly With many cleaning product manufacturers turning to more sustainably-made products, capitalize on this trend by creating a themed endcap or shelf display featuring recyclable materials and items that connect the customer to nature, like plants, to display your sustainable cleaning items. Interactive displays Construct a hands-on display with a few tester products to let customers try an item before they purchase. Interactive displays also provide time for employees to explain a product to a customer in more detail. Room-centric Organizing your cleaning products and tools by the task they are used for or the type of room they can be used in simplifies the shopping process for customers, allowing them to grab multiple items they need for their project in one area of the store.

42 PAINT & DECORATING RETAILER | September 2026

September 2026 | PAINT & DECORATING RETAILER

Selling Small Selling a smaller category like cleaning tools sometimes requires getting creative. At Columbia Paint & Wallcovering in Columbia, Tennessee, co-owner Zach Maddux and his team have perfected best practices to boost rag and applicator sales and keep new products coming into this category. 1. Target Cabinet Shops to Increase Rag Sales The applicators, sponges and rags category presents numerous opportunities for various cross-merchandising, which leads to add-on sales. Maddux has increased the number of stain and lacquer products the store carries by bringing in more business from cabinet shops and furniture manufacturers, which grew lacquer sales and in turn, rag sales. “Cabinet refinishing and painting has also become trendy with DIYers in the last few years, boosting rag and applicator sales even more,” Maddux says. “We make sure to stock the products needed for those projects and steer DIYers in the right direction when we can.” 2. Find New Products Through Contractors, Vendor Reps and Other Friends In the Industry Columbia Paint & Wallcovering’s building used to be a grocery store, so it is larger than the average paint store and can merchandise a wider variety

Merchandise With Intent

By grouping related items strategically, retailers can ensure cleanup products remain highly visible. At Mt. Prospect Paints, cleaning products have their own sections based on use but the sections are near each other so customers can easily find what they need. “The main cleaning product section, including items like spray cleaners and similar products, are all on one 4-foot endcap,” Ortega says. “Paint thinner and lacquer thinner are displayed in a different, smaller section and the rags and sponges are on a shelf right next to that. Everything is highly visible so customers can see it all.”

Know Your Customer

While many cleaning products are universal across various uses and types, professional and DIY customers shop

44 PAINT & DECORATING RETAILER | September 2026

of products. Thanks to this selection, it has become a destination for applicators for some customers, Maddux says. “Any time a painter comes in and asks for a specific brush we don’t have, we add it to our mix,” Maddux says. “We have painters come from out of town to browse this category because it is so extensive and offers the largest selection for miles.” Using contacts in the industry can also keep you up to date on the newest product trends. “Our vendor representatives always recommend new products and let us know how similar retailers are doing with specific products,” Maddux says. “Having good relationships with vendors can lead to free samples of products you can give to painters to increase loyalty. We’re also friends with other paint store owners throughout the country and get recommendations from them.” 3. Counter Displays Can Make a Difference Maddux says he was against counter displays at first because he thought they made the area cluttered. “I have a vendor that recently sent me a counter display for one-pound bags of rags,” Maddux says. “I decided to give it a shot and put the display box on the counter. It’s done surprisingly well, and now we’re constantly restocking it.”

this section differently at Mt. Prospect Paints. Ortega says contractors have a more specific list or need when shopping for cleaning supplies while homeowners often don’t know exactly what they’re looking for, needing employees to provide assistance. “Our DIY customers will often give us pieces of what they’ve found their project needs from Chat GPT or other AI platforms and ask us what products they’re supposed to use,” Ortega says. “Our job then is to back up and say, ‘What are you trying to accomplish?’” New products at Mt. Prospect Paints are typically sourced from the customers themselves. “Usually, one of the main ways we’ll source anything new is by listening to customers,” Ortega says. “We then research if that product is going to fit our general population to see if it is something that will work for us.”

Have Questions? Contact Cody Goeppner at cgoeppner@YourNHPA.org

Your Daily Dose of Microtraining NHPA’s RetailWise Plus, an AI-powered program, delivers 365 two-minute lessons in English, Spanish and French-Canadian. Built for independent hardware, paint and lumber retailers, it fits seamlessly into your store’s day—no long classes, no complicated schedules. Strengthen skills, service and team culture, one lesson at a time.

WHAT’S NEW

“Two minutes may seem short, but when that time is intentional and focused, it becomes incredibly powerful. These micro-lessons help retailers strengthen their teams without pulling them off the salesfloor.”

365+ Microtraining Videos 14 Educational Categories 100% Device Accessibility Seasonal & Quarterly Updates

Subscribe Today! Scan the QR Code to sign up for RetailWise Plus or visit YourNHPA.org/retailwise.

Cody Goeppner Director of Education and Training, NHPA

S M A KE

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Sherwin-Williams Expands Digital Alliance With Square

quare recently joined the Sherwin-Williams Digital Alliance Program as the company’s payment solutions partner. The program gives Sherwin-Williams PRO+ customers access to vetted digital tools that help streamline operations, grow their businesses and take advantage of exclusive savings and offers. For professional painters, contractors and designers, running a thriving business extends far beyond the painting. Managing estimates, scheduling jobs, collecting payments on-site or remotely and keeping clients informed from first consultation

through final invoice are essential touchpoints to manage. Square for Services, Square’s all-in-one business management platform purpose-built for service professionals, was designed to handle this administration. With Square, Sherwin-Williams PRO+ customers can send custom estimates and professional invoices, accept a wide range of payment methods including credit and debit cards, ACH bank transfers and contactless options. They can also manage client relationships through an integrated customer directory and messaging tools, all from Square’s single platform.

46 PAINT & DECORATING RETAILER | September 2026

“We’re thrilled to be part of the Sherwin-Williams Digital Alliance Program and to put Square’s tools directly in front of the skilled trade professionals who power this industry,” says Morgan Kuntze, global partnerships lead at Block. “Professional painters and contractors work incredibly hard on site, and the last thing they should have to worry about is getting paid or managing paperwork behind the scenes. Square for Services was built to take that burden off their plate so they can focus on their craft and bring to life the projects at hand.”

AVAILABLE SOON ENDURATREAD HIGH PERFORMANCE CLEAR COATING

ADD-A-LINE Today

• High margin dollars • Independents only • Not sold in box stores In-store POS Marketing Materials for Participating Dealers For more product information call 800•432•0983. Paint Trusted for Generations

A Member of the Star Step

Performance Coatings Group

EST. 1954

MADE IN THE USA

NETWORK

Make a Plan CALENDAR

Visit YourNHPA.org/cal to find more industry events online.

Industry Events SEPT Home Hardware Fall Homecoming September 16-18 | TORONTO, CANADA

Blish-Mize Fall Buying Event September 17-19 | OVERLAND PARK, KS

Ace Hardware September 22-24 | ORLANDO, FL

This index is provided for the convenience of our advertisers and readers. The publisher assumes no liability for errors or omissions.

American Hardware & Lumber Insurance............ 25 americanhli.com Benjamin Moore........................................................................IBC benjaminmoore.com ECI................................................................................................................ 25 ecisolutions.com

Do it Best and True Value September 25–28 | INDIANAPOLIS, IN

Wallace Fall Dealer Market

Golden Paint Works..................................................................... 3 handyscribe.com

September 30-October 1 | SEVIERVILLE, TN

2027 Independent Home Improvement Conference.............................................IFC YourNHPA.org/ihiconference OCT Hardlines Conference October 20-21 | OTTAWA, ON

LMC Expo October 28-30 | PHILADELPHIA, PA

NHPA Foundations............................................................... 49 YourNHPA.org/foundations NHPA RetailWise Plus........................................................45 YourNHPA.org/retailwise Midwest Fastener.................................................................... 25 fastenerconnection.com Old Masters......................................................................................7 oldmasters.com Richards Paint............................................................................47 richardspaint.com

Stay Informed Scan the QR code to see our full list of industry events. To add your event to the industry calendar, send an email to editorial@YourNHPA.org.

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PPG............................................................................................................BC plmins.com Shurtape............................................................................................. 5 frogtape.com Wooster Brush Co.................................................................. 25 woosterbrush.com

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Apply proven merchandising practices that improve the customer experience, strengthen execution and support sales.

MERCHANDISING MANAGEMENT

Strategies for Buyers Develop stronger buying, assortment planning and vendor management strategies to support profitability and long-term growth.

Mentoring Learn how to build effective mentoring relationships that develop employees, transfer knowledge and strengthen your leadership pipeline.

COMING SOON

Explore the Foundations Program and enroll your team—scan the QR code or visit YourNHPA.org/Foundations.

Foundations of Succession Planning Prepare your business for the future with practical guidance for developing leaders, transferring knowledge and planning a successful transition.

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OPERATIONS

Embracing the Future Read how many retailers are embracing next generation engagement at PDRmag.com/looking-ahead.

Generation Next NHPA Publishing Intern on What Gen-Z Wants in an Employer BY ZOE BENSON

tarting a new job can be hard. You have to learn how the business runs and meet new people all while trying to prove that you belong there, all while trying to hold off a case of imposter syndrome in the process. When I first started working at NHPA, I was excited to start working there, however, I developed a case of imposter syndrome. I feared I wasn’t living up to the expectations of the people I was working with. I think this is a common experience among Gen Z. When starting a new job, we fear we won’t meet the expectations people have of us. Thankfully, my imposter syndrome left as quickly as it came thanks to the people around me. The people at NHPA are very friendly and kind. Whenever I came to sit downstairs, they always invited me to join their conversations. I also would receive positive feedback about my work from those around me. However, during this time, I also learned to get myself out of my imposter syndrome rather than relying solely on others to help me. I learned to stop fearing something bad would happen and focus on the good things that could happen. When I would make suggestions on things to edit, I worried that others would hate my ideas or they wouldn’t accept them because they would think they are silly. Before I let those thoughts get too far, I changed my mindset. I started asking the questions: What if they really like this idea? What if they accept it? What if it makes the story better? I also reminded myself that it isn’t the

PAINT & DECORATING RETAILER | September 2026

end of the world if I have a bad idea. I also learned to be confident in my abilities. I knew I had the drive to be excellent and the experience to back it up. I had to learn that my abilities are enough and remind myself that I was here for a reason; they were interested in what I had to bring to the magazine. NHPA showed me that I didn’t have to feel out of place or fear I am not good enough, which I think is something Gen Z wants to find in their jobs. They want a place where they don’t have to feel like an imposter. They want a place where they can be creative and let themselves shine through their work. When it comes to professional jobs, I think Gen Z fears that they will have to dim the light that's inside of them. They want a work place that will let me be themselves and let them show their coworkers their personality. This is something I found at NHPA. I felt like I was able to be myself with those around me and in my work. It’s something I hope other Gen Zers experience too.

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